"Once he tastes the chain's breadsticks, however, his eyes light up. "This is good," Salimei says, adding later after deciding that he liked his other dishes too that, "I feel like I'm betraying Italy right now." The series of five videos got more than 32.2 million views and 3.5 million likes."
"While Olive Garden has commented on several of the videos and reposted two to its own TikTok account, it seems like that's all the brand has done to lean into this marketing moment. Office supply brand Staples took the same approach after going viral last week for its employee nicknamed the "Staples baddie.""
"Most TikTok users agree with Salimei's favorable verdict. "Olive Garden is like Taco Bell," one comment says. "We all know it isn't authentic but it still slaps." Darden Restaurants reported favorable results during its last earnings call in December driven in part by strong sales performance by the restaurant chain."
A TikTok trend featuring American families bringing Italian exchange students to Olive Garden has gone viral, with one Houston mom's video accumulating 32.2 million views and 3.5 million likes. The exchange student initially refused to visit and criticized the restaurant's authenticity, particularly its alfredo. However, after tasting the breadsticks and other dishes, he changed his opinion, expressing enjoyment while joking about betraying Italy. TikTok users widely acknowledged that while Olive Garden isn't authentic Italian cuisine, it remains enjoyable. Olive Garden has minimally engaged with the trend, only commenting and reposting a few videos. Parent company Darden Restaurants reported strong financial performance, with Olive Garden's same-restaurant sales growing 4.7 percent during the last quarter.
Read at Inc
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