Buffalo Wild Wings apologized late Friday after its Twitter account posted crude and racist comments, which the company says was a result of a malicious hack.

The string of tweets began after 7:30 p.m. and went unchecked for about 20 minutes, according to NBC Chicago 5. The posts ranged in vulgarity, with one directed at Madeleine McCann, the young British girl who vanished from Portugal while on vacation in 2007, and film producer Tariq Nasheed, NBC Chicago 5 reported.

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"Buffalo Wild Wings' Twitter account was hacked," the Minneapolis-based company told USA TODAY in a statement. "We're sorry that our fans had to see those awful posts, which obviously did not come from us. We are in touch with our Twitter representatives and will pursue the appropriate action against the individuals involved."

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Known for its sports bar fare such as chicken wings, Buffalo Wild Wings was purchased in a deal finalized earlier this year by Roark Capital Group, which owns Arby's restaurant chain.

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