If I remember my business law course from many years ago, I don’t think they are free to make threats like that. You are not allowed to threaten someone with harm. It may vary from state to state, but you can be charged (battery, I believe) for that if you are capable of committing the act.
I was thinking more of the trashing they took on Yelp and the internet as well as in the media. I don't think anyone is free to make death threats or encourage people to burn the place down.