KFC has filed a lawsuit against Church’s Texas Chicken in federal court, alleging that the rival fast-food chain has violated its trademark rights in the phrase “Original Recipe.” The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, with KFC stating that Church’s use of the phrase in advertisements for its fried chicken is likely to confuse customers. Church’s has not provided any immediate response to the complaint.
A spokesperson for KFC expressed the company’s commitment to protecting its brand’s intellectual property and ensuring the experience of its customers is safeguarded. KFC has been using the phrase “Original Recipe” to promote its chicken’s secret blend of herbs and spices since 1972, according to the complaint. The complaint also stated that Church’s began using “Original Recipe” in its marketing in late September, specifically in ads for its chicken legs and thighs highlighting that “Our Original Recipe Is Back.”
KFC had previously sent a letter to Church’s representatives expressing concerns that the ads would confuse consumers and diminish the distinctive quality and value of KFC’s famous marks. However, Church’s did not respond to the letter, which led to KFC filing a lawsuit seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages and an order blocking Church’s from using the phrase “Original Recipe.” The case, titled KFC Corp v. Church’s Texas Chicken, is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas with reference number 4:24-cv-01000.
The legal representation for KFC in this case includes Joseph Petersen, Craig McDougal, and Christin Jones of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton. On the other hand, the attorney information for Church’s has not been made available at this time. KFC’s decision to take legal action against Church’s reflects the company’s dedication to protecting its brand identity and intellectual property, particularly in cases where it believes another company is infringing on its trademark rights. This lawsuit serves as a way for KFC to uphold the integrity of its iconic “Original Recipe” and prevent confusion among consumers.
