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Lloyd apologizes again following food truck controversy backlash

Lloyd co-founder Chris Dorsaneo and Peter Cimino apologized a second time after a controversy erupted over its visit to a federal detention facility in Batavia.
Chris Caya
/
WBFO News
Lloyd co-founder Chris Dorsaneo and Peter Cimino apologized a second time after a controversy erupted over its visit to a federal detention facility in Batavia.

After setting off a social media firestorm last week, the owners of Lloyd are apologizing again. The controversy started when the taco company was criticized for sending one of its food trucks to serve lunch outside the federal immigration facility in Batavia. In its first response to complaints, the company said it made "an honest mistake" and had "a lapse in judgment."

But that didn't sit well with workers at the facility, other local law enforcement and some elected officials. On Monday, Lloyd co-founder Pete Cimino said the apology was "hasty" and the company reacted too quickly to the criticism it initially received.

At a news conference at Lloyd Taco Factory on Hertel Avenue alongside co-founder Chris Dorsaneo and a group of Lloyd workers, Cimino said the company "makes lunch and dinner, not policy" and serves all communities and all neighborhoods.

"We are not political. Why would we be? How can any business choose sides in our politically-divided country and ever hope to succeed?," Cimino said.

Cimino said Lloyd received more than 5,000 negative comments on social media from both sides of the political spectrum.

"We respect their right to express their opinions. That's something that makes this great country great," he said.

Cimino said three truck visits were canceled in recent days, adding "We were not prepared for the anger directed toward us." Asked if Lloyd would serve lunch again at the detention facility, he declined to "answer hypotheticals."

Cimino noted the company has provided a 50% discount to all uniformed first responders since its founding in Buffalo nearly 10 years ago.

Lloyd operates two brick-and-mortar restaurants, with a third on its way on Elmwood Avenue, along with four food trucks. It was a pioneer in Buffalo's food truck movement, launching its first mobile eatery in 2010.

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