Mayor Zohran Mamdani did a “mukbang”-style livestream video — munching on Taco Bell and Dunkin’ — to announce an $1.5 million settlement against franchises of the fast food giants Tuesday.
The democratic socialist mayor and his Department of Consumer and Worker Protections Commissioner Sam Levine detailed the deal while scarfing down Crunchwrap Supremes, Baja Blasts, Munchkins and a Mexican-style pizza during a YouTube livestream.
Mukbang is a popular YouTube format where hosts eat large amounts of food while discussing topics.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani did a “mukbang”-style video — munching on Taco Bell and Dunkin’ — to announce an $1.8 million settlement against franchises of the fast food giants Tuesday. NYC Mayor's Office/ Youtube“Thank you to the workers who made this,” Hizzoner said while taking a large bite of the Crunchwrap.
“I’m gonna give it a try,” Levine said as he chowed down, too.
“I don’t want to be like the McDonald’s CEO,” he added, referencing Chris Kempczinski, who recently got mocked for trying to house the company’s newest super-sized burger in a social media video.
The franchises will pay up after facing allegations of labor law violations, including changing workers’ schedules arbitrarily and forcing employees to open stores right after closing them the previous night without paying them premiums.
While reporters were barred from physically attending the announcement, reporters were allowed to post their questions in the YouTube live chat — but most of their queries were ignored as the mayor fielded softballs from viewers such as “Sour cream or no?”
Hizzoner bizarrely admitted that he “even likes sour cream with steak.”
The democratic socialist mayor and his Department of Consumer and Worker Protections Commissioner Sam Levine (right) detailed the deal that’ll pay out 830 workers during a YouTube livestream. NYC Mayor's Office/ YoutubeSome New Yorkers panned the 34-year-old mayor’s social media stunt as “cringe,” and it recalled former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s awkward press conference noshing on a Shake Shack burger for breakfast while announcing free grub to New Yorkers who got vaccinated against COVID.
“I think it is cringe. It’s definitely cringe,” said Ella Stern, a 23-year-old college senior, in Washington Square Park.
New York native Odelia Jesselson, 22, said the awkwardness could be the point, helping to make Mamdani appear approachable to voters who feel disconnected from the political elite.
“So I feel like he’s kind of, he’s being relatable and even cringe on purpose. I think that’s the strategy going forward. I feel like it’s working,” she said.
“It’s funny that he’s posting this, but… there’s a wall you can hit where it is ‘oh, he’s not a serious person,’” she added. “You still want the mayor to be serious.”
Dunkin’ & Taco Bell franchisee Salz Management LLC will pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to roughly 760 workers — and some $155,000 in civil penalties and costs. Fashion retailer Theory will also shell out over $275,000 as part of the settlement for similar advance schedule violations, City Hall officials said.
The checks will range from $50 to over $10,000, officials said.
New York City law requires fast food workers to get at least 14 days notice before changing schedules without having to pay a premium.
The law also states that employees regardless of industry can only open a store after closing the previous night if they give explicit permission and are paid more than their typical wage.
The Mamdani admin announced that additional enforcement actions were filed Tuesday against a Staten Island-based Dunkin’ Donuts franchise.
— Additional reporting by Katherine Donlevy
