The fried chicken chain had a simple reason to change their name—and it's not what you've probably heard
The Real Reason KFC Changed Their Name from Kentucky Fried Chicken
Updated on May 30, 2025
It’s no secret that KFC sells addictive fried chicken with 11 “secret” herbs and spices. And you may know that KFC uses a special pressure fryer to get their chicken so crispy and delicious. But, do you remember why KFC changed their name? Did you ever know? The change sparked numerous conspiracy theories over the years, but why did KFC change their name, really?
Reader’s Digest breaks down the theories and brings you the truth about your favorite fried chicken restaurant, KFC. Keep reading to find out.
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When and where did KFC get its start?
Kentucky Fried Chicken began when a man named Harland Sanders opened roadside service stations in Kentucky, selling his soon-to-be famous fried chicken to travelers way back in 1930. A former streetcar operator, firefighter and insurance salesman, “Colonel” Sanders also served a stint in the army, and by 1939 he had perfected the spice blend that KFC still uses today.
Why did KFC change their name?
In 1991, the company officially swapped Kentucky Fried Chicken for KFC. The public already used the initials, and the company wanted to streamline and rebrand for a new customer base. Plus, taking out the “fried chicken” let customers know that the restaurant serves more than just poultry.
“It really is the best of both worlds. The people who know and love us as Kentucky Fried Chicken still know and love us as Kentucky Fried Chicken,” Michael Tierney, a spokesman for KFC, told the Hartford Courant in 1999. “But it also allows people to think more freely about our menu, and not just one part of the menu.”
What were the rumors about why KFC changed their name?
There have been a few over the years. People dislike change—and they love a good conspiracy theory—so when the KFC name became official it sparked a lot of speculation. You also had the early internet to contend with, which took the most outlandish rumor and ran with it. The other major rumor has a kernel of truth.
- Mutant chickens: One popular theory was that KFC couldn’t legally be called “chicken” because they were engineering mutant birds. In 2015, Yum Brands, KFC’s parent corporation, sued over this particular rumor, saying that if they had the ability to do such a thing, they would be up for a Nobel Prize.
- Trademark issues: According to Snopes, in 1990 the state of Kentucky trademarked its name to generate revenue. Businesses such as Kentucky Fried Chicken would be required to pay a licensing fee to use the word Kentucky in their branding. While these facts are true, there is no evidence to support the claim that the trademark move was behind the name change.
Despite the back and forth on why KFC changed their name, the chain has retained plenty of trusted fans, probably because their chicken is just so darn tasty.
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Sources
- Hartford Courant: “When Brand Image Falls from Favor”
- KFC: “Our History”
- Reuters: “KFC China sues three companies amid eight-legged chicken rumors”
- Yahoo!: “From Kentucky Fried Chicken To KFC: Why The Iconic Brand Shortened Its Name”
- CBS: “KFC is moving its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas”
