
Denny’s Trademarks
Please note: Gerben IP does not represent Denny’s. This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects information available in public USPTO records.
September 26, 2023
Denny’s, also known as Denny’s Diner or Denny’s Corporation, is one of the largest full-service restaurant chains. It manages licensed and franchised restaurants globally, operating under Denny’s brand.
The restaurant chain is well-known for its wide selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, as well as for being open 24/7 and on holidays. Popular menu items include pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, burgers, and salad entrees. These items are typically served with an assortment of appetizers, beverages, sides, and desserts.
Let’s dive into the company’s history, domestic and global presence, and the trademarks registered under its name.
Denny’s Company History
Denny’s was initially opened as a donut shop under the name Danny’s Donuts in 1953 in Lakewood, California by Harold Butler and Richard Jezak. Butler and Jezak opened six Danny’s Donuts locations together until 1955 when Jezak left the partnership.
A year after Jezak’s departure, Butler changed the concept of Danny’s Donuts, shifting from selling just donuts to a coffee shop. When store number 8 opened, it adopted this new concept, and Danny’s Donuts was renamed Danny’s Coffee Shops. The restaurant chain also changed its hours of operation to 24 hours.
Butler strategically built new Danny’s locations near freeway offramps, which required large signages. In 1959, to avoid confusion with Coffee Dan’s, a Los Angeles restaurant chain, Butler renamed Danny’s Coffee Shop to Denny’s Coffee Shops. The name shortened name, Denny’s was finally adopted in 1961.
Denny’s expansion exploded from the ’60s to the ’80s. By 1981, the restaurant chain had over 1,000 locations across all 50 U.S. states. During its expansion, Denny’s absorbed most of the old Sambo’s restaurants. The company also adopted some of Sambo’s mid-century designs in some of its locations.
One of Denny’s favorite menu items, the Grand Slam breakfast, was introduced in 1977. In 1994, Denny’s began renovations, changing its stores to a lighter color scheme. The renovations started in Houston, Texas, with Denny’s stores in the location serving as the test market.
A few Denny’s locations even served Baskin-Robbins ice cream, albeit for a short while.
On Christmas 1988, Denny’s stores, famous for operating 24/7 all year round, closed for the first time. Only six stores remained open on that day. Reportedly, some of them had lost their keys, and many stores had been built without locks.
Until 1989, Denny’s corporate headquarters was in La Mirada, California. The office was first moved to Irvine, California, before being relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Spartanburg was the corporate headquarters of Denny’s parent company, Trans World (TW) Corporation, which acquired Denny’s in 1987.
In 1992, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a private equity firm, acquired a 47% stake in TW Corporation. The new partners encouraged TW Corporation, later renamed The Flagstar Companies, to sell non-core businesses.
Denny’s operations dominated the company’s sales, so the business renamed itself Denny’s Corporation.
Denny’s Corporation trades in NASDAQ under the symbol DENN.
Denny’s Charity Drives and Birthday Program
As part of its charity drives, Denny’s became the most significant corporate sponsor of Save the Children in 1994. From 1990 to 1996, Denny’s also offered a free meal to anyone on their birthday. The free meal came from a limited number of options in a special birthday menu.
Before the birthday free meal promotion became an official Denny’s program, a few franchises ran it independently.
Too many customers tried to get their free birthday meal more than once, so Denny’s imposed a one-meal-per-person restriction. Additionally, customers now had to present legal proof of their birthday, such as a photo ID, driver’s license, or birth certificate.
In 2009, Denny’s restarted the program, offering a free Birthday Build-Your-Own-Slam.
Deny’s Domestic and International Growth
Denny’s opened its first Australian restaurant in December 1982. The first store was located in the suburb of Forest Hill, Melbourne. Ansett Australia owned the Australian franchise. It expanded to other stores throughout the ’80s.
However, business in Australia did not last for long, with shifting consumer tastes forcing the chain to be sold in 1989, with its closure following shortly after.
Denny’s enjoyed one of its most rapid domestic expansions in July 2010, after Pilot Flying J started opening Denny’s locations inside their branded truck stop locations. Eventually, they completed 123 Pilot Flying J conversions.
By the end of 2011, Denny’s had 1,685 restaurants globally, with 1,593 in the U.S. The company owns a small share of these restaurants, with most franchised.
The 1,593 U.S. locations include Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. International locations include one in Chile, 60 in Canada, three in Costa Rica, five in Mexico, two in El Salvador, two in Honduras, eight in New Zealand, and two in the United Kingdom.
Denny’s Trademarks
Denny’s has obtained a federal trademark registration for over 40 trademarks. Some of the most notable ones include “MOONS OVER MY HAMMY,” “GRAND SLAM,” and “SLAMWICH.”
Denny’s obtained a federal trademark registration for “MOONS OVER MY HAMMY” on January 9, 1996, and uses the trademark for restaurant meals primarily consisting of ham and egg sandwiches.
In April 2012, Denny’s sought federal trademark registration for “AMERICA’S DINER IS ALWAYS OPEN.” The company uses the trademark for restaurant services.
Please note: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy or completeness. If you have any questions regarding a specific entity in Gerben's Trademark Library®, please contact us and we will work with you to provide the information you need.
- DENNY'S TOGETHER
- BANDA BURRITO
- OPEN FOR ANYTHING
- THE MELTDOWN
- DANNY'S DONUTS
- THE BURGER DEN
- THE BURGER DEN
- THE MELTDOWN
- PANCAKE PUPPIES
- FIT FARE
- WE LOVE TO FEED PEOPLE
- THE DEN
- WELCOME TO AMERICA'S DINER
- DENNY'S HUNGRY FOR EDUCA+TION
- GRAND SLAM
- AMERICA'S DINER IS ALWAYS OPEN
- $2 $4 $6 $8 VALUE MENU
- $2 $4 $6 $8
- GRAND SLAM SLUGGER
- SLAMWICH
- DENNY'S FRESH EXPRESS
- Logo #1
- DENNY'S
- DENNY'S DINER CLASSIC OPEN 24 HOURS
- SLAM
- DENNY'S DINER
- DENNY'S DINER
- DENNY'S CLASSIC DINER
- DENNY'S CLASSIC DINER
- ALL-AMERICAN SLAM
- MOONS OVER MY HAMMY
- DENNY'S
- GRAND SLAM
- ULTIMATE OMELETTE
- SUPER BIRD
- JR. GRAND SLAM
- DENNY'S
- DENNY'S
- DENNY'S
- DENNY'S
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Conducting employee incentive award programs to promote employee wellness; Business administration of programs intended to lower health care costs and increase business productivity through employee health, wellness, and nutritional changes; Promoting awareness of the benefits of making health, wellness and nutritional changes in daily living to enable businesses to increase productivity and lower health care costs.
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S (Based on Use in Commerce) Educational services, namely, conducting programs, training, classes, seminars and workshops in the field of mental health and wellness; (Based on Intent to Use) Business training in the field of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). FIRST USE: 20230423. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20230423.
IC 044. US 100 101. G & S Providing mental health and wellness information; Counseling services in the fields of health, nutrition and lifestyle wellness. FIRST USE: 20230423. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20230423.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S On-line ordering services in the field of restaurant take-out and delivery.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption on and off the premises; Restaurant and bar services, including restaurant carryout services. FIRST USE: 20230224. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20230224.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S On-line ordering services in the field of restaurant take-out and delivery. FIRST USE: 20201116. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20201116.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption on and off the premises. FIRST USE: 20100104. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20100104.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S On-line ordering services in the field of restaurant take-out and delivery. FIRST USE: 20200917. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200917.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant; Restaurant and bar services, including restaurant carryout services; Restaurant services; Restaurants featuring home delivery. FIRST USE: 20200917. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200917.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RRestaurants featuring home delivery; Take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20201116. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20201116.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Pancakes; Snack cakes. FIRST USE: 20081209. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20081209.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19940530. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19940530.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20160712. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20161222.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption on and off the premises. FIRST USE: 20140822. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20140822.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption on and off the premises. FIRST USE: 20140109. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20140109.
IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S providing educational scholarships. FIRST USE: 20130719. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20130719.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Prepared breakfast meals consisting primarily of pancakes, breakfast cereals, breads and starches in the nature of biscuits, muffins, and toast and also including up to three other breakfast foods in the nature of hash brown potatoes, bacon, sausage, eggs, ham or yogurt; Prepared breakfast meals for consumption on the premises consisting primarily of pancakes, breakfast cereals, breads and starches in the nature of biscuits, muffins, and toast and also including up to three other breakfast foods in the nature of hash brown potatoes, bacon, sausage, eggs, ham or yogurt. FIRST USE: 20080430. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080430.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20110611. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110611.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption on and off the premises. FIRST USE: 20100403. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20100403.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Restaurant services, including sit-down service of food and take-out restaurant services; Restaurant services, namely, providing of food and beverages for consumption on and off the premises. FIRST USE: 20100403. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20100403.
IC 029. US 046. G & S prepared meals consisting primarily of meat, fish, poultry or vegetables. FIRST USE: 19950227. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19950227.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Deli sandwiches. FIRST USE: 20021115. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20021115.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Carry-out restaurants; Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20071029. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20071029.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES AND CONSULTING IN RELATION THERETO. FIRST USE: 19630300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19630300.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19991021. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19991021.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19990512. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19990512.
IC 029. US 046. G & S RESTAURANT MEALS CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF MEAT, FISH, SEAFOOD, POULTRY, EGGS, VEGETABLES, PROCESSED FRUIT, YOGURT, SALADS, EXCEPT MACARONI, RICE AND PASTA SALAD, OR SOUPS, FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF THE PREMISES. FIRST USE: 20001130. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001130.
IC 030. US 046. G & S RESTAURANT MEALS CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF SANDWICHES, BREADS, BUNS, BISCUITS, PANCAKES, PIZZA, HOTCAKES, WAFFLES, FRENCH TOAST, CREPES, MUFFINS, PASTRY, CEREAL, BAKERY DESSERTS, PASTA, OR RICE, FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF THE PREMISES. FIRST USE: 20001130. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001130.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19980805. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19980805.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19980805. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19980805.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19970513. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970513.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19980222. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19980222.
IC 029. US 046. G & S restaurant meal consisting of eggs, cheese, sausage and bacon, served with one or more of the following side dishes, hashed browns, toast, buttermilk biscuit, or English muffin. FIRST USE: 19930200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930200.
IC 030. US 046. G & S restaurant meals consisting primarily of ham and egg sandwiches and served with one of the following; French fries, salad or soup. FIRST USE: 19920200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19920200.
IC 042. US 100. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19630300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19630300.
IC 029. US 046. G & S breakfast meals consisting primarily of sausage, bacon and eggs with hotcakes. FIRST USE: 19770500. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19791000.
IC 029. US 046. G & S omelette made with three eggs, mushrooms, bacon, sausage, onion, green pepper, tomato and cheese for consumption on the premises. FIRST USE: 19811031. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19811031.
IC 030. US 046. G & S SANDWICH MADE WITH TURKEY, BACON, SWISS CHEESE AND TOMATO ON GRILLED FRENCH BREAD FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF THE PREMISES. FIRST USE: 19751001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19751001.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Breakfast Entree Consisting of Two Pancakes, One Egg, One Strip of Bacon and One Sausage Link for Consumption on the Premises. FIRST USE: 19811231. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19811231.
IC . US 100. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19630305. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19630305.
IC . US 046. G & S SALAD OIL AND DRESSINGS, SEAFOOD COCKTAIL SAUCE, TARTAR SAUCE, MAYONNAISE, COFFEE, VEGETABLE SHORTENING, GRIDDLE FRY (CONSISTING OF A MIXTURE OF VEGETABLE AND COCONUT OIL FOR BROWNING ON A GRILL), PANCAKE SYRUPS, SYRUPS USED FOR FOOD AND FOOD BEVERAGE PURPOSES, AND TOPPINGS OF A FRUIT, CHOCOLATE, AND FUDGE NATURE. FIRST USE: 19620200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19620200.
IC . US 100. G & S Services Rendered in Consulting and Advising Restaurant Operators. FIRST USE: 19590311. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19601120.
IC . US 100. G & S Coffee Shop Services. FIRST USE: 19590311. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19600918.