Overview

• The ARD podcast 'Döner Papers' concluded that Mehmet Unay, a retired graphic designer, likely created the Dönermann logo in 1986/87 as part of a minor assignment.
• Unay used a clip-art catalog image of a chef holding a roast, modifying it to include a skewer and knife to reflect Döner culture.
• Unay did not secure copyright for the logo, which is now trademarked by an unrelated entrepreneur, leaving its legal ownership ambiguous.
• Orhan Tançgil has recently presented a rival claim, attributing the logo's creation to his late father, Mehmet Tançgil, adding to the debate over its authorship.
• The Dönermann graphic has achieved widespread cultural significance in Germany, appearing on packaging, apparel, and even in political campaigns.