Fast food giant KFC has demanded a Christchurch food truck immediately change its branding, alleging it has infringed on the major brand’s trademark rights.
Benjamin Yang, 17, opened Yang’s Fried Chicken (YFC) in late 2024 with the help of his mum.
The food truck on Riccarton Rd, parked up outside a Mobil petrol station, sells Korean fried chicken – a recipe inspired by Yang’s father, who died when he was a one-year-old.
Yang’s mother, Kathy Qiu, looks after the shop during the day and the teenager works there after school.
The food truck’s logo, designed by Yang himself, features his face on a red background with “YFC” in white font. He said he didn’t think much of the design at the time.
But when he started work at the truck on June 3, Yang received a folder of legal documents in the post that gave him “a real fright”.
“We act for Kentucky Fried Chicken International Holdings LLC,” the letter read.
“While our client can appreciate the place that parody and satire have in social media marketing, our client is concerned that your actions will cause damage and dilution to its well-known brand.”
Stuff
