KFC has a total of 23 patents globally, out of which 21 have been granted. Of these 23 patents, more than 39% patents are active. United States of America is where KFC has filed the maximum number of patents, followed by Europe (EPO) and United Kingdom. Parallelly, United States of America seems to be the main focused R&D centre and also is the origin country of KFC.
KFC was founded in the year 1952. The Company operates a chain of restaurants. The Company offers chicken flavor snacks, sandwiches, desserts, bowls, sides and box meals.
Do read about some of the most popular patents of KFC which have been covered by us in this article and also you can find KFC patents information, the worldwide patent filing activity and its patent filing trend over the years, and many other stats over KFC patent portfolio.
How many patents does KFC have?
KFC has a total of 23 patents globally. These patents belong to 21 unique patent families. Out of 23 patents, 9 patents are active.
How Many Patents did KFC File Every Year?
Are you wondering why there is a drop in patent filing for the last two years? It is because a patent application can take up to 18 months to get published. Certainly, it doesn’t suggest a decrease in the patent filing.
| Year of Patents Filing or Grant | KFC Applications Filed | KFC Patents Granted |
| 2015 | – | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| 2013 | 6 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 | – |
| 2009 | 1 | – |
| 2008 | – | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 | – |
| 2003 | 1 | – |
How many KFC patents are Alive/Dead?
How Many Patents did KFC File in Different Countries?
Countries in which KFC Filed Patents
| Country | Patents |
| United States of America | 21 |
| Europe (EPO) | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
Where are Research Centres of KFC Patents Located?
10 Best KFC Patents
USD573466S1 is the most popular patent in the KFC portfolio. It has received 75 citations so far from companies like Zak Designs, Applied Materials and Zume Inc.
Below is the list of 10 most cited patents of KFC:
| Publication Number | Citation Count |
| USD573466S1 | 75 |
| USD568765S1 | 73 |
| USD699106S1 | 65 |
| US8193470B1 | 53 |
| US7293695B2 | 50 |
| USD521382S1 | 40 |
| US8770431B1 | 27 |
| USD686467S1 | 26 |
| USD541148S1 | 24 |
| US20070264450A1 | 19 |
What Percentage of KFC US Patent Applications were Granted?
KFC (Excluding its subsidiaries) has filed 19 patent applications at USPTO so far (Excluding Design and PCT applications). Out of these 15 have been granted leading to a grant rate of 83.33%.
Below are the key stats of KFC patent prosecution at the USPTO.
Which Law Firms are managing US Patents for KFC?
| Law Firm | Total Applications | Success Rate |
| Stites & Harbison Pllc | 10 | 80.00% |
| Covington & Burling Llp | 5 | 80.00% |
| Dicke Billig & Czaja | 2 | 100.00% |
| Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear Llp | 1 | 0% |
| Paul J Berman | 1 | 100.00% |
List of KFC Patents
| KFC Patents | Title |
| USD737677S1 | Food Container |
| USD732953S1 | Food Package |
| USD714148S1 | Lid For Food Package |
| US8770431B1 | Sauce Tray And Lid System For Food Container |
| USD699106S1 | Food Tray |
| USD686467S1 | Eating Utensil |
| EU0021780530001S | Chairs |
| GB90021780530001S | Chairs |
| USD667732S1 | Beverage Container |
| USD656816S1 | Food Container |
| US8193470B1 | Self-Cleaning Convection Oven |
| USD573466S1 | Removable Absorbent Insert For Food Container |
| USD568765S1 | Compartmented Food Package |
| US7293695B2 | Interactive Compartmented Food Package |
| USD542128S1 | Container With Lid |
| USD541148S1 | Container With Lid |
| US20070264450A1 | Removable Absorbent Insert For Food Container |
| US20070204856A1 | Grill Rack And Method |
| USD532655S1 | Rack |
| USD527259S1 | Combined Container Lid And Container Cover |
| USD527260S1 | Combined Container Lid And Container Cover |
| USD521382S1 | Container Lid |
| USD520874S1 | Container Cover |
What Technologies are Covered by KFC?
Patents related to Design includes ornamental or unique design of Food or Beverage containers, Food packages, Food tray, Utensils, and Rack.
Patents filed under Food Package category relates to Interactive compartmented food package, Removable absorbent insert for food container, and tray and lid system for food container.
Oven related patents includes self-cleaning convection oven and Grill rack and process of grilling.
The most cited patent, US7293695B2-Interactive compartmented food package relates to a low-cost compartmented food package that is simple to assemble, stays firmly expanded and operational, and has characteristics that make it interactive and enjoyable for children.
A single blank of paperboard material is used to make a food packaging in line with the innovation. It is inexpensive to produce, simple to handle, and durable and reliable in usage, meaning that it remains enlarged and operational after store staff have put it up. Furthermore, it contains parts that serve a purpose other than holding or containing food, such as an interactive component that can engage and hold a child’s attention. The invention’s food package is a “kids meal” package featuring pre-staging of some meal elements and final assembly at the point of sale. The packaging consists of a base or tray piece and a detachable cover, as well as a way to make it interactive and enjoyable for kids. It can be used for takeout or in-store dining. The lid can be printed with designs or other materials and then detached from the packaging along a perforated line to act as a standalone collectable item, game piece, or other item.
The chart below distributes patents filed by KFC in different countries on the basis of the technology protected in patents. It also represents the markets where KFC thinks it’s important to protect particular technology inventions.
R&D Focus: How KFC search focus changed over the years?
What are KFC key innovation segments?
What Technologies are Covered by KFC?
The chart below distributes patents filed by KFC in different countries on the basis of the technology protected in patents. It also represents the markets where KFC thinks it’s important to protect particular technology inventions.
R&D Focus: How has KFC search focus changed over the years?
EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS COMING SOON!
Interested in knowing about the areas of innovation that are being protected by KFC?
Authored By: Navjyot Singh, Insights;Gate Team
