Bath & Body Works’ Pizza & Ranch candle, a limited-edition scent featuring “gooey cheese” and “crispy pepperonis,” has been pulled from restocking after shoppers called it “foul” and “disgusting” on social media. The backlash highlights the risks of novelty scents in the competitive home fragrance market.
The Scent That Divided the Internet
Bath & Body Works has confirmed it will not restock its Pizza & Ranch candle, a controversial scent from its limited-edition Perfecting Pairings collection launched for Candle Day 2025. The decision follows widespread criticism from shoppers who described the fragrance as “one of the most foul things I’ve ever smelled,” with reactions flooding TikTok, Facebook, and the brand’s own website.
The candle, priced at $25.95 (later discounted to $7.99), was designed to evoke “gooey cheese” and “crispy pepperonis” with a hint of ranch. However, the execution missed the mark for many, with one TikTok user joking, “This is your sign to never try the pizza and ranch… I actually saw my life flash before my eyes.” The scent currently holds a dismal 1.5-star rating from 216 reviews on Bath & Body Works’ website, where it is now out of stock.
Why Did This Candle Fail?
The backlash against Pizza & Ranch underscores a key challenge in the home fragrance industry: novelty scents are a high-risk gamble. While Bath & Body Works has successfully launched food-inspired fragrances in the past (e.g., Coffee & Donuts, Chips & Salsa), the combination of pizza and ranch proved polarizing. Unlike sweet or bakery scents, savory notes like cheese and pepperoni are harder to translate into a pleasant, long-lasting fragrance.
Social media amplified the criticism. A TikTok video showcasing negative reactions garnered thousands of views, with commenters calling the scent “disgusting” and “a crime against humanity.” Even the candle’s description—”Feel the stress of the week melting away by diving into your favorite duo”—failed to resonate with shoppers who found the aroma more nauseating than nostalgic.
The Bigger Picture: Bath & Body Works’ Strategy
This flop doesn’t signal a decline for Bath & Body Works. The brand’s annual Candle Day remains a retail phenomenon, with shoppers lining up for discounts on fan favorites like Mahogany Teakwood and Eucalyptus Spearmint. The Pizza & Ranch candle was part of a broader push into quirky, food-themed scents, including Popcorn & Slushie and the returning Holiday Dill-ight.
However, the backlash serves as a reminder that not all food inspirations translate well. While some shoppers defended the candle (“I love food, what can I say😁”), the overwhelming consensus was negative. Bath & Body Works’ decision to pull the scent reflects a commitment to customer feedback—a smart move in an era where viral opinions can make or break a product.
What’s Next for Bath & Body Works?
Expect the brand to double down on proven winners while cautiously experimenting with new concepts. The Perfecting Pairings collection may see future iterations, but likely with safer, sweeter profiles. For shoppers, this means more of the cozy, nostalgic scents that Bath & Body Works does best—just without the pizza.
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