&pizza this week sparked outrage, controversy and boycott threats when it released a new menu item, the Marion Berry Knots, that parodied former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Barry’s alleged use of crack cocaine more than 30 years ago. The late Barry’s widow swiftly denounced the item, which has since been removed from &pizza’s menu, as “racist and disrespectful.”
Warren Thompson, who oversees the restaurant company behind D.C.-based Wiseguy Pizza, wasn’t amused either.
Thompson is president and chairman of the Black-owned Thompson Hospitality, which has eight Wiseguy Pizza locations in the D.C. metro area. According to a press release, Wiseguy Pizza “is taking a different approach to honor the legacy of the late Mayor Marion Barry.”
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Starting on October 23 and continuing through next month, a portion of sales from every Wiseguy Pizza store will be donated to the Marion Barry Jr. Legacy Foundation, Thompson said in a statement.
“As someone who knew Marion Barry personally, I am offended by the recent promotion,” Thompson said in a statement. “It is deeply inappropriate to use his name and legacy in such a disrespectful manner. Marion Barry was a pivotal figure in Washington, D.C., and we will be donating a portion of all Wiseguy Pizza sales through the end of November to the Marion Barry Legacy Foundation to show our support.”
According to the foundation’s website, it was founded in 2019 “to protect and advance the legacy and policies of Marion Barry Jr. and to educate the public about the contributions and history of Marion Barry. Funds raised though the Barry Place Store are used to advance the work of the Foundation in educating and uplifting people and communities and championing access to opportunities for all.”
Earlier this week, &pizza announced the limited-time menu item, which &pizza CEO Mike Burns called “a playful addition to our menu,” adding that “it’s up to our guests to decide if they’ve crossed any lines.”
Many decided exactly that. The campaign, including a press release, not so subtly made fun of the late mayor’s 1990 arrest for crack, leading to criticism from at least two city council members and a protest at which demonstrators called for an apology and a boycott of &pizza. The backlash prompted a response today from Burns, who said in a statement, “Candidly, we made a mistake. And for that, we sincerely apologize.” He said the Marion Berry Knots had been removed from the menu at all &pizza stores.
Thompson Hospitality owns a total of 15 restaurant brands and 70-plus locations, including Wiseguy Pizza and Matchbox, a pizza chain with locations in Virginia, Maryland and Florida. According to its website, Thompson Hospitality is the largest Black-owned foodservice company and one of the largest retail food and facilities management companies in the U.S.
