Phantom Gourmet, Mendon Twin Owner Quits After Social Media Flap

MENDON, MA — Phantom Gourmet host and Mendon Twin co-owner Dave Andelman on Tuesday resigned from both companies following a weekend uproar over social media comments he made about recent protests.

The announcement was made Phantom Gourmet's Facebook page. Andelman will "relinquish ownership" of the company and step down from activity related to the Mendon Twin, the statement said.

"I’m proud of the company my brother Dave helped build and for all our show has done on behalf of local restaurants and employees in the food service industry, especially during this challenging time," Dan Andelman said in the post. "But, Dave’s recent social media statements made it clear that he cannot stay in a leadership role or any role with this company."

Screenshots of Andelman's Twitter and Facebook posts emerged over the weekend, causing WBZ to put the Phantom Gourmet show on hiatus. A protest was planned in front of the Mendon Twin for this Saturday.

The flap also hurt Andelman's plans to open a drive-in theater in Marshfield. The Marshfield Fairgrounds cut ties with him on Tuesday over the posts.

Read: Phantom Gourmet On Forced Hiatus After CEO's Facebook Posts

The posts made in recent weeks show Andelman criticizing protests related to the killing of George Floyd and the larger Black Lives Matter movement.

"Maybe if looters set fire to restaurants, we could allow them to open for shish kebab and s'mores? MA govt doesn't seem to care about law abiding and hard working people. Sad," one post read.

"If the people who fought to create and defend this country knew politicians and police were 'taking a knee' after looting in major cities, while millions of law abiding citizens were denied the right to make a living, they'd jam bayonets into their own heads," another post read, according to a screenshot.

On top of Andelman resigning, Phantom Gourmet said it would work to promote black-owned restaurants, provide diversity training for employees, including about the Black Lives Matter movement, and conduct a "stem to stern" review of the corporate culture.

"Phantom Gourmet fans are the lifeblood of our company, and we deeply apologize that so many have been hurt," the statement said. "This is NOT what Phantom Gourmet is about and we are very sorry."