KFC lets Yorkshire pub keep its family feast
10 May, 2007
Tan Hill Inn keeps Christmas offer
Festive diners at Britain's highest pub will still be able to enjoy a family feast this Christmas, after fast food giant KFC backed down from a threat to bring legal action against the Tan Hill Inn in Yorkshire
The pub had advertised its Christmas accommodation and dinner package as a family feast, prompting legal threats from KFC's lawyers. The fried chicken specialist owns the trademark 'Family Feast', used of one of its bucket meals.
Licensees Tracy Daly and Mike Peace stood firm in the face of the legal threat, believing there was no danger of anyone confusing the two operations. The threat from the big brand to a small business created a storm of media interest, with Tracy appearing on national and local TV and radio.
The David and Goliath coverage seems to have been a factor in KFC's change of heart. A spokesperson said: “KFC has to protect its trademarks against those who seek to trade off its brand. KFC has spoken to Mrs. Daly at the Tan Hill Inn and confirmed that it will not take this case any further.
"This means that Mrs Daly can continue to use the phrase “family feast” on the pub’s Christmas menu. It’s an unusual situation that has been blown out of all proportion.”
Tracy said: "Common sense has prevailed."
Readers' comments
Yet another US multinational throwing their weight around over here. You can imagine how the Tan Hill could have really affected sales at the pub's local KFC. It reminds of MacDonald's once trying to sue a sandwich bar in Scotland over the name, even though it had been around for years, didn't have "golden arches" or advertise itself as a restaurant. Or sell burgers. They soon backed down when the head of the MacDonald's clan threatend them with abusing his family name.
Totally agree with David Butcher. Perhaps KFC should be sued for degrading and debasing the English language by their description of their "food". And until I saw the KFC advert I thought only farmyard animals got their food in buckets.
Maybe KFC should be checked out under the Trades Description Act (or whatever). To describe a bucketfull of chicken bits and chips (fries) as a 'feast' is amazing in itself. The only thing that has come out of this story is a lot a great advertising for the pub. I have bookmarked their web site for future reference for a holiday trip later in the year.