Olive Garden can't seem to catch a break.The struggling Italian chain has been trying to revive declining sales by lowering prices and expanding its menu.
Despite its efforts, customer traffic plunged 13% in December and sales dropped 5.4% at restaurants open at least a year in the most recent quarter, according to preliminary estimates reported by the Associated Press.
Now, the company is unveiling a new logo and menu presentation, and the logo is getting battered on social media.
Here's the old logo, by comparison:
Executives from Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden, told analysts on a call Monday that they are confident the logo change will bring about a "brand Renaissance," according to the AP.
Here's a roundup of how people are reacting to the new look:
i hate the new olive garden logo. #StopOliveGarden2014
— Hannah (@hhawkes15) March 3, 2014
Holy shit, the new Olive Garden logo's script is terrible. It looks like a Design 1 student project. Hahaha! http://t.co/MerQBU7Owy
— Kara Haupt (@karahaupt) March 3, 2014
that new olive garden logo look like it was drawn with a breadstick.
— neil mccauley (@the_blueprint) March 3, 2014
I hope that @olivegarden's new logo is a joke because it looks like garbage. Sorry Olive Garden.
— Jon Huddleston (@jonhuddleston) March 3, 2014
@darth My theory is Olive Garden was drunk at a Poker Game and lost a crazy bet and now has to use that new logo.
— Richard W (@ilovaussiesheps) March 3, 2014
I WILL ADMIT THAT I'M GETTING TOO UPSET ABOUT A NEW OLIVE GARDEN LOGO BUT STILL THIS IS A HOT LOAD OF CRAP pic.twitter.com/d8rbPdOPAW
— Luke Waltermire (@luke_wal) March 3, 2014
The new Olive Garden logo looks like something off a crockpot from the 1970s. pic.twitter.com/g7Yp6eUJAq
— Katherine Miller (@katherinemiller) March 3, 2014
Whoa wtf Olive Garden why are you getting a new logo no pic.twitter.com/SECVHcdUke
— Alex PC (@AlexPC_3) March 3, 2014
Just NO RT @BuzzFeedFood: Olive Garden has a new logo that they think will lead a "brand renaissance." Yea or nay? http://t.co/9H207Qi9A8
— Susannah Chen (@susannahchen) March 3, 2014
Olive Garden is rebranding with a new logo. It'll now be a home decor company specializing in mid-priced hand towels. pic.twitter.com/GCOA3C2S7e
— Julian Kiani (@JulianKiani) March 3, 2014
wtf is this RT @candicechoi: Olive Garden unveils new logo. Will it help improve chain's image? pic.twitter.com/RBiVFYALR4
— Heather Schmelzlen (@anchorlines) March 3, 2014
Olive Garden has a new logo. It's... different. (via @BuzzFeed) http://t.co/y9J0UExH9u
— Lauren Sobon (@LSobon) March 3, 2014
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Reported by Business Insider 39 minutes ago.