[4]
Earlier today, Burger King ran full-page ads [5] in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune calling for a “ceasefire on these so called burger wars” by inviting McDonald’s to help them create the newest fast food monstrosity: the McWhopper. Ronald and McD’s CEO, Steve Easterbrook, weren’t exactly amused.
BK’s plan is to combine the two companies’ signature burgers – the Big Mac and Whopper – then sell it at a pop-up restaurant somewhere in Atlanta on September 21. Proceeds would benefit Peace One Day, a nonprofit that aims to make the date an “annual day of global unity, a day of intercultural cooperation on a scale that humanity has never known.”
The proposed recipe for the burger combines six ingredients from the Whopper – including a flame grilled patty, onions, and six from the Big Mac – including whatever they use for a burger patty and the Thousand Island knockoff they call a special sauce.
BK has even created a website, mcwhopper.com [6], which outlines their proposal and even goes so far as to provide mockups of packaging and employee uniforms. The site states they chose Atlanta since it’s roughly the halfway point between their headquarters in Miami and McD’s in Chicago.
Easterbrook responded to the proposal earlier this morning on Facebook with a brief, albeit, saucy statement:
“Dear Burger King,
Inspiration for a good cause… great idea.
We love the intention but think our two brands could do something bigger to make a difference.
We commit to raise awareness worldwide, perhaps you’ll join us in a meaningful global effort?
And every day, let’s acknowledge that between us there is simply a friendly business competition and certainly not the unequaled circumstances of the real pain and suffering of war.
We’ll be in touch.
-Steve, McDonald’s CEO
P.S. A simple phone call will do next time.”
The stunt may come at a good time for two of the largest burger chains in America as both struggle to deal with changing fads in health-conscious consumerism and continued social awareness efforts to curb obesity. Burger King recently lost its position [7] as the world’s number two burger chain to Wendy’s while McDonald’s profit margins [8] have continued to plunge since June of 2013 [9].
Burger collusion aside, this is at the very least, an interesting, slightly dopey attempt at promoting corporate responsibly and really makes us curious about what the McWhopper would taste like. Might as well take an early lunch, hit up the two restaurants and smash the two burgers together…
[original [4]]