Facebook posts
Facebook posts
stated on August 28, 2020 in a Facebook post:

Olive Garden employees are allowed to wear Black Lives Matter masks “but NOT the American flag.”

False

Olive Garden hasn’t banned American flag masks

If your time is short

  • Servers must wear protective masks. Olive Garden says employees can wear whatever masks they want. 
 
See the sources for this fact-check

We’ve previously debunked claims about businesses banning the American flag, and a new one about Olive Garden, home of unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks, is also wrong. 

“I find it odd that Olive Garden employees are allowed to wear BLM mask but NOT the American flag. I’m done spending my money there!!!”

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) 

One skeptical Facebook user brought the claim to the company’s verified Facebook page. 

“I saw this post on someone’s FB page, is it true?” the person asked.

“That is not true,” Olive Garden replied on Sept. 10. “Team members may wear either if they choose to do so.” 

We rate this claim False.

 
Our Sources

Facebook post, Aug. 28, 2020

Olive Garden Facebook post, Sept. 10, 2020

PolitiFact, No flag ban at Weis Markets, company says, July 14, 2020

Olive Garden, Welcome back, visited Sept. 10, 2020

Olive Garden hasn’t banned American flag masks

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts



stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed


Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office


Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts





Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino