Local McDonald’s locations 'trash’ Buffalo (sauce) for Steelers playoff push
On Sunday, it will be 728 days since the last time the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared in a playoff game.
And while Steelers fans may be hungry for a postseason run, they will have to quench their hunger without the aid of a certain condiment from their local McDonald’s.
“I’m shutting down the Buffalo sauce this week just like the black and gold are going to stop the Bills on Sunday,” said Meghan Sweeney, McDonald’s franchise owner.
Sweeney, who owns and operates 22 local McDonald’s restaurants in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties, is halting the sale of Buffalo dipping sauce this week as a “fun promotion” to support the Steelers upcoming Super Wild Card game at Buffalo on Sunday.
Fans and McDonald’s employees said they are “loving this” support of their hometown team.
“It’s fun,” said customer Michelle Grouper, of Butler. “It’s a harmless way to promote the home team.”
Kayleigh Wilkinson a crew member at the 500 Greater Butler Mart location has been sporting her Terrible Towel all week. She said she “loves the idea.”
“I’m having so much fun with it,” said Wilkinson. “It’s a great way to show my fandom off.”
Stewart Branter, of Cranberry, who has been a Steelers fan for over 20 years, said he likes the idea and the camaraderie it brings among Steelers fans.
“Things are just better when (the Steelers) are winning,” said Branter.
Alec Damico, the general manager of the Greater Butler Mart McDonald’s location said fans of both teams are enjoying the promotion.
“There’s some Steelers fans that chuckle that we’re not selling the Buffalo sauce, so that’s awesome,” Damico said. “And I’ve had some Bills fans give me a couple of chuckles too. It’s been kind of a fun little thing that I think it’s making people happy and brighten their day.”
In lieu of Buffalo sauce, Wilkinson has been recommending the picante sauce to customers.
“We usually have them with the breakfast burritos,” Wilkinson said. “But if you’re looking for a little bit of spice, it’s similar to the Buffalo sauce. And we don’t charge for it.”
And while the Steelers are currently a two-score underdog to the Buffalo Bills, the McDonald’s crew is optimistic about the Steelers chance in pulling off the upset this weekend.
“I have high hopes, I really do, but I also like to be realistic too,” Wilkinson said. “I love Mason Rudolph as a quarterback, I think he’s definitely been a change of pace from Trubisky.”
Damico, who will be wearing his Ryan Shazier jersey and sporting his Terrible Towel during the game, shares the same optimism.
“According to everyone, there is absolutely no chance we win, but to most of the Pittsburgh fans, I think we all have a pretty good belief they can take any team down,” Damico said. “I mean, we beat the Bills in the preseason, I don’t know if anybody remembers that, but that was their starters versus ours.”
