Kentucky Fried Chicken and Church’s Texas Chicken Engage in Legal Battle Over “Original Recipe” Trademark

Kentucky Fried Chicken vs. Church’s Texas Chicken: The Battle for “Original Recipe” Heats Up!

In a surprising twist that has fried chicken lovers talking, a good ol’ lawsuit has turned the heat up between two beloved American chicken chains: Kentucky Fried Chicken (better known as KFC) and Church’s Texas Chicken. The iconic Colonel Sanders just won’t stand for it, and it seems this battle is just getting started!

The Legal Faceoff

Earlier this month, KFC took a bold step by filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Their complaint? Church’s has been flaunting the phrase “Original Recipe” in its advertising, and according to KFC, that’s their territory. You see, since way back in 1972, KFC has trademarked this catchy slogan as part of its branding, so they’re making it clear they mean business with this legal action.

It all kicked off when Church’s announced earlier this year they were bringing back what they called their “original recipe.” KFC wasn’t having any of it, and on November 8, they filed their suit. The lawsuit states, “When KFC discovered Defendant’s use of the ORIGINAL RECIPE® Mark, it sent Defendant a letter dated October 24, 2024, objecting to Defendant’s unauthorized and infringing use of KFC’s ORIGINAL RECIPE® Mark. Defendant ignored KFC’s letter and opted instead to expand its use and promotion of the ORIGINAL RECIPE® Mark.”

A Rich History

KFC has been serving up that oh-so-famous fried chicken for decades, and they are not shy about their history. The lawsuit includes a 15-page documentation featuring ads from decades past to assert their claim that they’ve touted “The Colonel’s Original Recipe” for quite some time now. In fact, KFC’s trademark registrations go back as far as November 6, 1984, and even October 23, 2018!

KFC is seeking some serious damages in this case, calling it an act of willful trademark infringement, unfair competition, and looking to protect its reputation (and recipes!). They are pushing for not only money but also for Church’s to retract its marketing materials and halt its advertisement campaign that is using the disputed phrase.

A Brief Glimpse at Church’s Texas Chicken

Founded in sunny San Antonio in 1952, Church’s Texas Chicken has become a prominent name, spreading its wings and growing. With its headquarters now in Atlanta, Georgia, Church’s certainly has a rich history as well, and they are clearly proud of the flavors they serve. However, it seems they may have lucked upon a thorny legal issue with this specific phrase.

What Does This Mean for Fried Chicken Fans?

For the loyal fans of these chicken titans, this legal tussle is a reminder of just how fiercely brands protect their images, especially in the competitive world of fast food. And while fried chicken enthusiasts are likely divided, one thing is for sure—the battle over “Original Recipe” is serving up some juicy headlines that are sure to keep everyone talking!

So, what do you think about this spicy showdown? Will KFC get justice for its treasured recipe claim? Or does Church’s have a right to flaunt their own tasty offerings? As this story continues to unfold, we’ll be here frying up the latest updates, so stay tuned!