KFC
KFC India is selling 61 of its equity-owned restaurants to Devyani group KFC for an undisclosed amount in order to focus on brand growth and development in India. In this article, we discussed KFC history and its logo design journey with time.
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About the Company:
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KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken is an American Fast Food Company founded by an entrepreneur, Colonel Harland Sanders who started selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Kentucky in 1930. It is the second-largest restaurant chain in the world after McDonald’s. The first KFC franchise was opened in Utah in 1952. KFC specializes in Fried Chicken.
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History of KFC:
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During the great depression period, Colonel Harland Sanders started selling fried chicken which he learned to prepare from his mother at a very young age, from his roadside restaurant in Kentucky. It was a success. After four years, he purchased another station in the same town with more space and six tables. In 1937, he expanded his restaurant to 142 seats. It was named Sanders Court & Café.
In 1952, Sanders successfully franchised his recipe to his friends Pete Harman of Utah. Harman was the operator of one of the largest restaurant in town. The name ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’ was coined by Don Anderson, a sign painter hired by Harman. This would help the people to differentiate his restaurant from his competitors. In 1955, Sanders sold his property and travelled across the U.S.A. to franchise his chicken recipe to restaurants owners. Harman even trademarked the line “it’s Finger-Lickin’ Good” which later on became KFCs slogan. By 1963, KFC opened around 600 restaurants in the U.S.A. making it the largest fast-food operator in the country.
In 1964, a group of investors led by John Y. Brown Jr. and Jack C. Massey bought the company from Sanders for US$ 2 Million. Colonel Harland Sanders died in 1980 and by that time there were more than 6000 KFC restaurants across 48 countries. In 1991, the name ‘KFC’ was officially adopted. In 2019, there are more than 18,500 restaurants across 118 countries.
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The Logo Design Journey of KFC:
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The First Logo Design:
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The First logo of KFC consisted of wordmark ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’ and Colonel Sanders himself. It was introduced in 1952 when the first restaurant was opened in Utah.
Second Logo Design:
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The second logo was adopted in the year 1978. The head of Colonel Sanders was updated becoming an abstract design. The font style was also updated.
Third Logo Design:
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In 1991, the company officially adopted the name ‘KFC’. It was very first time when the company promoted itself as ‘KFC’ rather than ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’. The reason behind this was that people often relate ‘fried’ with unhealthy. A new logo of KFC was introduced with old head icon Colonel Sanders.
Fourth Logo Design:
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The fourth logo was introduced in 1997. It was designed by Landor Associates. The new logo featured Colonel Sanders in a tuxedo. The old head icon from the last two logos was replaced. The wordmark was mentioned in the right corner of the logo.
Fifth Logo Design:
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KFC introduced the fifth logo in 2006. The iconic Colonel Sanders symbol was given a facelift. All the wrinkles were removed and his tuxedo was replaced with an apron.
Sixth Logo Design:
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KFC updated its logo in 2018. Colonel Sanders head illustration was modified. The wordmark has also been altered, taking on a more slab-serif appearance. The company is still using this logo.
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Related Blog: Pizza-Hut, McDonald’s and SWOT analysis of Company KFC
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P.S.: Looking for a creative logo design agency, visit BrandLanes. BrandLanes is the only web platform of India that brings the best of creative projects by the agencies across India on one platform. It is an initiative to promote creativity & business. One can select the best logo designer from multiple options based on their work which are showcased in our website.
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