Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, has filed a lawsuit against Church’s Texas Chicken in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that the rival fast-food chain has infringed on its trademark rights by using the phrase “Original Recipe” in its advertising campaigns. KFC claims that Church’s use of this phrase is likely to confuse consumers and dilutes the distinctive quality of KFC’s brand, which has been synonymous with its secret blend of herbs and spices since 1972.
According to the complaint filed on Friday, KFC asserts that Church’s began utilizing “Original Recipe” in its marketing materials around late September, specifically in ads promoting its chicken legs and thighs with the slogan “Our Original Recipe Is Back.” This move prompted KFC to send a letter to Church’s representatives on October 24, expressing concerns about potential consumer confusion and the negative impact on KFC’s brand value. KFC claims that Church’s has ignored these concerns and continued to promote its use of the phrase.
A spokesperson for KFC emphasized the importance of protecting their iconic branding, stating, “On behalf of all fried chicken lovers out there, we take it personally when another company tries to claim our iconic taste and branding as their own. We remain committed to protecting our brand’s intellectual property and safeguarding the experience of our customers.”
KFC has been using the “Original Recipe” trademark since it was first introduced by founder Colonel Harland Sanders in 1939. The company secured a trademark for “Original Recipe” in November 1984, further solidifying its association with the term. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and an injunction preventing Church’s from using the phrase in its advertisements.
Church’s Texas Chicken has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit or KFC’s previous communications regarding this matter.
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