The Finger-Lickin’ Story Behind the KFC Logo

There are a handful of fast food logos that are instantly recognizeable. Of that group there is even a smaller sub-set of logos that tell an immediate, mouth-watering story. And there is only one logo that could be described as finger-licking good. Of course that’s the iconic red and white striped bucket logo of Kentucky Fried Chicken (or KFC). That bucket, adorned by the face of founder Colonel Sanders is a case study in strong branding and good logo design. Let’s take a look at what makes this logo a Hall of Famer.

The Modest Start to a Cultural Icon

KFC is one of a small number of companies whose founder has taken on an oversized role in the public’s imagination. It’s due in part to good branding but it also helps to have a great story.

Harland Sanders started serving fried chicken to customers in a simple roadside cafe at the height of the Great Depression. Over time, Colonel Sanders as he was known, perfected his secret recipe which involved a blend of 11 herbs and spices. It was a recipe that not only kept people coming back but had them telling their friends and anyone else who would listen all about the meal they had.

A Logo Befitting an Icon

Part of the initial appeal of KFC was Sanders in his all-white suit promising a fast, nutritious, and delicious meal. So it was puzzling that the company didn’t initially try to capitalize on his popularity in their logo.

The first KFC logos featured the head of a generic chef to indicate…quality? A professional approach? 

As the company grew, the logo also evolved and in 1952 an early iteration of the KFC logo that we know today was introduced.

An Evolving Design

The 1952 logo was text heavy with Kentucky Fried Chicken spelled out in a country-heavy font. But to the right of the name was the first appearance of Sanders. He was illustrated with his trademark mustache and a long bolo tie. The image would be refined over the years but all of the elements were now finally in place.

As the company grew, so did the logo. Sanders took a more prominent position and the logo shifted from simple black and white to the red and white color scheme that we know today.

One important thing that the logo designers never did was completely abandon the simple charm of that initial logo design. While they updated the look they didn’t try to modernize it to make it fit within a new artistic style or trend. It’s an important balance, not straying from your history while you move into the present. With our logo generator you can find a way to achieve this type of balance when you create a new logo. 

13 Takeaway Lessons From the Colonel

With its longevity and subtle changes over time, the KFC logo is something of a masterclass for logo designers.

1. Celebrate Your Legacy

If you have a good story about how the company started, you should celebrate it. That’s exactly what KFC does with the inclusion of the Colonel in their logo.

2. A Logo Should Be Welcoming

The illustrated image of the Colonel is more than a brand marker, he’s a welcoming presence. He’s friendly, familiar, and has a certain amount of trust in his down home style. 

3. Don’t Get Trendy

You want logos to stand the test of time, not just focus on being timely. It’s easy to date logos when they try to keep time with the latest design trend. The best thing you can do is create a logo that will still be relevant and interesting in a decade (or more).

4. It’s Easy to Overdesign

Simple doesn’t need to be boring or less-impactful. Look at the KFC logo again – two stripes of red, an illustration, and three letters. The simplicity in that combination is recognizable anywhere in the world.

5. Use Colors Wisely 

Use your brand guidelines and color theory to select colors that can help tell your story while also creating a response in the person who sees the logo.

6. Consistency is Key

From 1952 through today there has been a constant in the KFC logo – Colonel Sanders. That consistency has made the brand feel familiar and has helped it grow across generations as parents have a confidence in that familiarity.

7. What’s the Story? 

Your logo is often the first opportunity you have to tell someone your story or to at least hint at it. 

8. Create an Emotional Connection

Nostalgia is a powerful tool and it’s in full display with the KFC logo. While it has evolved over the years, the basic design elements are there giving people today a level of comfort and connection that comes from their youthful visits.

9. Create a Cultural Icon

Good logos expand past your core customer base and come to be seen as something greater than what it represents by a wide audience.

10. A Sign of Trust 

People know what to expect when they see that bucket with the Colonel’s image on it. That brings them into the restaurant, it’s up to the team then to live up to that trust.

11. Set the Stage for the Customer’s Experience

Your logo is essentially an invitation to the customer. There is a promise in it about what they can expect when they walk through the door.

12. Build Customer Excitement 

A strong, professional logo should get customers excited. It should create anticipation and, in the case of the KFC logo, a craving. 

13. Simple Means Memorable

The KFC logo does what so many classic logos do – stays simple. It would be easy to add elements or embellish the Colonel’s image but it’s the simplicity of the logo that helps it stand out.

The Logo is Just the Start

Remember that your logo is part of your brand. It needs to work in concert with everything else to tell a complete brand story. For a place like KFC that goes beyond signage and the look of an ad to include the intangibles in the restaurant experience (like how customers are greeted and the smells they encounter).

Design a Logo That Will Become a Classic

With our powerful AI logo designer you can create a logo that will one day be as discussed and celebrated as the logo for KFC. Our custom logo generator gives you the power to create a logo that will:

• Showcase your brand
• Generate customer excitement
• Highlight your brand promise
• Set you apart from the competition

The Legacy of am Iconic Logo 

The KFC logo has only changed slightly since it was first introduced in 1952. Every version has been carefully designed to show off the brand’s personality and promise while introducing Colonel Sanders to whole new generations. It’s a finger-lickin good design plan.