KFC is arguably one of the most popular fast-food chains in the world. Established by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1930, the restaurant has become the go-to destination for people looking for finger-licking chicken items globally. The KFC logo is an iconic representation of the brand’s heritage and has evolved significantly since its inception. This article outlines the key milestones in the history of the KFC logo and highlights its transformations over the decades.
The Genesis of the KFC (1954–1959)
The original KFC logo featured the brand name “Kentucky Fried Chicken” in a title case and a handwritten style font. Interestingly, the letters “C” in the brand name were italicised to add uniqueness. Besides, there were four chickens hatched out of their eggs and placed next to the capital letters.
(1959-1978)
This particular KFC logo was introduced when the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah. It featured a simple design with a portrait of Colonel Sanders, who was dressed in his signature white suit and string tie. To the left of the image was the full name “Kentucky Fried Chicken,” written in a decorative sans-serif font. This logo was primarily in black and white and emphasised a family-friendly image.
(1978-1991)
The logo underwent a significant redesign in 1978. The Colonel’s portrait was moved to the left, and the name “Kentucky Fried Chicken” was written into three lines using a more modern serif typeface. This design aimed to modernise the brand while retaining the Colonel’s image, which had become synonymous with KFC.
(1991-1997)
In 1991, the company officially adopted the acronym “KFC” to distance itself from the unhealthy or negative connotations of the word “Fried.” The logo was updated to reflect this change and featured a vibrant colour palette of red, white, and blue. The Colonel’s portrait was now depicted in a friendlier manner, with bold red lettering in italics and a rectangular frame to enhance brand recognition. The lettering had pointed glyphs and a thin blue outline. Above the lettering was a red and white pattern of growing thickness with the Colonel’s image placed against the widest band of red.
(1997-2006)
The 1997 redesign introduced a square logo with a more detailed portrait of Colonel Sanders in a tuxedo. The small KFC wordmark in red was incorporated into the design to reinforce brand identity. Alongside this logo update, KFC also revamped its restaurant interiors to align with the new branding. This logo was redesigned by Landon Associates Agency and featured a red background against which the Colonel’s portrait in white, yellow, and blue was placed.
(2006-2018)
The logo was redesigned again in 2006 and featured a deep red circle with a refined image of Colonel Sanders in an apron. This image symbolised a more casual dining experience. The KFC wordmark in white was placed to the right of the Colonel’s face. It maintained the red-and-white colour scheme but introduced a more modern aesthetic.
(2014-2018) (International except China)
In 2014, KFC adopted a simplified monochrome version of the logo and focused solely on the Colonel’s head above the KFC wordmark in a bold and italicised sans-serif typeface. This version aimed to evoke nostalgia while streamlining the brand’s visual identity.
(2018-Present) (International) (2016-2023) (North America)
This particular logo iteration is a modified variant of the 1959 logo. The portrait of the Colonel was made more detailed and realistic to drive home the message that the company values its legacy. To the left of the portrait appeared the brand name “Kentucky Fried Chicken” in a bold font and title case.
(2018-Present), (2020-Present) (China)
The latest logo redesign shows a trapezoid and a refined portrait of the Colonel inside. The trapezoid, which looks like a KFC bucket, features three vertical lines in white and red. Besides, the Colonel’s face is displayed using a black outline and placed on a thick white stripe in the middle. And just below the string tie of the Colonel appears the brand name KFC in cursive style. The overall logo evokes a sense of warmth.
The Elements of the KFC Logo
Font
Since 1991, the KFC logo has featured a simple italic font to portray “KFC.” The accompanying text stating “Kentucky Fried Chicken” has undergone multiple revisions. It has evolved towards greater simplicity.
Colour
The core colour palette of the logo, comprising red, black, blue, and white, has remained consistent since 1991. However, there has been a subtle shift in the most recent version. For instance, the red has deepened by adopting a slightly darker and less vibrant colour.
The History of KFC
KFC was founded by Colonel Sanders in 1930. It is a global fast-food chain known for its tasty fried chicken. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, it’s now part of Yum! Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. KFC ranks second to McDonald’s in sales volume. The iconic chicken recipe the company is mostly known for was developed by Harland Sanders in the 1930s at a small Kentucky gas service station.
In 1939, Mr. Sanders was honoured with the title “Colonel” by Kentucky’s governor, which became an integral part of the brand’s identity. The expansion of KFC began with its first franchise in Utah in 1952. And by 1964, when Sanders sold the company for $2 million, it had over 600 locations across North America. The following decades saw rapid international growth and changes in the ownership of the company. These included its acquisition by PepsiCo in 1991.
In 1997, the company was rebranded from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC. The 2010s brought menu innovations and technological advancements, particularly in the Chinese market. Today, KFC operates in over 25,000 locations in 145 countries and balances its original recipe with local tastes and health trends. The journey of the brand from a roadside kitchen to a global empire demonstrates the power of the entrepreneurship and culinary innovation of Sanders.
Interesting Facts About KFC
- KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952. He began as a small roadside motel and café in Corbin, Kentucky. The café became famous for serving the secret recipe prepared by using 11 herbs and spices to marinate the chicken.
- Sanders was not a military colonel. He was honoured with the title by the state of Kentucky in 1937, along with 5000 other people.
- At any given time, only two company executives know the exact recipe for KFC. The original recipe written by the founder, Sanders, in a yellow slip is kept in a vault and is protected with concrete blocks, round-the-clock security cameras, and motion sensors.
- Sanders had passed on the recipe to his partner, Pete Harman, for 4 to 5 cents per piece of chicken sold. The first KFC franchise was set up in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- KFC has won a case against three tech companies for spreading rumours about it using mutant chicken with six wings and eight legs. According to Reuters, the three companies have been fined around $191,000.
- The iconic suit and bow tie of the founder were grabbed by Masao Watanabe, the President and CEO of KFC, Japan, for over $20,000 in an auction.
- KFC had sent TV show host Carson Daly a pair of chicken nugget cufflinks after the latter joked about KFC selling drumstick corsages for $20.
- In Corbin, Kentucky, there is a restaurant called the Sanders Café, which houses the museum for KFC. Here, one can learn about the history of Harland Sanders, including the kitchen where he came up with the recipe.
- Once, an advertisement for KFC in Chinese read “we’ll eat your fingers off” instead of “finger lickin’ good.” This was the result of a translation error.
- Colonel Sanders appeared in a comic in the 1960s in which he stopped an imposter from stealing his recipe. There is also a video game called Colonel Quest where one needs to collect drumsticks.
- Sanders once shot the owner of a gas station named Stewart over a dispute involving painting over his signage. In the gunfight, one of Sanders’ coworkers was killed.
- The role of Colonel Sanders is enacted by comedians Norm MacDonald, Darrel Hammond, and Jim Gaffigan in advertisements.
- The first famed bucket meal of KFC was sold in 1957. However, it was sold by Pete Harman, the first KFC franchisee, who sold a chicken meal with 14 pieces, five bread rolls, and a little gravy.
- KFC was the first fast food franchisee to enter China in 1987. Today, it has about 4563 outlets in the country.
- After the passing of Colonel Harland Sanders on December 16, 1980, the Governor of Kentucky honoured Mr. Sanders by letting every state building fly the US flag at half-mast for four days.
- It was Pete Harman, the first franchisee, who used the phrase “Kentucky Fried Chicken” for the first time. However, the phrase was coined by a sign painter hired by Harman.
- In 1964, investors bought KFC for $2 million after guaranteeing Sandars a place on the board as a quality controller, appearances in commercials, and a lifetime salary.
- According to a 1976 survey, Colonel Sanders was ranked as the second most recognised celebrity all over the country.
- In the Area-51 desert, an 87500-square-foot logo of KFC is even visible from space after a new global re-image.
- In 1991, KFC switched from “Kentucky Fried Chicken” to the abbreviated KFC after it realised the word “Fried” had negative connotations.
- KFC franchisees operate in more than 145 countries and serve millions of customers every day. According to Forbes, the company is valued at $8.5 billion.
- In 2019, KFC and Pizza Hut came together to create KFC Popcorn Pizza with mozzarella cheese as toppings.
- It is a tradition to eat at KFC on Christmas in Japan. The Japanese eat buckets of KFC products throughout November and up to Christmas.
Finally
The evolution of the KFC logo reflects the journey of the brand from a simple fried chicken restaurant to a global fast-food icon. Each redesign has maintained the core element of the image of Colonel Sanders while adapting to changing consumer preferences and cultural contexts. Today, the KFC logo stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and tradition. It continues to evoke a sense of Southern hospitality.