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Pizza shop sparks backlash after putting up 'now hiring non-stupid people' sign

Pizza shop sparks backlash after putting up 'now hiring non-stupid people' sign

The owner has spoken out about the debate over the controversial sign

A pizza shop has gone viral after erecting a sign promoting jobs for 'non-stupid people'.

Santino's Pizza sparked a bit of controversy recently when someone spotted the tongue-in-cheek sign hanging outside the Ohio eatery:

Referencing the struggle they've had recruiting the right people, the advert reads: "Now hiring non-stupid people."

Now, while the sign was actually put up a few months ago, it's only now getting some attention after a photo of it was posted online. As is often the way these days.

And while lots of people thought it was pretty funny, not everyone is a fan of the humour.

"If that's the first impression you choose to make as a business owner, don't complain when your employees leave," said one critic.

Another commented: "Why do managers feel they aren’t a part of the solution? Why not help others learn how to do their jobs better and offer up coaching and mentoring?

The sign has sparked a debate among some.
NBC4 Columbus/YouTube

"Seems a more humanitarian solution would solve a couple of the problems the sign eludes to."

"If a teacher of the owner's children called him or stupid because they didn't get all the answers correct on a test, I'm sure we would have been talking about unfair, unprofessional," put a third.

Others seemed to see the funny side of it all, though.

"Perfect, it's about time a restaurant did something like this," said one fan.

"If you're offended by it then maybe you are part of the problem and the sign was meant for you."

Someone else chipped in: "I totally understand. Very hard to find young people that can actually function in the work place."

"Damn, everyone is so PC and woke and get their little feelings hurt," a third chimed. "I think this is both honest and funny."

I'm unsure as to whether or not the placement of the ad here is ironic.
NBC4 Columbus/YouTube

While another added: "If the sign simply said, 'Help Wanted', the perpetually offended would say, 'You're showing hate to the poor, unemployed people', or some garbage. I love the sign!"

Following the backlash, Jayden Dunigan, whose family owns the restaurant, told WSYX that they were just having a laugh.

He told the outlet that they had been spending a lot of the time and money on training new employees only to have them not even turn up for work.

Dunigan said: “A lot of the people we’ve hired just don’t want to work.

"There is no work ethic behind them, so that’s the meaning behind the ‘non-stupid'."

LADbible has contacted Santino's for comment.

Featured Image Credit: NBC4 Columbus

Topics: US News, Viral, YouTube