Church’s Rooster infringed on trademark with “Unique Recipe” promoting claims, complicated customers and diluting the worth of KFC’s model, in accordance to a lawsuit filed November 11, 2024 within the U.S. District Court docket for the Jap District of Texas.
“On behalf of all fried rooster lovers on the market, we take it personally when one other firm tries to say our iconic style and branding as their very own,” a KFC spokesperson mentioned in a press release. “We stay dedicated to defending our model’s mental property and safeguarding the expertise of our prospects.”
The phrase, ‘Unique Recipe,’ has been a central a part of KFC’S branding since 1972, referring to the chain’s 11 herbs and spices used to season its rooster. Nevertheless, Church’s Rooster solely started promoting the ‘return of its unique recipe’ in advertising supplies and promoting campaigns in September 2024, the submitting mentioned.
KFC says it despatched a letter to Church’s in October that expressed concern the same phrasing would result in client confusion and model dilution.
“(Church’s) ignored KFC’s letter and opted as an alternative to broaden its use and promotion of the mark,” the submitting acknowledged, including that Church’s conduct is “willful and in reckless disregard of KFC’s authorized rights.”
In accordance with the lawsuit, KFC is looking for financial damages and a court docket order that cease’s Church’s Rooster from utilizing the phrase “Unique Recipe” in its advertising.
KFC’s authorized workforce from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton consists of attorneys Joseph Petersen, Craig McDougal, and Christin Jones.
KFC just lately reported its third straight quarter of similar retailer sale declines within the U.S., though its dad or mum firm Yum! Manufacturers did KFC just lately reported its third straight quarter of similar retailer sale declines within the U.S., though its dad or mum firm Yum! Manufacturers did see development and profitability in different areas worldwide. The fast service rooster chain’s most up-to-date promoting marketing campaign declared the finish of the rooster sandwich wars, as an alternative specializing in the battle of the rooster tenders.
