KFC has filed a lawsuit against the Church’s over using the “Original Recipe” in a recent advertisement. The Church’s Texas Chicken released the ad titled, “Our Original Recipe is Back,” which uses the trademarked one-liner of KFC.
As per the reports, the KFC lawsuit was a follow-up to the abrupt use of the “Original Recipe” by Church’s Texas Chicken for their advertisements and promotions. On October 24, KFC sent an objection letter over the ad, but the fried chicken rival ignored the letter. Even after the notice, Church’s posted an image of fried chicken with text reading, “Our original recipe is back.”
KFC vs. Church’s Lawsuit: The Battle Over the “Original Recipe”
KFC swung back to Church’s Texas Chicken over “Original Recipe.” Kentucky Fried Chicken has been using this phrase for more than a half-decade. It claims that the use of the phrase will create confusion in the market and dilute the brand image of the company. The lawsuit has been filed in the US District Court in Texas.
One of the KFC spokespersons said, “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.” He also mentioned that the company is committed to protecting our brand’s intellectual property and safeguarding the experience of our customers.
While KFC is openly commenting on the situation, the Church’s Texas Chicken has refused to make any comments over the legal procedures.
The lawsuit comes as KFC struggles with slow sales. Last week, parent company Yum! Brands reported a 5% drop in same-store sales in the US, marking their third straight quarter of losses. CEO David Gibbs blamed the dip on fierce competition in the fast food world, especially within the chicken market.
KFC’s Original Recipe: A Legal Battle Over the Secret to Success
KFC entered the value wars with its special “Tastes of KFC” deals, which focus on competing with fast food giants like McDonald’s and Wendy’s. However, when it comes to fried chicken, there are more rivals like Church’s Texas Chicken, Popeyes, Raising Can’s, and Zaxny’s, etc.
KFC’s “Original Recipe,” which it claims is a secret mix of 11 herbs and spices, has been a key part of its brand for years. The recipe is kept under tight wraps and is considered one of the most “iconic trade secrets” in the food world. KFC first trademarked the phrase back in 1984.
As the legal battle between KFC and Church’s Texas Chicken heats up, it’s clear that the fight over the “Original Recipe” is about more than just a catchy slogan — it’s about protecting decades of brand identity and consumer trust. With both companies in the competitive fried chicken game, this lawsuit could have big implications for how brands protect their trademarks and iconic branding in the fast food world.
While Church’s Texas Chicken remains silent on the issue, KFC is determined to defend what it considers one of the most valuable trade secrets in the industry. As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on how the courts handle this crispy conflict, and whether the “Original Recipe” will continue to reign supreme in the world of fried chicken.
