Bielefeld (NRW) – A local döner franchise has accused Kentucky Fried Chicken of trademark infringement after the fast-food chain launched a product named “Krispy Kebab” using the exact branding protected by the Bielefeld-based business since 2017.
The Bielefeld döner shop Krispy Kebab, operated by brothers Sergen and Erdal Kolcu, registered the name as a trademark in Germany in 2017 and has used it continuously since then, according to BILD. KFC’s new product, set to launch on April 21, 2026, features toasted kebab bread filled with crispy chicken filets instead of traditional döner meat, priced at 7.99 euros (approximately 7.50 euros) or 11.99 euros as a menu item (approximately 11.30 euros).
Sergen Kolcu told BILD that the use of a “K” in “Krispy” instead of the usual “C” in KFC’s branding is no coincidence, stating: “Normalerweise schreibt KFC Crispy mit C, beim neuen Produkt steht plötzlich ein K.” He added that while his business bears no ill intent, the naming cannot be tolerated: “Wir wollen euch ja nichts Böses, aber so geht das nicht.”
KFC’s advertising campaign compounds the issue, using the 1990s hit “Alles nur geklaut” by Die Prinzen and featuring the slogan “Von den Besten kopiert,” which Kolcu interpreted as a direct jab: “Die meinen doch uns damit!” The fast-food giant maintains in a press release that the product is not meant to reinvent the döner but to offer a version inspired by the original.
The Bielefeld shop has since engaged legal counsel, with the core issue likely to hinge on whether there is a likelihood of confusion among consumers. A public exchange has already emerged online, where Krispy Kebab commented sarcastically under a KFC promotional video: “Bleibt lieber bei den Hot Wings (haben stark nachgelassen).”
Chip.de confirms the product rollout, noting that KFC tested the item in Spain before bringing it to all German locations for a two-month limited run starting April 21, 2026. The outlet similarly contextualizes the move within a broader trend, citing Burger King’s “Kebab Style Lover” launch in late 2025 and Subway’s “Dölicious Chicken” sandwich as prior attempts by fast-food chains to adapt the döner concept.
How the naming choice fuels the dispute
The Bielefelder brothers argue that KFC’s deliberate shift from “Crispy” to “Krispy” in the product name mirrors their protected trademark too closely to be accidental, especially given the identical use of “Kebab.” This phonetic similarity, combined with the visual and marketing overlap, strengthens their claim of potential consumer confusion under German trademark law.
What KFC says about the product’s authenticity
KFC insists the Krispy Kebab is not a replica of the traditional döner but rather an interpretation using its signature crispy chicken filets in kebab bread, accompanied by salad, tomatoes, onions, two sauces, and an additional spice. The company frames the launch as a homage rather than a copy, emphasizing that it does not seek to replace the original döner experience.
