In Athens, Alabama, the owner of S&Z Grocery, Phillip Stewart, made headlines after taking a bold stand regarding certain Pepsi products in his store. Stewart recently noticed that bottles of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi were featuring the NFL logo, which he disagreed with on principle. Believing that the logo represented a disrespectful stance toward the country, he decided to remove the affected bottles from his shelves.
Stewart explained his decision in interviews and on social media, saying, “I can’t in good conscience sell the product because it does have the logo on it.” He acknowledged that the move might cost him business, but emphasized that his values and beliefs mattered more than profit. While he understood that the players’ actions were meant as a protest, he felt there were better ways to handle their concerns.
The removal only affected the specific bottles with the NFL logo; the store continues to sell other Pepsi products. Stewart’s decision sparked a response from the local community, with many customers expressing support for his stance. They praised him for standing firm on his principles and aligning his business decisions with his personal values.
According to his distributor, the NFL-branded bottles were expected to remain in production through the Super Bowl, so the ban would last for a limited period. Still, Stewart’s firm stance drew attention and highlighted how small business owners can make significant statements through the products they choose to sell. His actions show that, for some, values and beliefs can outweigh profit in business decisions.
