Chipotle hit with federal subpoena; PR pros offer crisis management help
The Mexican food chain must turn over records related to a norovirus outbreak in California. Although leaders from both entities aren’t commenting, PR folks on Twitter are offering their expertise.
They say social media is a place of sharing.
At least two public relations companies have offered to provide crisis communications expertise to Chipotle. On Wednesday, news broke that the chain’s Simi Valley, California, restaurant is being investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the state health department. The restaurant was cited for pest control, sanitation and maintenance violations last summer. About 230 people who dined at the establishment developed norovirus, a nasty stomach bug that causes vomiting, diarrhea and other gastric distress.
Can crisis communicators help the struggling chain get through the mess and recover? It doesn’t hurt to ask:
In the past few months, Chipotle executives and spokesman Chris Arnold have tried to quell concerns about food handling and safety. Numerous states have dealt with norovirus and E.coli outbreaks, which shuttered restaurants and caused company stock prices to tumble. RELATED: Keep your cool in a crisis with these 13 tips.
The subpoena brings a new twist to crisis PR, because Arnold and his team—along with federal investigators—are not allowed to comment on ongoing legal cases.
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