Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken threatens legal action over ‘Uncle Remy’s’ name dispute
CHICAGO — The owners of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken say they have formally confronted what they describe as a “fraudulent trademark infringement” involving a newly opened restaurant operating under the name “Uncle Remy’s Saucy Fried Chicken,” escalating a controversy that has stirred intense debate across Black Chicago social media.
In a video posted Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5:22 p.m., a representative of the Uncle Remus organization said the family-owned business has been “inundated with calls, texts and inbox messages” from customers alerting them to locations operating under the Uncle Remy’s name, including sites reported in Lansing and on Chicago’s South Side near 75th Street.
“I appreciate all of the concern from my many loyal friends and customers,” the speaker said, describing widespread confusion and outrage over what she characterized as “blatant infringement upon the name and likeness of a brand that my family has had well over 65 years.”
Founded in 1969, Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken is one of Chicago’s most recognizable Black-owned food institutions, with deep roots on the West Side and a brand identity closely tied to neighborhood culture, entrepreneurship and survival amid decades of economic disinvestment. The speaker emphasized that legacy, saying the business was built “brick by brick, blood, sweat and tears.”
According to the video, Uncle Remus holds both federal and state trademarks for its name and brand identity. The company has already taken steps to enforce those rights.
“We own the trademark, federally and state, for Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken,” the speaker said. “You cannot even copy the likeness to cause any confusion.”
She said that, under the guidance of legal counsel, the owners have personally notified the operators of Uncle Remy’s and demanded that they immediately remove the name and branding. If the request is not honored, she said, further legal action will follow.
“If they don’t comply — which I hope they do — we will definitely be taking further legal action,” she said.
The video also included a broader appeal to the community, framing the dispute as larger than a single business. The speaker warned against what she described as a recurring pattern of outsiders or competitors exploiting established Black brands for credibility.
“We cannot continually allow others to come in and kill, steal and destroy something that we have all built,” she said. “And I’m not just talking about my brand. I’m talking about anyone else who has a brand that they have built. It is not going to be tolerated or accepted.”
The owners of Uncle Remy’s Saucy Fried Chicken have not issued a public response to the video as of Thursday, and no court filings have been publicly announced. The video identified the listed ownership of the Uncle Remy’s business as Ahmad Almajhabi and Jose Fernando Guitirrez.
The dispute follows days of public criticism from Chicago commentators and community figures who argued that the similarity between the two names creates consumer confusion and undermines a long-standing Black-owned legacy. The Uncle Remus response marks the first direct public statement from the brand confirming legal action is being pursued.
For now, the company says it hopes the matter can be resolved quickly.
“Hopefully it’ll be all over soon,” the speaker said. “Thank you all for always continuing to be a great support.”
The situation continues to draw attention as Chicago grapples with questions of cultural ownership, brand protection and what respect for legacy looks like in a city where food is inseparable from identity.
