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KFC sues Church's Texas Chicken over use of 'original recipe' in marketing

Image: Church's Texas Chicken

November 13, 2024

Church's Texas Chicken recently reverted to its former fried chicken formula using the words "original recipe" in its marketing promotions. As a result, Kentucky Fried Chicken has sued Church's, saying the brand ignored a letter sent by KFC asking the company to stop using "original recipe" in its advertising, according to a CNN report.

The phrase "Original Recipe" has been used by KFC for more than 50 years, and a lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Texas, said the move "is likely to create confusion in the marketplace and dilute the Original Recipe (trade)mark."

KC has held its original fried chicken recipe, a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, closely guarded in the QSR industry. The brand trademarked the phrase "Original Recipe" in 1984.

Requests for comment from both brands are pending.