Something on the lighter side for a Friday: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the nice folks who brought you bunny-free cosmetics, ran up against People Eating Tasty Animals at the Domino's shareholders meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Detroit Free Press reported that PETA, which owns 39 shares of Domino's, presented a resolution to add vegan cheese and meat to the available toppings. The vote was 140,700 shares voting in favor of the resolution and 43.2 million shares voting against.
Tim McIntyre, a Domino's executive, told the Freep, "We're constantly looking at consumer trends and new things. There has been no sign of consumer demand. We know a little bit more about launching products than they do. We know a little more about running our company than they do."
McIntyre added that a vegan cheese was tested but it "didn't work out."
PETA wasn't fazed: "Presenting a resolution at an annual meeting still pays off," said spokesman David Byer a spokesperson for the group. "Often, we get to the point where (they) negotiate."
Then again, maybe not. At least not without a much larger investment in Domino's stock. 43.2 million shares opposed means they probably don't feel a need to negotiate.
PETA could try Papa John's but they probably wouldn't have any greater success: company founder and CEO John Schnatter was the one who threatened to raise pizza prices if Obama was reelected in 2012. Maybe if they could persuade Peyton Manning to become vegan. Though that might be tough; Manning's favorite food is hamburgers.
Pizza Hut is owned by Yum Brands and just introduced Bacon Mac & Cheese pizza; Pizza Inn is owned by Pizza Inn Holdings, based in The Colony, near Dallas, Texas.
Gatti's Pizza and Godfather's Pizza are both privately owned and there is no stock.
Or maybe, just maybe, they could choose their battles more wisely. California Pizza Kitchen offers vegan and gluten-free pizzas; perhaps another chain like that would be more amenable.