Reimagining Benny’s Burger (1983)

Disclaimer: This is a hypothetical case study created for portfolio purposes. “Benny’s Burger” is a fictional diner shown in Stranger Things (Season 1). This project is not affiliated with Netflix.

In Stranger Things, Benny’s Burger is depicted as a small-town American diner set in 1983. While the environment feels authentic to the era, the original logo lacked the visual language commonly used in food branding at that time.

The original logo felt out of place because it:

Appeared too clean and modern

Lacked handcrafted character

Didn’t translate well to signage, packaging, or neon

Failed to reflect early-80s diner culture

Food branding in 1983 was physical-first—designed for boards, bags, and storefronts, not screens.

To redesign the logo so it:

Feels authentic to 1983

Blends naturally into a small-town diner setting

Works across signage, packaging, and storefronts

Retains warmth, familiarity, and personality

The redesigned logo uses:

Hand-drawn typography

A burger-led visual identity

Circular badge structure for signage

Warm, saturated colors

Slight imperfections to avoid a digital feel

The result is a logo that feels crafted, nostalgic, and era-appropriate.

The logo was tested across:

Storefront signage

Neon-style boards

Takeaway packaging (bags & cups)

Each application reinforces the diner’s 1983 visual identity while remaining functional and readable.

This hypothetical redesign places Benny’s Burger firmly within its time—visually aligning the brand with its environment, culture, and storytelling context.

Great branding isn’t just about style—it’s about belonging to a time and place.