KFC Logo PNG
An alternative to hamburgers is the chicken of the KFC restaurant chain, whose logo reveals the essence of the abbreviation, demonstrating a commitment to its history. The smiling portrait of the founder, the frame in the shape of a glass, and the color scheme evoke a feeling of warmth and hospitality.
KFC: Brand overview
| Founded: | March20, 1930 |
| Founder: | Colonel Harland Sanders, Pete Harman |
| Headquarters: | Kentucky, U.S. |
| Website: | kfc.com |
KFC is a fast-food restaurant, well known throughout the world. Brand Founded by Colonel Sanders and has existed since 1930. The restaurant chain is part of Yum! Brands and headquarters are located in the Louisville city of Kentucky.
Meaning and History
The KFC brand logo has always adhered to two basic elements: the corporate color palette and the founder’s portrait. Over the years of its existence, it has changed five times. Moreover, these were not radical changes, but adjustments that have the right to be called the evolution of a trademark.
What is KFC?
KFC is the company that popularized chicken in the fast-food industry by offering an alternative to popular hamburgers. It was founded in 1930 when Harland David Sanders opened its first restaurant. Its expanded name is Kentucky Fried Chicken.
1952 – 1978
The emblem of that period can be considered debut since it was she who laid the foundation for a series of recognizable corporate symbols. It consists of graphic and text parts in black and white.
The first is a minimalist portrait of the founder and owner of the brand, Colonel Sanders. The figure shows only his head with a bow tie, forming the image of a funny man because the bow looks like the arms and legs of a cartoon character.
The second fragment is the expanded name of the fast-food restaurant Kentucky Fried Chicken. It translates as “Kentucky Roast Chicken” and indicates the main ingredient of the menu. The font is drawn, with capital letters “K,” “F,” and “C.”
1978 – 1991
The year 1978 brought tangible changes to the logo. Designers moved the graphic symbol to the left and placed it in front of the phrase, which was built into a three-level column. The face was enlarged, and his expression was made kinder and smoother to evoke a pleasant impression among potential visitors. As a result, a regular redesign turned into a profitable marketing move. Typography was also modernized, focusing on the letter “K” with the help of an elongated leg that extends beyond the “C.”
1991 – 1997
During this period, the owner decided to change the name, officially leaving an abridged version. This was done for two reasons. The first – the catering point has already gained recognition and did not require detailed decryption. The second – a small word fit better into an expensive advertising space. The basic sign of the badge of those years is the corporate color scheme, which was then always present on the logo. This is a combination of red, black, and white.
In 1997, a new emphasis on KFC visual identity appeared – “photography” of the restaurant chain owner. The colonel is depicted realistically, and his portrait is made in blue and white, close to a pastel palette. In the background of the square emblem is a solid red background.
1997 – 2006
The logo of this time is the result of the work of Landon Associates. At the end of the period, he is replaced by a round symbol with a kindly smile on the face of Colonel Sanders in a stylized pencil-portrait design. The official jacket was replaced with an apron with three vertical stripes, and the abbreviation “KFC” is located to the left of the central image, directly above the shoulder.
2006 – 2014
In 2006, the dark red circle with an exquisite image of a colonel dressed in an apron instead of a tuxedo was still relevant. Still, in parallel, an official replacement was being prepared.
2014 – 2018
The monochrome version of the KFC logo is a tribute to the original emblem of 1952. The difference between the previous version and the current one is that the modern version contains a short form of the name, placed under a friendly smiling head with a characteristic bow tie.
2018 – today
The latest KFC branding redesign took place in 2018. The developers changed the shape of the logo to trapezoidal and improved the portrait. The white-red background now has three wide vertical lines; a black outline surrounds the face. The graphic sign is placed on the central strip – white. There is the abbreviation KFC in italics. Due to the trapezoid, the logo looks like a glass, one of the main elements of the fast-food chain, causing a feeling of warmth and hospitality.
Font and Colors
Regardless of the year of issue, design, and style, all logo variants have the smiling face of the fast-food chain founder – Colonel Sanders. A good-natured emotion prepares visitors for a favorable atmosphere. She also talks about the great hospitality and delicious food that is prepared here. Another factor in this design is the sign. The fact is that the emblem is used not only as an original trademark sign but also as a decoration of the facade of a building where specialties are served, guided by the principles of the first owner.
The abbreviation has always been written in the same style – italic, uppercase serif typeface. And the color is a continuation of positive emotion: the owner’s welcoming smile is emphasized by non-aggressive red. The black strokes depict the Colonel Sanders head and bow, clearly visible against the white background.
KFC color codes
| Pigment Red | Hex color: | #f40027 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 167 30 49 | |
| CMYK: | 5 100 71 22 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Bright Red C |
| Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
| CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |
What does the KFC logo represent?
The KFC logo depicts the most famous brand representative – Harland David Sanders. This man founded the fast-food chain and patented the secret recipe for cooking chicken. The designers have placed his portrait inside a trapezoidal shape, shaped like a glass.
Why did KFC choose their logo?
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Company wants to pay tribute to its creator, so it has long used a logo with its face. And the two red stripes on the sides of the portrait reflect the design of the restaurants’ mansard roofs.
Is the KFC logo a body?
The bow tie depicted under Sanders’ head resembles a caricatured body: the sidelines look like short arms, and the bottom lines look like legs. But, as far as is known, the KFC company itself does not put such a meaning in the logo or is simply silent about it.
What is the new KFC logo?
The new Kentucky Fried Chicken logo still features the face of Colonel Harland Sanders. The abbreviated name of the brand is written under it, for which the designers used bold black letters with serifs and roundings. Both the word mark and the emblem are placed inside an inverted trapezoid. There are two wide red stripes on the sides of the portrait.
What does the logo symbolize KFC Logo?
The KFC logo symbolizes the reliability of service, the high quality of dishes, the stability of a wide selection, and the favorable atmosphere of fast food restaurants. In addition, it is designed to increase appetite. All this is conveyed in red, in straight and confident lines, in the precise geometry of the elements, and in the smiling portrait of the brand’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders. And the abbreviated inscription represents the full name of the fast food chain - Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Why did KFC choose their logo?
KFC chose this logo for simplicity and precision. The simplistic design evokes sympathy, and the smiling face draws attention well. A good-natured smile sets customers up for positive emotions, delicious food, and a pleasant atmosphere. In some versions of the emblem, the portrait of Colonel Harland Sanders is located on a white background, which causes too much contrast, so the authors of the logo decided to add a bright red color to give it a warm feeling to the face.
What is the new KFC logo?
The first cardinal change of the KFC logo happened in 1991. It was carried out in order to shorten the long name and hide the word ‘Fried,’ as it refers to unhealthy food. The 2018 badge upgrade was undertaken in connection with the return to the emblem of red to make the Colonel Harland Sanders portrait warmer and more inviting. At the same time, the main symbol of fast food, the bucket, was introduced. It is rendered in the form of a contoured frame.
Why is there an old man on the KFC logo?
The KFC logo features an older man because he is the founder of the fast food giant, Colonel Harland David Sanders. His portrait has adorned the emblem from the very beginning - since 1952. At first, he served as an advertising sign and then switched to the entire visual identity. This American businessman came up with the idea of selling chicken dishes in a Kentucky roadside cafe during the Great American Depression and then became the owner of a huge food empire.
Who is the guy in KFC logo?
The man with the KFC logo is the founder of this fast food restaurant chain, Colonel Harland David Sanders. He hospitably smiles from the portrait, inspiring the trust of visitors. Friendliness is added by a bow tie in the shape of a body (miniature arms and legs are clearly visible in it), soft lines, rounded corners, and a sincere look. This man was present on the emblem from the beginning as the personified trust in the American fast food giant, becoming its mascot.
What does the red in KFC mean?
The KFC brand switched to red to strengthen its position in the restaurant business and guarantee to attract customers. This color in symbolism also denotes a passion for food; it brings dynamics and adds warmth to a monochrome portrait. In addition, the red emphasizes that the chain serves fried chicken and creates an appetite for potential customers.
