Posted on 03/24/2008 11:49:12 AM PDT by MotleyGirl70
New restaurant's logo described by some as demeaning
When the owners of Quickie Burger and Dogs chose their logo, they thought it would make patrons crave an order of chili cheese fries. But the logo, a busty woman in a tight shirt straddling a hamburger, has drawn criticism from campus groups.
The newest addition to the South State Street landscape has caused a stir on campus with its brightly colored logo, which some believe is offensive.
The restaurant, which opened two weeks ago, sits south of campus at the intersection of State and Hill streets. Adorning the blue awning above the restaurant next to its name is an image of a cowgirl riding a hamburger.
The Stonewall Democrats, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caucus of the University's College Democrats chapter, has taken offense with the restaurant's logo and recently began circulating a petition to sway the owners to change the logo.
LSA senior Kolby Roberts, a member of the Stonewall Democrats who has led the effort, said he finds the logo's message inappropriate and offensive.
"I have a problem that you take a women riding a hamburger and you put it next to the word 'quickie,' " he said. "It just seems like it's not putting a good message out there for the objectification of women."
Maria Arman, whose family owns the restaurant, said the logo was meant to invoke a cowboy theme.
"We were thinking beef, rodeo, so instead of putting a cowboy, we just picked a cowgirl," she said. "It's a rodeo-style cowgirl riding a bull, but instead, it's a burger. It was put together to be funny and different. No offense was meant to anyone."
Before selecting a logo for the restaurant, which features a maize and blue color scheme with televisions tuned to ESPN on the interior, the owners showed the logo to more than 100 people and none of them objected, Arman said.
"The people who we talked to told us, 'It's a college town and the kids will think its funny,'" she said.
LSA freshman Dan Yeomans said while he wasn't personally offended by the logo, he could see how others might interpret it in a negative way.
"I could see the same people who were offended by the South Quad T-shirts taking offense to this," said Yeomans, referring to a batch of dorm-sponsored shirts that featured lyrics from the popular, but controversial Soulja Boy song "Crank That."
Roberts said he believed the image was distasteful, regardless of the person.
"Basically, what it has is a provocatively dressed woman straddling a hamburger, and she's very busty and its kind of really horrible," he said.
Roberts and the Stonewall Democrats have begun circulating a petition, which he said currently has about 100 signatures. The group plans to send a letter along with the petition to the owners. The restaurant's name, he said, isn't a problem.
Roberts said the purpose of the letter and petition is to convince the Armans to alter the logo.
"I don't think anyone has a problem with the name because it implies that I'm going to get a quick burger," he said. "Instead, we're just thinking about getting rid of the logo. Maybe trying to change it so it's less offensive."
Arman said she would be open to talking with the protesters.
"We will consider talking to them," she said. "We're open-minded. We're not here to offend anyone or to make anyone angry."
(SAM WOLSON/Daily). The LGBT caucus of the University's College Democrats is circulating a petition to get Quickie Burger and Dogs to change its name, which it deems inappropriate.
Thanks for the link. Kolby seems to be willingly receptive to indoctrination.
Probably not. Every restaraurant at this location has failed for, oh, at least the last 25 years.
Back in the last millennium when I was in college, Hooters wanted to open up a store in our downtown area. I remember the campus feminists were complaining about it.
Must...
Not...
Violate...
Posting...
Rules...
If she was licking a taco, the GBLT group would be championing it.
My favorite part is, “... and it’s kind of really horrible.”
Way to take a stand there, Kolby.
I guess if she was riding a hot dog and eating a taco—then everyone would be included, and no one offended.
Or some heavier loafers.
They need to serve a BLT sandwich with Gravy.
Probably be too realistic for some....
LOL!!
LGBT
The L’s were offended because she had on a plaid flannel shirt and had no other masculine features.
The G’s were offended because it was a woman, and a woman with breasts at that.
The B’s were just confused.
The T’s were offended by the mustard flames coming out of the backside of the burger, though no one is sure why.
That whole “Wake Up With the King” ad campaign was terminally gay.
A good choice for dinner next time I have to go to Ann Arbor for work.
Almost any dilema can be solved by consulting the screenplay’s of Mel Brooks.
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