Burger King's first restaurant opened in 1953 as Insta-Burger King in Jacksonville, Florida. The "Insta" name came from the broiling machines and milkshake machines used in the early restaurants. The Insta-Burger King name was short-lived, lasting for only one year.
Burger King
1954–1957
After Insta-Burger King ran into financial difficulties in 1954, its two Miami-based franchisees David Edgerton and James McLamore purchased the company and renamed it Burger King.
1957–1969
SVG NEEDED
1969–1999
1969–1994
Introduced on May 1, 1969, this logo is two yellow-bun halves sandwiching the text. This logo (and a later modification seen below) remained in use on signage at many older locations until 2001, while many others retained the signs with the old logos until 2004/05. This logo was briefly revived for a commercial during Super Bowl LIII in February 2019. In May of the same year, it was reused on cup drinks to promote the third season of the Netflix series Stranger Things (which takes place in the 1980s).
1994–1999
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Frankfurter
Launched:
Unknown
Introduced on May 1, 1994, this logo is a modified version of the 1969 logo with the text looking much less cartoony than in the original. Although this logo was retired in 1999, it is still used in some countries including Australia, where the Hungry Jack's restaurant chain uses a logo based on this design.
1999–2020
Designer:
Sterling Brands
Typography:
Custom (based on Frankfurter)
Launched:
July 1, 1999
On July 1, 1999, Burger King unveiled a new logo designed by Sterling Brands. This logo is similar to the 1969 and 1994 logos before it, but with a blue C-shaped crescent around the logo. This logo is still used on signs at some locations.
On December 21, 2020, Burger King started rolling out a modified version of the 1969 and 1994 logos. Restaurants, commercials, uniforms, and the majority of Burger King's branding and products have been changed to feature this logo, with its website and mobile apps being updated to include it on January 7, 2021, along with a full overhaul of the website and app. There are currently plans to overhaul Burger King's restaurants, and having this logo be the face of the locations.
