Ohio pizza shop raises eyebrows with 'hiring non-stupid people' sign

A pizzeria in Columbus, Ohio has raised eyebrows with their job hire sign.

The family-owned joint - Santino's Pizzeria - had placed a sign in their shop window that read: "Now Hiring Non-Stupid People." Little did the employers know this would generate some significant media buzz.

Jayden Donigan, the store's owner, revealed that most of their customers found the signage hilarious, stating (via CBS): "It's more humor than anything. It's not meant to target anyone or be rude."

She then revealed that she'd placed the sign there two months ago after becoming frustrated with the state of employees, having had previous employees demonstrating that they have little to no work ethic and that "finding good help has been difficult."

Heather Stockton, a manager at Santino's pizzeria, told WBNS that all they're asking for is simply an employee who is "just reliable, on time, just, don't come to work in like sandals." She also noted that they put up the sign after people were no-shows for job interviews or didn't take the work seriously.

Many people on social media have agreed with Donigan's move, and people opposing the sign appear hard to come by. One person wrote: "Biggest issue is that this narrows down the available pool of potential employees. By a lot."

"I think a few more restaurants need to go that route!" someone else added.

"You know what I'm knot [sic] even mad. For my job I hire people and I wish I could put this on applications. Aye if your [sic] offended don't apply," a further user chimed in.

Another tweet read: "Used to be signs on the doors. No shirt,No shoes,No backpacks,No business. Seems like a good thing to bring back."

Another user commended the pizzeria for their sign after his own favorite pizza place closed during COVID, writing: "The best pizza place where I live has been closed since covid. Can't get enough employees to reopen. Love the sign."

One Ohio resident interviewed by CBS told the outlet that she immediately understood the sign was meant to be humorous, stating: "I get where they're coming from [but] I don't think it's a bad idea. You want someone working here who's going to comprehend what's being ordered."

What do you think about the unique sign? Do you find it offensive or humorous? Let us know in the comments!

Featured image credit: Stefano Politi Markovina / Alamy