in 1952 by Harland Sanders KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is a brand that achieved great success after its founding and managed to turn its fried chicken into a world-famous delicacy.

KFC, which has managed to become a gigantic chain, still has its own identity, even in the most visible elements, such as the logo as the brand’s mascot. “Colonel Sanders” It uses the image of this cute old man we know. So what could have happened between Sanders, who is still the face of the brand, and KFC that would cause the duo to file a lawsuit?

Actually, everything starts with the transfer of KFC.

KFC, founded by Colonel Sanders in 1952, achieved great success in twelve years and expanded its activities in America and Canada. More than 600 branches has achieved.

Sanders, who was 73 years old at the time in 1964 He decided to sell KFC.

Former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown Jr. and another investor $2 million and an annual salary of $40,000 In return, he agreed to sell KFC.

In fact, Sanders will remain the face and advisor of the brand under the agreement. The recipe is not changed It was agreed.

Although Sanders sold KFC, he did not walk away from the brand.

In his iconic white suit participates in advertising campaigns and traveled the world for various promotions.

However, John and other entrepreneurs who took over decided to expand the company. various changes was doing.

In 1971, John Brown decided to sell KFC to a major food company. That’s how everything started to change.

Although the original agreement promised that the recipe would remain the same, the new owners received He did not keep this promise.

The new managers, preferring a cheaper and simpler version of the recipes, calculated the time and costs here, but this Sanders didn’t like it at all.

Sanders hated the new sauce recipe so much that he “wallpaper glue” He described it as.

Of course also for the chickens He didn’t speak very well.

Also for chickens “It’s just a blob of fried dough sticking to the chicken.” said.

This harsh criticism of Sanders prompted a branch owner to file a defamation suit against him.

In 1978, a KFC branch owner told Sanders sued for defamationbut the case was dismissed.

But Sanders was so dissatisfied with the job the new owners did after taking over KFC that he He opened a rival restaurant to KFC.

Opening a restaurant led to the second lawsuit and caused KFC to sue its founder.

“Claudia Sanders, the Colonel’s Lady Dinner House” The new restaurant he opened under the name wanted to compete with KFC.

For this reason, KFC filed a lawsuit against Sanders. The lawsuit concerned name and trademark rights and It was pretty serious.

Sanders had no intention of backing down. In retaliation, the new owners have entered into a separate legal battle use your image without permission He tried to sue, claiming he was advertising his products $122 million in damages he demanded.

In the end, Sanders received $1 million, but had to change the name of his rival restaurant.

By removing the phrase “Colonel’s Lady” from the old name, the restaurant’s name was changed. “Claudia Sanders Diner House” Had to change it to .

This restaurant, which is still open, belongs to Colonel Sanders. with original recipe The only place where you can eat fried chicken.

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