Denny’s logo is bright and vibrant, just like the menu of their restaurants. The emblem reflects a love for cuisine and the desire to always be number one. It indicates the unique atmosphere that prevails in the establishments, making guests return time and time again.
Denny’s: Brand overview
Founded: | 1953 |
Founder: | Harold Butler, Richard Jezak |
Headquarters: |
Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
Website: | dennys.com |
Denny’s is a chain of 24-hour fast-food restaurants. The Denny’s logo unites 1698 establishments, most of which are located in America, plus 578 independent restaurants in Japan.
The first donut shop was opened in California by two partners, Butler and Jezak. However, after three years, all assets were transferred to Butler, who transformed six establishments into cafes with spaces for presentations, concerts, and other performances. In the 1980s, the number of such restaurants reached 1000, and they operated around the clock. Thanks to franchising, the chain expanded to South America, New Zealand, and Canada. After Butler’s departure, the chain changed ownership, contributing to its further expansion. Snack bars are now located along highways, near gas stations, and major supermarkets.
Meaning and History
Denny’s logo has changed many times, but its distinctive feature has always been the company’s name, placed right in the center of the composition.
What is Denny’s?
Denny’s is a chain of American diners that operates 24/7. It offers fast food and positions itself as a hospitable place with favorite dishes. Denny’s is owned by a company of the same name.
1953 – 1957
Initially, Denny’s was opened as a donut kiosk. The fluffy pastry with jam inside was served with high-quality coffee and enjoyed great popularity. Therefore, the first logo featured the product itself: a large round donut and a box for packaging the filling sweetness below. The name of the snack bar, “Danny’s Donuts,” was placed on the package. The name Danny’s was simply made up by the owner.
1957 – 1961
Three years later, Butler’s partner left the business. The remaining owner had his own vision for the development of the snack bars. In 1956, he changed the name of the restaurants to “Danny’s Coffee Shops” and introduced a new concept for the establishments. The cafes now operated around the clock, not closing even on holidays. To attract customers shows and concerts were held inside.
Since donuts were no longer the main menu item, a new logo was introduced. The sign was straightforward and seemed to be conceived hastily: the black name “Denny’s” in print letters.
The emblem resembled the notation of weekdays in a calendar. All days in the cafes were the same, without holidays or weekends. The logo also indicated stability and nighttime operation. The brand name was already missing the letter “a,” which was replaced with an “e.” The primary reason was the similarity to the “Coffee Dan’s” night establishments that appeared in the 1920s. Therefore, the company was renamed “Denny’s Coffee Shops.” The last part of the name was gradually removed, leaving only “Denny’s.”
1961 – 1973
The chain was preparing to operate under a franchise system to expand into other cities and countries, which happened in 1963. A new, colorful logo was designed to present the cafes in a presentable manner.
The cowboy-style name indicated the American origin of the snack bars. At the end of each letter, there were notches resembling trays on which waiters served food. The similarity was especially noticeable in the “U,” the lower leg of which was bent like an arm carrying an order.
The caption “restaurant” made it clear what was being offered to visitors. The beige-brown colors corresponded to both the interior and the color of the fried dishes on the menu (pancakes, donuts, fries, toast, and deep-fried chicken).
The shape of the emblem hinted at a takeaway food packaging box.
In some cases, the name was used without a background in a bright red color, indicating fast preparation and always hot dishes.
1973 – 1994
In 1971, Butler handed over the reins and ceased to be the chairman of the company’s board of directors. The new management conducted a review of the brand’s visual identity.
A very bright and attractive logo was designed. The name was executed in a childlike cartoonish font with slightly dancing and rising letters of different sizes. The bright red shade demonstrated a love for their work and fast service. The diagonal placement indicated the constant growth in the number of establishments.
The background shape resembled a breakfast box. Its red border pointed to the delicious contents. The yellow color of the background represented the pleasant emotions visitors experienced in the restaurants.
Overall, the logo became very family-oriented and targeted a younger audience, as the snack bars were often visited by children. The image conveyed festiveness and elegance. Denny’s had a promotion offering free treats on birthdays, attracting birthday guests and their visitors.
1994 – 2002
In 1987, the Trans World Corporation (Flagstar Companies) acquired the restaurants, which were later bought out by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in 1992. The new investors demanded modernization and the sale of unprofitable assets. The fast food chain actively participated in popular public programs, such as “Save the Children.”
The innovations led to a redesign of the logo and the restaurants themselves in 1994.
The name remained at the center but lost its childishness and disorderliness. Slim and beautiful letters soared, lifting the right edge upwards. They symbolized systematic development and a desire for the future. The font conveyed a focus on a wide range of consumers: workers who came out for lunch, business people who solved issues with partners and clients, and families who decided to relax on weekends.
The logo had three layers of substrate. The top two reflected changes in the interior of the establishments. The top layer showed new floors, laid out with tiles of two different shades. The second layer, orange-brown, showed the predominance of these colors in the decor of the restaurants.
The lower substrate was unusual for the emblem. The green color appeared for the first time in the visual identity, symbolizing the new life of the restaurants and the presence of fresh salads and vegan menu items in the assortment.
The multilayeredness demonstrated a focus on a wide range of consumers and hinted at a stack of pancakes and burgers.
2002 – today
In 2002, Flagstar Companies, which had by then been renamed Advantica Restaurant Group, changed its name to Denny’s, as the restaurants were its most profitable project.
The updated emblem of the owners and restaurant chain returns to yellow and red colors without multilayered substrates. The name is written in bold letters with a slight curve in the form of an arch, which demonstrates the friendliness of the establishments and their significant presence worldwide.
Depending on the country, the main logo undergoes minor changes. For example, in Canada, a maple leaf is used instead of an apostrophe, and in America, the slogan “See you at Denny’s” or “Real breakfast 24/7” always accompanies the logo.
Font and Colors
The main colors of the emblem are yellow and red.
- A pleasant yellow symbolizes renewal, bright warm morning sun, which never sets in the establishments around the clock.
- Red indicates love for customers, their business, and a striving to be the best.
The font resembles Titla Cond Black, which makes it stylish and modern.
Denny’s color codes
Golden Yellow | Hex color: | #ffde23 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 255 222 35 | |
CMYK: | 0 13 86 0 | |
Pantone: | PMS 108 C |
Fluorescent Orange | Hex color: | #fec02e |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 254 192 46 | |
CMYK: | 0 24 82 0 | |
Pantone: | PMS 1235 C |
Earth Yellow | Hex color: | #d5ac62 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 213 172 98 | |
CMYK: | 0 19 54 16 | |
Pantone: | PMS 7407 C |
Imperial Red | Hex color: | #ee3338 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 238 51 56 | |
CMYK: | 0 79 76 7 | |
Pantone: | PMS Bright Red C |
Fire Brick | Hex color: | #b32e30 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 179 46 48 | |
CMYK: | 0 74 73 30 | |
Pantone: | PMS 711 C |