The sign at a Pizza Hut location, which is owned by Yum Brands Inc, is pictured ahead of their company results in Pasadena, California U.S., July 11, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni - RTSHGTN (Reuters)
Pizza Hut in Taiwan set off a wave of controversy after posting a Facebook advertisement offering “killer” deals on their food.
The campaign ran ahead of a five-day observation of the “February 28 incident” in remembrance of a government uprising that came to a violent end when thousands were killed on Feb. 28, 1947.
As many as 50,000 civilians were killed by then Taiwanese leader Chiang Kai-shek.
Pizza Hut's social media team decided to ask diners if they were "Ready to celebrate 2/28?" in an ad which first ran Thursday, reports Taiwan News. But the promo also had a line that referenced to its newly reduced pizza prices as “killer.”
“The most killer deal in Pizza Hut's history is on offer for a limited time only: For every takeaway large pizza you order online, we'll throw in two small pizzas and one 8-pc BBQ chicken for free," the chain said in the ad, according to China Post.
“Hurry and click to order. Enjoy the precious extended holiday with us — a pizza in one hand and BBQ chicken in the other!”
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Those who saw the ad, both in Taiwan and overseas, took to social media to vent their anger and shock.
@pizzahut Taiwan Pizza Hut 'celebrating and promoting' on day of remembrance for the massacre of thousands in Taiwan is utterly disgusting.😡
— Sean Su (@taiwansu) February 28, 2017
After the ad went viral, the chain apologized and changed the wording to ask customers if they were simply “Ready for the holiday?”
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