Then and Now: The evolution of 23 fast food logos

Do you remember the original looks of Burger King, Taco Bell, Sonic, Subway and more?

The favorite restaurant chains of America may be quick at serving food, but they are more reluctant at change. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Still, some of these joints have been around for decades and they have slowly evolved over the years.

Sometimes, the transformations are extreme. Who remembers Pizza Pete or Taco Bell before it was purple and pink? Being who we are, we prefer the fonts, colors and cartoons of the bygone era. Let's take a look back at how some of the most familiar quick service restaurant brands have changed. 

Do you remember these retro logos?

A&W

Image: Gregg Koenig / Flickr

The root beer and grub chain also featured the charming cartoon Burger Family — Papa Burger, Mama Burger, Teen Burger and Baby Burger.

Applebee's

Image: Logopedia

We remember the "T.J." before the Applebee's, but we don't recall the "Rx for edibles & elixers" bit. Sounds more like an apothecary.

Baskin Robbins

Image: Logopedia

See how many of the 31 flavors you can name.

Burger King

Image: grayflannelsuit.net

The Florida-born giant began with more of a cartoon look, from its wordmark to the little king.

Carl's Jr.

Image: Logopedia

What a happy little star. He's still jolly, despite losing his feet.

Chick-Fil-A

Image: Logopedia

This reminds us of Foghorn Leghorn, whom we'd rather not eat.

Chili's

Image: Dallas News

More of a sit-down restaurant, Chili's does offer a To-Go. In any case, we wanted to include it. Though it looks printed up at a Kinko's, the original menu features a logo not too far off from the modern era.

Dairy Queen

Image: grayflannelsuit.net

We could go for a parfait right about now.

Domino's Pizza

Image: Domino's / Pinterest

The Michigan pizza chain began as Domi-Nick's. The three dots on the domino originally represented the number of locations.

Dunkin' Donuts

Image: Logopedia

They went from coffee colors to frosting colors.

Hardee's

Image: Logopedia

From super-'50s to super-'70s to… well, Carl's Jr.

IHOP

Image: Heather David / Flickr

Will children of the future even know what "IHOP" stands for?

Jack in the Box

Image: logomyway

Of course, there used to be a clown on a spring, as well.

KFC

Image: gothphotographer

The Colonel always looked like kind of a hipster.

Little Caesar's

Image: Little Caesar's / flyoverculturedotcom

The original name was "Little Caesar's Pizza Treat." They got out of the fish and shrimp game long ago.

Long John Silver's

Image: Logopedia

That looks a bit like Nemo. Aww, why'd you have to make us think of Nemo?

McDonald's

Image: Logopedia

Which was your favorite era? We dig the double arches look. The very first iteration, with the "Famous Barbecue" proclamation, gives some credibility to the McRib.

Pizza Hut

Image: Logopedia

Pizza Pete looked like a descendent of Little Caesar.

Sonic Drive-In

Image: grayflannelsuit.net

Now that is a cool logo. It looks as if it came right off a guitar amplifier.

Starbucks

Image: Logopedia

It's evolved from Herman Melville to Splash.

Subway

Image: Logopedia

New font, same arrows.

Taco Bell

Image: Logopedia

We miss the sunset palette, which matched the colors of the tomatoes, cheese and corn. The new color scheme matches a Barbie Dream House.

Wendy's

Image: Logopedia

She's not quite as "Old Fashioned" as she used to be.

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3 Comments

itsGretchen 18 months ago
Call me kooky, but I prefer and liked all the original logos. They seemed to have soul, whereas the new ones just lack soul. Sure, they're 'cleaner' looking, but soulless.
Dan 49 months ago
Wow, can't believe Starbucks had a topless mermaid in their logo.
ChrisPalumbo 49 months ago
The only thing really missing from one of these is the new Dunkin' logo, since they changed from Dunkin' Donuts to just Dunkin last year.
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