Starbucks Used to Have a Much Longer Name

Why company dumped Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spices, and why other brands changed their names
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 29, 2019 10:00 AM CDT
Starbucks Used to Have a Much Longer Name
In this July 10, 2019, photo, customers visit a Starbucks in Minneapolis.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

In a world where our texting shorthand includes "BRB," "LOL," and "K," is it any surprise that we now have brands calling themselves WW, RH, and KFC? USA Today reports on eight companies that have truncated or otherwise modified their original monikers, for various reasons. The newspaper notes that some of the new names were abbreviations customers already used; on the flip side, other refreshed labels just aren't catching on as easily. Read on to see what some of the most well-known companies in America used to go by:

  • Current name: Starbucks; old name: Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spices
  • Current name: Dunkin'; old name: Dunkin' Donuts
  • Current name: KFC; old name: Kentucky Fried Chicken
  • Current name: WW; old name: Weight Watchers
  • Current name: Apple; old name: Apple Computers
  • Current name: RH; old name: Restoration Hardware
  • Current name: Walmart; old name: Wal-Mart
  • Current name: Tesla; old name: Tesla Motors
Find more details here on why each company made the switch.
(More name change stories.)

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