It only came on my radar just this month that Olive Garden redesigned its classic and memorable logo. For those of you unfamiliar with the name, it is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine.
These days, it appears as though everybody is going with minimalist designs and opting for a more modern stripped-down look and feel. The new Olive Garden logo is no different. This time, however, they have ensured we know what the olives and leaves look like.
I’m not sure I’m a fan, as the design feels a little too generic. One thing that works though, is that this logo’s definitely easier to reproduce on products, prints and signage, because of its minimalist design.
It will probably “grow” on me, but I’d still take the original design any day. It at least had a lot of character and you know what, the beveling, shadow and textures all worked. Perhaps I’m just someone who appreciates old-world charm every now and then.
From a business standpoint, rebranding can sometimes bring new energy and increased revenues and I suppose updating a logo for the first time in over 15 years isn’t all bad. Darden Restaurants (DRI), the parent company of Olive Garden dubbed the move “brand renaissance”; I saw what you guys did there. It’s definitely a good pivot.
Good luck!