Unbelievable pictures reveal the real people behind popular brand mascots – from KFC to Wendy’s
You know the logos, but did you know that the stories behind the most iconic cartoon faces of America’s most popular chains won’t surprise you?
While they may exist in the takeout world, some of the most recognizable logos in the world are based on real people – some of whom are even still alive.
FEMAIL takes a look at all the iconic and recognisable logos you encounter every day.
The real Wendy, whose real name is Melinda – Wendy is her nickname – is the daughter of founder R. David Thomas
The logo shows a cute red-haired girl with a handful of freckles and blue bows in her hair
Wendy’s
You know the fast food chain’s logo for its bright red hair and mischievous smile. But did you know that this cute cartoon girl is based on a real person?
Fast food chain Wendy’s was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio, by Dave Thomas.
Their logo features a cute red-haired girl with some freckles and blue bows in her hair.
The real Wendy, whose real name is Melinda (Wendy is her nickname), is the daughter of the founder.
At the age of eight, Wendy was chosen by her father to be the face of the chain, posing in a red and white dress to be immortalized as the symbol of the fast food restaurant.
In a piece for People Wendy remembers that in 1990, she beat out her two older sisters, Pam and Molly, and her brother, Kenny, for the honor of becoming mascot.
In a 2019 blog post, Wendy wrote that she still loves being the face of the famous fast food chain, even after all these years.
“I will always love this brand, but not because my name is on the buildings,” Wendy wrote in a post published on the website.
“I love our products. I love our burgers. I just love everything. Why wouldn’t I? It’s our business. Our family business.”
Harland Sanders was born in 1890 and grew up on a farm in Indiana. In 1930, he began selling fried chicken from his restaurant.
The KFC logo features Colonel Harland David Sanders, the chain’s founder
KFC
The iconic KFC logo was created in 1952 and was based on a portrait of Colonel Harland David Sanders, the chain’s founder.
Harland Sanders was born in 1890 and grew up on a farm in Indiana. In 1930, he started selling fried chicken from his restaurant.
From Business insiderIn 1950, Sanders was given the title of colonel by the governor of Kentucky. He began dressing in a white suit and growing a goatee, making him a perfect, recognizable mascot and logo.
The current iconic logo consists of a black outline of the Colonel, wearing glasses, a goatee and a bow tie, with red stripes on either side.
The famous restaurant founder remained the face of the fast food chain even after he sold the company in 1964.
Debbie (pictured) is the daughter of brand founder OD McKee and his wife Ruth, who founded McKee Foods in 1934
The cute logo features a young girl with blushing cheeks and curly brown hair that rests just above her shoulders, wearing a straw hat and a light blue dress.
Little Debbie
Little Debbie, the Southern-based brand of petite snack cakes, has a logo of an adorable little girl, which is based on a real person.
The design features a young girl with blushing cheeks and curly brown hair that falls just above her shoulders, complete with a straw hat and a light blue dress.
The cute cartoon is a almost identical to the portrait of the real Debbie McKee-Fowler – who was four years old when she was photographed.
The daughter of brand founder OD McKee and his wife Ruth, who founded McKee Foods in 1934.
Debbie McKee-Fowler remains active in the industry and currently serves as Executive Vice President and on the Board of Directors of McKee Foods.
According to the Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s mascot is based on TV host Willard Scott
Ronald McDonald has since become the most recognizable clown around
Ronald McDonald
He’s the most recognizable clown out there – and Ronald McDonald is based on a real person.
Although he may look too unrealistic to be true, the mascot was actually based on a clown from Washington, D.C.
According to the Wall Street JournalMcDonald’s mascot is based on TV host Willard Scott.
Scott, a television host and announcer in Washington, DC, played a character called Bozo the Clown from 1959 to 1962.
McDonald’s advertising executives contacted Scott, who had worked as a clown for many years.
But in 1966, they dropped him as a celebrity clown when they decided to introduce other Ronald McDonalds and make the clown a national figure, noting that it would be difficult to find people with the same build in every market.
The real chef, Hector Boiardee, was born in 1897 in Piacenza, Italy, and emigrated to New York City, where he worked in restaurants
Chef Boyardee is a beloved brand of Italian canned pasta products – and the cartoon chef himself is based on a real person
Chef Boyardee
Chef Boyardee is a beloved brand of canned Italian pasta products. The cartoon chef himself is based on a real person.
The logo shows a smiling chef in his white suit with a siren-red scarf. A striking difference in the modern logo with the real chef is Chef Hector’s dark moustache.
Hector Boiardee was an Italian chef born in Piacenza, Italy in 1897. He emigrated to New York City and worked in restaurants.
He eventually rose to the position of chef at the famed Plaza Hotel and in 1924 opened his own restaurant, Il Giardino d’Italia, in Cleveland.
Together with his brothers Mario and Paul, he founded the company Chef Boyardee in 1928.
They decided to spell the name phonetically so Americans could pronounce it.
Lorraine Collett Petersen was 17 when she was immortalized in the logo in 1910 after being asked to hold a basket and pose for a watercolor painting.
Sun-Maid is known for their raisins and dried fruit – and their logo, featuring a smiling woman in a bright red hood, is based on a real girl
Sun girl
Sun-Maid is known for its raisins and dried fruit. Its logo, featuring a smiling woman in a bright red hood, is based on a real girl.
Lorraine Collett Petersen was 17 when she was immortalised in the logo in 1910, after being asked to hold a basket and pose for a watercolour painting.
The Missouri native was working at the time as a planter, packer and promoter for a subsidiary of the Sun-Maid company in Fresno, California.