KFC is not amused with Obama Fried Chicken
There is a saying, “Imitation is the best form of flattery”. But this is not always the case. In an article posted in All Business, some Chinese university students parodied KFC with their Obama Fried Chicken restaurant. Their logo, featuring President Obama and Colonel Sander’s bow-tie and apron, created furor among Americans and KFC. KFC is not amused, “We’re considering legal action as it is a knock-off and has nothing to do with us and it infringes on our brand trademark”.
China has a rich history of ripping off fast-food concepts from the United States. Sometimes, the faux franchises are actually cute and funny, like Dairy Fairy, a Dairy Queen knockoff.
But almost no one is laughing at the latest offering out of China: Obama Fried Chicken.
The restaurant, started by a group of university students in Bejing, features a logo of President Barack Obama dressed in the same bow-tie and apron made famous by Colonel Sanders.
“It’s insulting, offensive and plays to racial stereotypes,” the Rev. Al Sharpton told the New York Post. “What makes it even worse is that when we deal with this global competition between the U.S. and China, for them to be mocking the leader of the free world, I find it even more appalling.”
In fairness, it’s not really China doing the mocking. It’s just a couple of college kids who say they are running the restaurant in their spare time. And whether they are being racist, or simply looking for a cheap yet effective marketing gimmick, is a matter of debate.
In any event, Obama Fried Chicken has managed to gain the attention of KFC. And they’re not laughing either. “We’re considering legal action as it is a knock-off and has nothing to do with us and it infringes on our brand trademark,” KFC said in a statement. “We find it distasteful.”
Bowing to the pressure, the newly launched Obama Fried Chicken has already changed its name to UFO. Why UFO? Who knows, but a lawsuit from Steven Spielberg probably won’t be far behind.
Photo by mul14
