Domino's scraps 'free pizza for Karen' offer after backlash

'We wanted to bring a smile to Karen the nurse, Karen the teacher, Karen the mum'
The pizza chain launched the promotion in New Zealand and Australia – but swiftly ended it
PA

Domino's Pizza has ditched a promotional offer handing out free pizzas to “nice” women named Karen.

The “Karen” moniker is increasingly used to denote middle-aged white women displaying racist or obnoxious behaviour.

But the pizza chain in New Zealand said it wanted to “take the name” back and “celebrate all the nice Karens out there” by treating them to a free pizza.

The offer was met by widespread outrage, with people branding it “tone-deaf” and saying it “rewarded privilege”.

Domino's Pizza said it wanted to 'celebrate all the great Karens out there' 
Getty Images

The giveaway titled "Calling all (nice) Karens" asked people named Karen to explain in 250 words how they were one of the "nice ones".

"The name 'Karen' has become synonymous with anyone who is entitled, selfish and likes to complain," Domino's chief marketing officer for Australian and New Zealand, Allan Collins, said in the promotion’s launch.

"What used to be a light-hearted meme has become quite the insult to anyone actually named Karen.

"Well, today we're taking the name Karen back. At Domino's, we're all about bringing people together and we want to celebrate all the great Karens out there by shouting them a free pizza!"

The offer was sharply criticised, with one Twitter user writing: "Most of the time Karens are entitled privileged white women.

“If a few people actually called Karen can't handle the meme they should try handling 400 years of oppression.”

Another user wrote: "Please Dominos, stop.

“Karens ask to speak to the manager and actively try to get low wage workers fired. Karens put people at risk by refusing to wear a mask. Karens don't need your defense.”

Domino’s swiftly retracted the offer, publishing a lengthy apology on Facebook.

It said: “Throughout Covid-19 we’ve tried to bring a smile to customers faces, with our pizza and our social media.”

The chain said its idea stemmed from “international media coverage” of people being branded a “Karen” when they acted in an entitled, selfish or bigoted way.

“We wanted to bring a smile to customers who are doing the right thing – Karen the nurse, Karen the teacher, Karen the mum,” the statement added.

“Our intention was one of inclusivity only. Our pizza brings people together and we only had this at the heart of the giveaway.

“We want you to know that we are always listening and learning and when we get it wrong, we fix it. We are sorry.”

Many users of the platform were forgiving in their response.

One wrote: “I understood your intentions with that post, you're right not everyone with the name Karen deserves the flack that the stereotype Karen gets.

“It's unfortunate it got turned completely into something negative. Good on you for addressing/acknowledging the issue.”

Another commented: “Thanks for apologising. What’s your next step?

“Who are you employing to advise you to avoid this kind of ignorant mistake?”

But another said: “I thought it was a great idea.

"I had nominated my aunty Karen who is a nurse at Starship children’s hospital and amazing mum who deserves a night off cooking with a shout of pizza.”

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