Older is better! Example #124.. restaurant logos (part - 2)

I'm a sucker for ingenious marketing and branding. I especially appreciate the talent and ingenuity it takes to create a good looking corporate logo that can withstand the test of time.  Therefore.. in accord with my recent post on this same topic, I'm going to share some more retro restaurant logos I sorely miss seeing..

 Shakey's Pizza Retro Logo

New Shakey's Logo..

Shakey's Pizza was my family's favorite pizza chain when I was a a boy.  Most of the old signs in front of the restaurants also read "& Ye public House" at the very bottom of the sign.  The logo just had a classic feel to it, that just screamed good old fashioned pizza.  The new logo is anything but classic, and is a bit "in your face" in my humble opinion.  To me.. a pizza parlor established in 1954 should have a logo that exudes a bit more class, and tells some history.

Pizza Inn Retro Logo..

New Pizza Inn Logo..

Pizza Inn was a restaurant chain I remember seeing a lot when I was a kid.  I always loved the old logo featuring that Italian cat hand tossing a pizza.  In fact.. if I could buy a shirt featuring this retro logo I most certainly would!  The new Pizza Inn Logo has been streamlined to the umpteenth degree, leaving it devoid of any character or uniqueness.  To me, it looks like a piece of clip art pulled from a desktop publishing program.

Retro International House of Pancakes Logo

New IHOP Logo..

I wonder.. how many kids these days know that IHOP stands for International House of Pancakes? I could go on a rant about the trend of shortening words and phrases for no other reason than sheer laziness, but I'll save that for another post.  

I absolutely loved The International House of Pancakes as a kid.  As a small boy, I thought the buildings were huge, and was always in awe of the 1960's style A-Frame peaks stretching high into the sky.  I also recall the interior of the restaurants having a very homelike feel, maybe like a bohemian cottage.  Unfortunately nowadays, the restaurants architecture and ambiance, much like their food.. sorely misses the mark.

White Castle Retro Logo

New White Castle Logo

While I do miss the simple and clean design of the vintage White Castle logo, this is one exception where I'm also a fan of the newer one as well.  I like how the new logo now incorporates perspective on the castle, has just the right amount of color, and still utilizes the old White Castle font.  It's fun and classy at the same time.

When I think of just how much restaurants have changed over the last two decades, I've noticed something.  It seems to me that when restaurants don't drastically change their branding, they continue to keep loyal patrons for decades.  I believe it's because the folks at the helm of these establishments know what works, and therefore will not deviate drastically from what has contributed to their success over the years. 

I didn't mean to start delving into the intricacies of the restaurant and fast food industry, so maybe I should wrap it up here and continue the topic in another post.  Until then.. I will continue reminiscing about the excitement and sense of escape I used to enjoy in regards to going out to eat.  Old logo's always stir up all kinds of great memories, so I very well may showcase more retro logo's soon!