Olive Garden’s latest big deal has made some diners euphorically happy — and left quite a few others in tears.
Last week, the Italian chain released its fourth-annual Pasta Pass, a personalized savings card that entitles the cardholder to eight weeks of unlimited food.
But while there were 22,000 passes up for grabs, at just $100 each, they sold out in less than a second — leaving a lot of fans incredibly disappointed.
Hot ticket! On September 14, Olive Garden sold passes that entitled people to eight weeks of unlimited pasta, breadsticks, soup and salad
Too hot to hold: The Never Ending Pasta Pass had fans excited and waiting to click at 2pm when they went on sale
Going, going, gone! All 22,000 passes, which cost $100 each, sold out in less than a second
So sad, need carbs: Several Twitter users claimed to be crying over missing out
The pasta pass, which became available for the fourth year on September 14, gives diners the opportunity to eat unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, as well as unlimited servings of pastas, sauces, and toppings from their Never Ending Pasta Bowl menu.
The first 50 to purchase also received a trip to Italy (for a $200 total).
For someone who eats there frequently — or is looking for a budget way to eat out for two months — even the $100 pass is an incredible deal.
That’s why thousands of fans were logged on and ready when, at 2 p.m., they became available to buy. It’s also why so many were shocked and disheartened when they sold out immediately.
In fact, according to GrubStreet, every single one of those 22,000 passes was gone in just a third of a second.
The real prize: The chain also offered 50 passes for $200 that included a trip to Italy
Say what? People were really angry when the brand claimed they sold out ‘instantly’
Several angrily tweeted that it was a ‘fake’ promotion and there couldn’t have possibly been that many up for grabs
Some accused Olive Garden of lying and said the selling out was ‘unbelievable’
Several who couldn’t get the unlimited meals brought out their pitchforks (since they couldn’t use real forks… on a cheap meal)
Getting no further: Many were sad to be stuck in the ‘waiting room’
Impossible! Many said they clicked exactly at 2pm and they were already gone
‘All passes & passports were claimed instantly & the waiting room is full,’ Olive Garden tweeted as the website was updated with a similar message.
Also instantly, it seemed, discouraged shoppers were up in arms, claiming it was ‘BS’, ‘unbelievable’, and a ‘scam’ that the passes could have sold out ‘instantly’.
‘How is it possible to INSTANTLY be sold out of the @olivegarden $200 pasta passes AS SOON as you click the “buy” button?!’ wrote one.
‘That #pastapass was BS. Sold out in milliseconds? How do people even put in their credit card info that quickly?? Heaping pile of BS,’ wrote another. ‘So @olivegarden I cry BS w/ your $200 #PastaPass clicked right at 2P & it was “sold out.” Nice fake promotion,’ added a third.
One particularly sad fan wrote: ‘I’m crying because Olive Garden isn’t helping me with my pasta pass transaction 🙁 @olivegarden help me I just want to give you my money.’
Lucky! The few who managed to snap one also took to Twitter to boast
Tony Rigatoni: Some shared doubt that buyers really existed, but a few shared proof
The deal lasts for just under two months and allows for unlimited pasta
Way to go! Olive Garden congratulated shoppers online
‘I spend every night crying because I didn’t get an @olivegarden pasta pass,’ said another, echoing that sentiment.
Some even challenged people who actually managed to get their hands on a coveted pass to share the proof, doubting they existed. However, they did, and several happy purchasers shared the evidence on Twitter — and gloated a bit.
‘Y’all, I was 1 of 22,000 people to score a never ending pasta pass at olive garden. You’re looking at the face of a true winner!’ wrote one.
Unlike other in-demand items, though, there is no chance of these ending up on the black market, since they are printed with the customer’s name and an ID is needed to redeem food.
Many who managed to snap a pass also received words of congratulations from Olive Garden. For those who missed out, though, the chain reminded that it will still hold its Never Ending Pasta Bowl promotion on September 25, pass not required.