Jack in the Box retro Logo..
NEW LOGO..
Retro Burger King Logo
NEW "BK" LOGO..
Old Taco Johns Logo..
NEW LOGO..
Retro Pizza Hut Logo..
Retro Kentucky Fried Chicken Logo..
New "KFC" Logo..
I'm not trying to take anything away from these new logos, but I prefer the old ones hands down. Each of these businesses were trail blazers in their own right, and they offered products that were unique all unto themselves. It stands to reason that their respective logos and branding needed to be just as unique.
The blood sweat and tears were already put into the first generation designs of these logo's. Since then, they've been repeatedly tweaked and redesigned into what you see today. There's no doubt the new designs are bold and catchy, but to me.. the old logos to just seem to have more character and uniqueness.
The only logo out of this group that I'm unhappy about, is the Kentucky Fried Chicken logo. For some reason the Colonel looks excessively streamlined, which results in some fading of his character. Folks who grew up when the Colonel was alive know what I mean. He was a kind southern gentlemen who simply wanted you to enjoy his chicken. The Colonel was a hero to young and old alike, and he was an absolute real person! If you were born after 1980.. do yourself a favor and watch some old Kentucky Fried Chicken commercials on the You-Tube that young kids like to use so much, to get a sense of who the Colonel was.
I realize that this is all personal preference on my part. Being the retro buff that I am, my opinions are definitely biased. However.. I've got a sneaking suspicion that there are many more people out there who also miss seeing these older logo's.
The blood sweat and tears were already put into the first generation designs of these logo's. Since then, they've been repeatedly tweaked and redesigned into what you see today. There's no doubt the new designs are bold and catchy, but to me.. the old logos to just seem to have more character and uniqueness.
The only logo out of this group that I'm unhappy about, is the Kentucky Fried Chicken logo. For some reason the Colonel looks excessively streamlined, which results in some fading of his character. Folks who grew up when the Colonel was alive know what I mean. He was a kind southern gentlemen who simply wanted you to enjoy his chicken. The Colonel was a hero to young and old alike, and he was an absolute real person! If you were born after 1980.. do yourself a favor and watch some old Kentucky Fried Chicken commercials on the You-Tube that young kids like to use so much, to get a sense of who the Colonel was.
I realize that this is all personal preference on my part. Being the retro buff that I am, my opinions are definitely biased. However.. I've got a sneaking suspicion that there are many more people out there who also miss seeing these older logo's.
I completely agree with you. Col. Sanders looks modern and younger in the new logo. He was crotchety, which made him lovable. I also miss the old Jack in the Box logo. Oh well, I guess that makes us geezers.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you. I can't stand the new Pizza Hut logo, either. Liked the old one much better.
ReplyDeleteJack in the Box was my very first job at sweet 16 ! I loved the old KFC and Pizza Hut logos, as those were the fast foods of our choice as a family.
ReplyDeleteYou totally know how to take me back down memory lane !
I'm with you. I remember a BK near me that had a sign with the King on it. (A cartoon king, not the creepy one we've got now. lol) Old school is better in this case!
ReplyDeleteMy family loved Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burger King in the 70s and early 80s. I agree that the old logos are so much better. I don't like when they change cartoon characters either like the Trix rabbit and Scooby Doo.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Sadly though, I pay so little attention to marketing that sometimes I don't realize when a logo has changed, until I see the older versions and realize whoa, it looks different now!
ReplyDeleteNostalgia for old product logos is a big market right now though, as you can buy T-shirts and other memorabilia for all sorts of brands. Makes you wonder why the old logos are popular as a "retro niche" for memorabilia, but the companies feel for their day to day operations the "new and improved" logos are the only way to go. *shrugs*
I'm laughing as I type this, because I can't believe I am joining the ranks of the new logo haters club. But I have to agree that I like the retro look better. Does that make me lame? These carzy kids today and their new-fangled logos. Harumpph. LOL!
ReplyDeleteChalk me up as another one who agrees with you and I think you're not alone. I remember hearing how Coca-Cola sales go up when they use 'retro' packaging.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we wouldn't like them so much if they'd never changed though. We can associate them with nice memories from our youth - if they 'd stayed the same maybe we'd associate them with recent crap memories too.
Maybe I'm thinking too much about this...
Basically, I agree - Older is better.
I don't remember that old jack in the box one. I know there was one before the newest one, but this one must be really old.
ReplyDeleteNow see what you've gone and done! You made me crave Taco John's, and there isn't one around here anymore! Wah! Their burritos with the green sauce is soooo good. I think Col. Sanders looks too slick and mod now, kinda like Kenny Rodgers after his face lift. zootsuitmama
ReplyDeleteTaco John's! I wish we had those here. I haven't had any since I was 6 and we lived in Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I was just thinking about this because Seattle's Best coffee just changed their logo, and the new one is being dubbed "Seattle's Best Blood Bank" (see Google.) And I was wondering yesterday, why do companies feel that logos have to change? Usually these marketing decisions are met with consumer derision, anyhow.
The original Jack in the Box was with a clown that wasn't even freaky, like most clowns are. It is kind off disturbing and unsettling when things that are familiar - even if it is just a logo - is changed. And so many times the "new and improved" ones are so stylized and updated that you lose track of the good old feeling that the original brought you.
ReplyDeleteI work at a Washington State University - they went awry a few years back and changed our logo to this
Thankfully, they went back to the original- one of the most recognizable College Logos!
Thanks for the great post, Darrin
I agree with you, the old logos look like they have more character. I hate when companies constantly change logos like coke and pepsi.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm hungry.... I love how the Colonel's tie looks like a little body....
ReplyDeleteNot too fond of the Colonel's slick look. I have to give Jack-in-the-Box kudos at least for "Jack" in their commercials. He's a riot.
ReplyDeleteI have to say the Jack in the Box logo is a bit creepy but the rest I would agree. Older is better.
ReplyDeleteI too like the older versions. I do think it is the vintage love that makes me feel as I do.
ReplyDeleteMost places are trying to appeal to the younger audiences most who like you said were born after 1980.
The other day I overheard a conversation and one girl said. "I'm so old!" Her friend said "what?? You were born in what 1989?" LOL now I feel old! :)
Hi Darrin! I have to completely agree with you on the Colonel. I grew up watching those old school commercials of him, and mom buying those buckets of chicken when we had outings. Now not only has the logo changed, but the chicken (or whatever it is!) is not the same, so I have not patronized KFC in years. But anyhow, yeah, the colonel is too streamlined now...so sad :(
ReplyDeleteBarb: I know. You can't change the Colonel!! next they'll have him in polo shirts and crap!!
ReplyDeleteMarlene: I love that old logo. It was waaaay better. Just like their pizza used to be!
Senora: You ARE a true California Girl. LOL! I have some very fond memories of Jack in The Box from the 70's.
Maggs: Yes.. the cartoon King was awesome! Heck.. even the live action Burger King from the 70's was better than this creepy dummy they use now!
Lara Ann: I'm with you! The food tasted SO much better in the decades of the 70's and 80's. Once Dave Thomas died, the quality of Wendy's food really suffered =^(
Ginge: I love clothes and merchandise with retro logos! I own several myself!
Mimi: YAY!! I'm not alone!! Seems like lately I'm learning my readers and I are quite in tune! =^D
MoonDoggie: I know I personally bought more Coke and Mountain Dew when they did the retro packaging along with high fructose free recipes!
Bambi: Yeah.. this is the Jack I remember as a boy in the early 70's. So much more fun than the new "Jack"!
ZootSuitMama: HA! Too funny about the Kenny looking Colonel!! Also... Taco John's is waaaaay better than Taco Bell! I used to go there exclusively until Del Taco came to town!
RiotKitty: UGH... I saw the new logo! looks like a logo for a water filtration system. Maybe even a toilet?? You'd think they would do customer testing or surveys for new logo's rather than just pushing them. It really shows they think a lot of themselves to change them on us SO drastically!! At least most of the logo's above resemble their former selves somewhat! The new Seattle's Best logo went from Classy to cheap and tacky overnight!!
BFTP: I wonder why so many companies feel the need to change? It's not like I'm going to stop patronizing them if they utilize their original logos!
PTM: Agreed! It happens ALL the time!!
Obamer: HA! I can't see the tie any other way now that you said that!!
Marrisa: Yeah.. I don't detest him like "The King" and still dig Jack in the Box's marketing.
Jerry: HA! You aren't one of those people who hate clowns are ya? LOL!!
RetroMama: 1989!! A year after I graduated from high school! UGH... I AM old! LOL!
Miss: People don't believe me when I say the chicken is different! Thanks for qualifying this! They say it's the same exact recipe, but c'mon.. the stuff gives me a stomach ache when I eat it now! remember how tasty the Colonel's chicken used to be? Geez I miss it!!
Let me just tell you we don't even have Taco Johns or Jack in the Box out here in NJ. Hubs Andrew is dying for Taco Time which is only available in like far from Denver CO (we found that out while on vacation) and in like Utah or something.
ReplyDeleteFourthGradeNothing.com
I saw something the ohter day that Coke hasn't changed their logo in like 50 years but Pepsi has changed theirs 12 times or some crazy thing. You are definitely right on this one.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. I'm loving it. It rocks!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I work in the advertising biz so I see announcements on revamped logos all of the time and I agree that the originals are classics and work just fine.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! I think a lot of us like a familiar logo, something we grew up with and identify with. New is not always better...
ReplyDeleteAlso, it looks to me like Col. Sanders had himself some major "nip and tuck" work done and wants to show off his "new" younger looking face...
Ally: I've seen Taco Time before!! Not sure if I've ever eaten there before though.
ReplyDeleteCB: I know.. why mess with perfection?!?
Sweet Praline: Aw thanks! Yours rocks as well!!
Pam: Cool! So awesome to hear a perspective from an MAD-Woman! Hee Hee.
Pat: HA!! Yes! Like Wayne newton! LOL!
I totally agree with you. Miss the good ole days.
ReplyDeleteMe Too! It just seemed like marketing was more creative back then.
ReplyDeleteThe old "J-Box" logo above was from the 70s - When the "Jack" cartoon ads were brought out to compete with Ronald McDonald. I remember the earlier logo with "Jack in the Box" in a jazzy font - and the box-shaped restaraunts.
ReplyDeletejamcool: Those old restaurants were awesome! So much more fun than the sterile looking cookie cut buildings they have today!
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