- Fernando’s in Reading has been told to change name and logo in trademark row
- Nando’s have claimed it is an infringement of its intellectual property rights
- But Fernando’s owner says he was inspired by the Take Me Out holiday island
Nando’s has demanded an independent chicken shop called Fernando’s change its name and logo in a trademark row.
The popular restaurant chain sent a legal letter to Fernando’s in Reading claiming the name and logo are too similar to its trademarked branding.
But the restaurant’s owner has hit back at the claims by saying he was actually inspired by the dating show Take Me Out and based the name on the fictional island of Fernando’s.
The letter sent to the owners claimed that the cockerel and chilli images that Fernando’s uses on its menus and in store are ‘highly similar’ to the Nando’s-owned trademarks ‘Barcelos Cockerel’ and ‘Peri-ometer’.
Nando’s has demanded independent chicken shop Fernando’s in Reader (pictured) change its name and logo in a trademark row
The letter sent to the owners claimed that the cockerel and chilli images that Fernando’s uses on its menus and in store are ‘highly similar’ to the Nando’s-owned trademarks ‘Barcelos Cockerel’ and ‘Peri-ometer’
Nando’s also claimed that the Fernando’s name is too similar to its own.
Owner Asam Aziz told Get Reading that he felt he was being bullied into changing his company’s name.
He said: ‘I’m frustrated. We’re a new business and I’ve invested every penny I have, a potential law suit will make me go under.
‘If I change the name that’s another expense I’ll have to change the signage, the graphics, have new menus, it’s an unnecessary cost to me.’
Mr Aziz added that he named the restaurant after the island where couples go on dates because couples often go to Fernando’s together for a meal.
A Nando’s spokesman said: ‘We are really proud of our brand and we know it means a lot to our customers.
‘That’s why whenever we think there is trademark infringement we try to sort it out amicably.
‘We have asked this restaurant to re-brand because we believe it is trying to benefit from some of the things that make us who we are – our menu, logo and even our name.’
But the restaurant’s owner Asam Aziz has hit back at the claims by saying he was actually inspired by the dating show Take Me Out and based the name on the fictional island of Fernando’s (pictured: Fernando’s website)