Carl's Jr. is a well-known American fast-food chain founded in 1941 by Carl Karcher and his wife Margaret in Los Angeles, California. Originally a hot-dog cart, the company quickly grew, adding hamburgers to the menu in 1945. Over the years, it has become famous for its burgers and expanded globally, with over 1,500 locations.

Logo Evolution

1. 1945 – 1956 The first logo featured a black banner with the words "Carl’s" and "Drive-In Barbecue," accompanied by a monochrome star with a triple outline on top. The star and bold lettering reflected the brand's youthful energy.

2. 1956 – 1975 In 1956, the company shortened its name to "Carl’s Jr." and redesigned the logo. The smiling yellow star was introduced, holding a soda and hamburger. This playful, cheerful star would become the iconic symbol of the brand.

3. 1975 – 1978 The logo was modified with the dancing star now holding the hamburger and cup in different hands. The "Carl’s Jr." lettering was in a bold sans-serif style, emphasizing the casual, fun vibe of the chain.

4. 1978 – 1987 The logo became simpler with a stronger, solid outline and the star was placed above the brand name. The bouncing letters reflected the energetic nature of the brand, and all additional details were removed for a cleaner design.

5. 1987 – 2006 The star was repositioned next to the brand name once again. The font changed to a rounded serif typeface, adding a more mature, bold look, while still maintaining a friendly character.

6. 2006 – 2017 The logo underwent a major redesign, with a white script font outlined in black. The star was placed diagonally to the left, accompanied by the tagline “Charbroiled Burgers” below. This logo aimed to communicate the quality of the food.

7. 2017 A brief period followed where the star was less expressive and the brand name changed to black, making the logo more minimalist. The smiling face and black outline of the star were removed

8. 2017 – 2018 Realizing the importance of the smiling star in its brand identity, the company brought back the happy face of the star. The logo returned to a more familiar, energetic style.

9. 2018 – 2022 The lettering was simplified, with fewer curves and a more confident appearance. The star was repositioned, and its red outline became more prominent. The star's eyebrows were reintroduced to enhance its expression.

10. 2022 – Today The current logo brings back the familiar yellow star and keeps the bold, simple font. The star was slightly tilted and enhanced with a 3D effect, making it stand out more as the brand's main symbol.

Font and Color

The custom script font used in Carl's Jr.'s logo is unique to the brand, though it has similarities to fonts like Kathya Script and TT Polls Script Bold. The color palette of black, yellow, and red conveys energy, warmth, and professionalism, with the star providing a sense of fun and friendliness.

Carl's Jr.'s logo has evolved over the years from a classic, detailed design to a modern, simplified look. The yellow star has been a consistent element, symbolizing the brand's joyful, youthful energy and fun attitude towards fast food. Today, the logo reflects both tradition and modernity, with the 3D star enhancing its iconic status.