KFC 2.0

New KFC logo: It's all about The Colonel

First change in 10 years recalls founder; remodeling planned of many stores


But first, some random trivia:

KFC is so prevalent in Japan that many Japanese unknowingly consider it to be a Japanese Company. On Christmas day many families (who have made reservations weeks in advance), have their traditional Christmas dinner at KFC. Colonel Sanders has become somewhat of a cult figure in Japan. Not only is there a life-sized statue of the Colonel in front of every KFC, but his memorabilia like wind-up toys and figurines can be found at many toy stores throughout Japan


In French-speaking Quebec, Canada, KFC is known as PFK (Poulet Frit Kentucky); this is one of the few instances in which the KFC initialism is changed for the local language (even in France itself, it's called KFC). In the 2004 version of Dawn of the Dead, which was filmed in Canada but is set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there is a goof where the survivors eat from the KFC restaurant in the mall and one of the soda cups actually reads PFK.

Rock group Happy Mondays were known to use the phrase "Kentucky Fried Chicken" as a euphemism for heroin; legend holds that the group broke up when lead singer Shaun Ryder left a contract meeting to go get some "Kentucky" and never returned. This scene was recreated in the 2002 movie 24 Hour Party People. In lieu of the heroin explanation however, Ryder is later seen walking down the street carrying a red bucket while imitating a chicken.

A Madonna song called Where Life Begins includes the line "Colonel Sanders says it best: Finger-lickin' good."

LOUISVILLE, KY. - Colonel Harland Sanders is shedding his white suit jacket for a red cook's apron as the company he founded unveils a worldwide redesign of its KFC restaurants and one of the world's most recognizable icons.

The company unveiled a new brand logo Tuesday that includes bolder colors and a more well-defined visage of the late Kentucky Fried Chicken founder, who will keep his classic black bow tie, glasses and goatee.

'This change gives us a chance not only to make sure we stay relevant but also communicates to customers the realness of Colonel Sanders and the fact that he was a chef,' said Gregg Dedrick, president of KFC's U.S. division.

The logo is changing for only the fourth time in 50 years, and for the first time in nearly a decade. The smiling Colonel is featured against a red background that matches his red apron, with the KFC brand name in black thick lettering under his chin.

The store designs will include new graphics with the Kentucky Fried Chicken name and signs that read, 'Finger Lickin' Good,' and '11 Secret Herbs and Spices,' references to the Colonel's famously secret recipe.

The logo will also replace the old one on another KFC icon, its chicken bucket.

Newly built stores throughout the world will be upgraded over the next 12 months, the company said. Television ads with the new logo will begin in January, and the new logo is already on KFC's web site. KFC is owned by Yum Brands Inc., a Louisville, Ky.-based restaurant company that is also the parent of Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.

'Eventually this will make its way to every restaurant,' Dedrick said. 'Any new stores we build or any remodels that we make from here on out will include the new Colonel.'

The company said the new restaurants in the U.S. will include warmer interior colors, open shop-style glass windows and a digital jukebox that plays customer-selected music for free.