We use PHP for our backend stuff. We've been using our own custom framework for years, but are in the process of migrating to Laravel now (something we really should have done much earlier).

I can understand the hate for PHP. As it is easy to pick up and because it doesn't enforce good coding practices, PHP has become a magnet for poorly capable programmers. In fact, one of our great challenges is that the majority of candidates who apply for PHP Software Engineer (SE) positions are barely capable of programming in the first place.

At the end of the day, what matters is the skill of the tech team. A team of SEs with strong coding skills and well thought out engineering/architectural practices can create systems that are well-built, scalable and maintainable, regardless of language. Conversely, no programming language or framework can compensate for a lack of skill or poor knowledge of good engineering practices.