View source for Big King

{{Short description|Hamburger sold by Burger King}}
{{about|the hamburger|the hill in Auckland, New Zealand|Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta}}
{{good article}}
{{Nutritional value
| name         = Big King
| image        = [[File:BK Big King (2014) (crop and color balance correction).jpg|225 px]]
| caption      = North American version of{{br}}the BK Big King sandwich (April 2016)
| serving_size = 1 sandwich (198&nbsp;g)
| kcal         = 530
| fat          = 31 g (48%)
| satfat       = 11 g (55%)
| transfat     = 1.5 g
| opt2n        = Cholesterol
| opt2v        = 75 mg
| sodium_mg    = 790
| carbs        = 38 g (13%)
| fiber        = 2 g (8%)
| sugars       = 8 g
| protein      = 19 g (38%)
| vitA_ug      =
| vitC_mg      =
| vitE_mg      =
| calcium_mg   =
| iron_mg      =
| source       = [https://www.bk.com/pdfs/nutrition.pdf Burger King USA]{{br}}Nutritional guides: Core, Regional and Limited Time Offerings,{{br}}April 2016
| note         = 
}}

The '''Big King''' sandwich is one of the major [[hamburger]] products sold by the international [[fast-food restaurant]] chain [[Burger King]], and was part of its menu for more than twenty years. As of March 2019, it is sold in the United States under its 1997 Big King XL formulation. During its testing phase in 1996–1997, it was originally called the '''Double Supreme''' and was configured similarly to the [[McDonald's]] [[Big Mac]]—including a three-piece roll. It was later reformulated as a more standard double burger during the latter part of product testing in 1997. It was given its current name when the product was formally introduced in September 1997, but maintained the more conventional double cheeseburger format.

The product was renamed '''King Supreme''' in 2001 when it was slightly reformulated as part of a menu restructuring during a period of corporate decline. A later restructuring eliminated the King Supreme in favor of its new '''BK Stacker''' line of sandwiches. When the Stacker line was discontinued in the United States shortly after, the Big King returned in November 2013 as a permanent product.

Despite being off the menu in the United States for several years, the product was still sold in several other countries under several names during the interim of its unavailability in the United States. One such example sold by BK's European arm of the company is a larger version of the sandwich called the '''Big King XXL''', based on the company's [[Whopper]] sandwich. The Big King XXL is part of a line of larger double cheeseburgers known as the BK XXL line; the XXL line was the center of controversy over product health standards and advertising in Spain when first introduced.

There was a chicken variant of the sandwich in the United States and Canada. To promote continuing interest in the product, Burger King occasionally releases limited-time variants on the Big King.

The burger was introduced by Australian Burger King franchise [[Hungry Jack's]] in 2020 under the name '''Big Jack''', with a slightly altered recipe and a controversial marketing campaign that highlighted its similarity to the Big Mac, leading to a trademark infringement lawsuit being filed by McDonalds.<ref name=super2020>{{Cite web|last=Whitbourn|first=Michaela|date=2020-10-02|title=McDonald's moves to supersize lawsuit against Hungry Jack's|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/mcdonald-s-moves-to-supersize-lawsuit-against-hungry-jack-s-20201002-p561bx.html|access-date=2020-10-25|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026163413/https://www.smh.com.au/national/mcdonald-s-moves-to-supersize-lawsuit-against-hungry-jack-s-20201002-p561bx.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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== History ==

=== Initial product run ===
[[File:Big Mac hamburger.jpg|left|thumb|175px|McDonald's Big Mac sandwich, the inspiration for the Big King]]
The sandwich that would eventually become the '''Big King''' was preceded by a similar sandwich called the '''Double Supreme''' cheeseburger.<ref name="AA-McDowell">{{cite news |last1=McDowell |first1=Bill |title=Burger King Ads Take Slap at MCD: it's Double Supreme vs. Big Mac while Price Positioning Continues |url=http://adage.com/article/news/burger-king-ads-slap-mcd-double-supreme-big-mac-price-positioning-continues/69261/ |work=Advertising Age |date=10 February 1997 |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010557/http://adage.com/article/news/burger-king-ads-slap-mcd-double-supreme-big-mac-price-positioning-continues/69261/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Burger King]]'s take on rival [[McDonald's]] well-known [[Big Mac]] sandwich was released as a test product in January 1996 when McDonald's was having difficulties within the American market.<ref name="AA-McDowell"/><ref name="SR-KR">{{cite news |title=Burger King Plans Its Version Of Big Mac New Burger Is Designed To Steal Market Share From Mcdonald's |url=http://m.spokesman.com/stories/1997/aug/03/burger-king-plans-its-version-of-big-mac-new/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150224093053/http://m.spokesman.com/stories/1997/aug/03/burger-king-plans-its-version-of-big-mac-new/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |work=Spokesman-Review |agency=Knight-Ridder |access-date=17 September 2015 |date=3 August 1997 }}</ref> Hoping to build on improving sales of Burger King and take advantage of perceived market weakness of McDonald's, the chain introduced the Double Supreme as part of an advertising blitz against its competitor. Originally, the burger had a look and composition that resembled the Big Mac: it had two beef patties, "King" sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a three-part [[sesame seed]] [[bun]]. Because its patties are flame-broiled and larger than McDonald's [[frying|grill fried]] and seasoned patties, and the formulation of the "King Sauce" was different from McDonald's "Special sauce", the sandwich had a similar, but not exact, taste and different [[food energy|caloric content]]. The sandwich was reformulated after the initial test run, removing the center roll.<ref name="nrn-changes">{{cite web |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/5746643/listen-up-mac-bk-aims-reign-supreme-orders-menu-changes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123220134/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/5746643/listen-up-mac-bk-aims-reign-supreme-orders-menu-changes |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2015 |title=Listen up, Mac: BK aims to reign supreme, orders menu changes |first=Amy |last=Zuber |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=17 December 2001 |access-date=4 December 2007}}</ref> The Double Supreme was advertised with a direct attack on the Big Mac, using the claims that it had 75% more beef and less bread than the McDonald's sandwich. A review of the Burger King sandwich by the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' verified these claims and also stated that the ingredients of the newer sandwich were of better quality than those of the McDonald's product.<ref name=CT-Review>{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Devin |title=Move Your Buns, Big Mac! You're Losing Out |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/02/06/move-your-buns-big-mac-youre-losing-out/ |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=6 February 1996 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053338/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-02-06/features/9602060237_1_sesame-seed-bun-burger-king-beef-patties |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the initial testing period, the sandwich was renamed the Big King and added to the national menu at the end of the summer of 1997{{em-dash}}the first major product introduction since the company added its [[Burger King grilled chicken sandwiches#BK Broiler|BK Broiler]] chicken sandwich in 1990.<ref name="nyt-steal">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/19/magazine/steal-this-burger.html?pagewanted=print |title=Steal This Burger |first=Arthur |last=Lubow |work=The New York Times |date=19 April 1998 |access-date=4 December 2007 |archive-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716223902/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/19/magazine/steal-this-burger.html?pagewanted=print |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BCT-AP DS">{{cite news |last1=Wollenberg |first1=Skip |title=Burger King Plans To Put Bigger Burger On Menu |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19970828&id=piNWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2648,6995153&hl=en |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=Beaver County Times |agency=Associated Press |date=28 August 1997 |archive-date=2 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002060942/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19970828&id=piNWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2648,6995153&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the Double Supreme, the new Big King lacked the interior bread piece the Big Mac had, and the advertising used to promote the Big King continued to utilize the 75% more beef claim. However, the new sandwich was introduced while the company was dealing with a highly publicized beef recall from one of its key suppliers, Hudson Foods, and had to deal with accusations that the introduction was designed to distract the public and media from the recall.<ref name="SS-BK intro">{{cite news |last1=Stieghorst |first1=Tom |title=Big King, Big Mac, Big Battle |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-08-29/business/9708280458_1_big-king-burger-king-big-mac |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=29 August 1997 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929034243/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1997-08-29/business/9708280458_1_big-king-burger-king-big-mac |url-status=dead }}</ref> The sandwich was initially introduced in the United States at a 99¢ ([[USD]]) price point, which helped propel sales to nearly twice the estimated volume and causing many locations to sell out of the burger patties used to produce the sandwich.<ref name="TC-BK 97">{{cite news |last1=Higuera |first1=Jonathan J. |title=Burger King's latest Big Mac attack a success here |url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue2/1997/09/10/41833-burger-king-s-latest-big-mac-attack-a-success-here/ |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=Tucson Citizen |date=10 September 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051249/http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue2/1997/09/10/41833-burger-king-s-latest-big-mac-attack-a-success-here/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

McDonald's initially downplayed the new sandwich, with a spokesman stating that there was only one place to get the real Big Mac.<ref name="WP-BK v BM">{{cite news |title=Burger King courts Big Mac fans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/08/29/burger-king-courts-big-mac-fans/b92571ed-81e0-4aa6-a788-acef8f356ad9/ |access-date=17 September 2015 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=21 August 1997 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313235444/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/08/29/burger-king-courts-big-mac-fans/b92571ed-81e0-4aa6-a788-acef8f356ad9/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite McDonald's claims that the sandwich was not a major issue for the company, its highly promoted [[Arch Deluxe]] sandwich was not a success and its "Campaign 55" promotion, which reduced the price of certain sandwiches to 55¢ ([[USD]]), was eliminated after franchisees complained that it had failed to boost sales. Against McDonald's struggles, Burger King's successful introduction of the Big King was later paired with a newly introduced, improved type of french fry in November of the same year. Along with these two product introductions, the company began a massive financial investment in product development across all parts of its menu which, in total, provided a boost in the chain's market performance.<ref name=CCB-BK>{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Louise |title=Burger King turns up flame on new products |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19971122/ISSUE01/10003914/burger-king-turns-up-flame-on-new-products |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=Crain's Chicago Business |date=22 November 1997 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113120/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/19971122/ISSUE01/10003914/burger-king-turns-up-flame-on-new-products |url-status=live }}</ref> The mirrored failure and success for the two companies showed itself in the market share of the United States fast-food market: Burger King's share rose a percentage point, to 19.2%, while McDonald's share slipped 0.4 points, to 41.9% by the end of 1997.<ref name="SS-BK intro"/><ref name="NYT-BK & Fries">{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Constance |title=Burger King Campaign Is Promoting New Fries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/11/business/burger-king-campaign-is-promoting-new-fries.html |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=New York Times |date=11 December 1997 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929125010/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/11/business/burger-king-campaign-is-promoting-new-fries.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The McDonald's drop capped a three-year decline in the larger chain's market share in the United States, which stood at 42.3% at the start of 1995.<ref name=CCB-BK/>

By 2001, Burger King's chain-wide sales were lagging.  Corporate indifference from parent [[Diageo]] coupled with lagging sales at larger franchises caused by declining consumer demand for its products led the company to initiate a menu redesign to try to lure customers back into stores. The company decided to introduce a series of new product launches in a planned menu revamp.<ref name=QSRM-KS>{{cite news |title=Segment Leaders |url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rms/qsrm-theqsr502002/index.php?startid=18 |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=QSR Magazine |issue=August 2002 |page=59 |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001082824/http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rms/qsrm-theqsr502002/index.php?startid=18 |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with a new [[Whopper]]-based burger designed to compete with McDonald's [[Quarter Pounder]], a new breakfast sandwich designed to compete with the [[McMuffin]] sandwich, and other new products, Burger King introduced a reformulated Big King replacement called the '''King Supreme'''.<ref name="nrn-changes"/> The new sandwich's ingredients were basically the same as the Big King, but the King Sauce used in the sandwich was reformulated to, according to company claims, enhance the [[Umami|savory nature]] of the grilled burger patties Burger King uses in its sandwiches.<ref name="OS-KS intro">{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Dina |title=Burger King Sees How New Menu Stacks Up |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/12/08/burger-king-sees-how-new-menu-stacks-up/ |work=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=17 September 2015 |date=8 December 2001 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044147/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-12-08/news/0112080153_1_burger-king-miami-based-burger-burger-joint |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=CT-Menu>{{cite news |last1=Kirk |first1=Jim |title=Burger King fans the flames in menu war |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/12/07/burger-king-fans-the-flames-in-menu-war/ |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=18 September 2015 |date=7 December 2001 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929091604/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-12-07/business/0112070432_1_burger-king-new-tastes-menu-quarter-pounder |url-status=live }}</ref> This knock-off driven menu reorganization was designed to better compete with a similar menu expansion at McDonald's, called the New Tastes Menu, introduced earlier the same year.<ref name="nrn-changes"/><ref name=CT-Menu/>

=== BK Stackers ===
{{main|BK Stacker}}
[[File:BK Stacker.JPG|thumb|The BK Double Stacker sandwich]]
Burger King changed ownership in 2002 when Diageo sold its interest in the company to a group of investment firms led by [[TPG Capital]]. After assuming ownership, TPG's newly appointed management team began focusing menu development and advertising on a very narrow demographic group, young men aged 20–34 who routinely ate at fast food restaurants several times per month which the chain identified as the "super fan".<ref name="NYT-Stackers Warner">{{cite news |first1=Melanie |last1=Warner |title=U.S. Restaurant Chains Find There Is No Too Much. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/business/media/28adco.html |work=New York Times |date=28 July 2006 |access-date=3 December 2007 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110134031/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/business/media/28adco.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYT-Stackers Martin">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Martin |title=Will Diners Still Swallow This? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/business/yourmoney/25bite.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all |work=New York Times |date=25 March 2007 |access-date=3 December 2007 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110171446/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/business/yourmoney/25bite.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYT-McD's Martin"/> Amid this new super-fan focused menu expansion the chain introduced its new '''BK Stacker''' sandwich in late 2006, a family of sandwiches featuring the same set of toppings served as a single, double, triple or quadruple hamburger. The Stacker line was part of a series of larger, more calorie-laden products introduced by the company to entice the super-fan into the chain's restaurants. These new additions helped propel same store profits for more than sixteen quarters.<ref name=NYT-Gulp!>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Andrew |title=Gulp! Burger King Is on the Rebound |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/business/media/10feed.html |work=New York Times |access-date=28 September 2015 |date=10 February 2008 |archive-date=7 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707063132/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/business/media/10feed.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Stacker consisted of anywhere from one to four {{convert|1.7|oz|g|abbr=on}} [[beef]] patties, American cheese, bacon and a Thousand-Island dressing variant called Stacker sauce served on a sesame seed bun.<ref name="NYT-Stackers Warner"/><ref name="NYT-Stackers Martin"/><ref name="NYT-McD's Martin">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Martin |title=Did McDonald's Give In to Temptation? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/business/yourmoney/22feed.html |work=New York Times |date=22 July 2007 |access-date=3 December 2007 |archive-date=13 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813080055/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/business/yourmoney/22feed.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TIB-Stacker review">{{cite web |author1=Marvo |title=Review: Burger King Quad Stacker |url=http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2006/07/11/burger-king-quad-stacker/ |work=The Impulsive Buy |access-date=28 September 2015 |date=11 July 2006 |archive-date=17 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717033431/http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2006/07/11/burger-king-quad-stacker/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The new sandwiches had a muted reaction in several reviews—Chowhound.com readers rated the Quad Stacker as one of the most over-the-top gluttonous burgers in a poll,<ref name=CH-Gluttony>{{cite web|title=Your vote for the most over-the-top gluttonous burger? |url=http://www.chowhound.com/post/vote-top-gluttonous-burger-328863?page=4 |website=Chowhound.com |access-date=28 September 2015 |date=25 September 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002170617/http://www.chowhound.com/post/vote-top-gluttonous-burger-328863?page=4 |archive-date=October 2, 2015 }}</ref> while the Impulsive Buy stated that the sandwich was much like any other bacon cheeseburger but meatier.<ref name="TIB-Stacker review"/> Despite its lukewarm reception, an internet meme relating to the sandwich developed rather quickly. Customers would create an "Octo-Stacker" sandwich by purchasing two quad Stackers and mashing the two together sandwiches to create a sandwich with eight patties, eight slices of cheese and sixteen half pieces of bacon. They would then film themselves trying to eat the {{convert|1|lbs|kg|abbr=on}} sandwich in under five minutes.<ref name="TDM-Octo Stacker">{{cite web |last1=Lynch |first1=Kevin |title=Meat feast: Burger King's Quad Stacker and the top 10 gut-busting beef burgers |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meat-feast-burger-kings-quad-433587 |work=The Daily Mirror |access-date=28 September 2015 |date=26 November 2009 |archive-date=30 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930093311/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/meat-feast-burger-kings-quad-433587 |url-status=live }}</ref>

With the onset of the [[Great Recession]] in 2008–2009, this narrowly-defined demographic-based sales plan faltered and sales and profits for the chain declined; Burger King's same-store comparable sales in the United States and Canada declined 4.6% in the three months ended September 30, while McDonald's posted same-store comparable sales growth of 2.5% within the United States.<ref name=WSJ-Decline>{{cite news |last1=Jargon |first1=Julie |title=As Sales Drop, Burger King Draws Critics for Courting 'Super Fans' |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pf_article_108728.html |work=Yahoo Business |access-date=28 September 2015 |date=1 February 2010 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016223350/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pf_article_108728.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Stacker line underwent a minor reformulation in 2011 that involved deleting the top layer of cheese and changing the amount of bacon in the sandwiches, and moving the sandwiches from the core section of its menu to the company's value menu.<ref name="QSR-Stackers">{{cite web |last=Kelso |first=Alicia |title=Burger King Stackers added to Value Menu |url=http://www.qsrweb.com/article/179824/Burger-King-Stackers-added-to-Value-Menu |work=QSR Web |access-date=11 March 2011 |date=8 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314152451/http://www.qsrweb.com/article/179824/Burger-King-Stackers-added-to-Value-Menu |archive-date=14 March 2011 }}</ref> The changed ingredient list and pricing structure created a situation such that the distribution of ingredients did not scale at the same rate as increasing numbers of burger patties. [[Consumer Reports]]' blog [[The Consumerist]] noted that two single Stackers at [[USD|$]]1.00 included more cheese and more bacon than one double Stacker for $2.00. Three single Stackers had 50% more cheese and double the bacon of one triple Stacker.<ref name="CR-Stackers">{{cite news |first=Laura |last=Northrup |title=Burger King's Stacker Deal Uses Questionable Math, Robs Customers Of Bacon |url=http://consumerist.com/2011/03/burger-kings-stacker-deal-uses-questionable-math-robs-customers-of-bacon.html |work=The Consumerist |date=11 March 2011 |access-date=8 October 2011 |archive-date=3 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903033948/http://consumerist.com/2011/03/burger-kings-stacker-deal-uses-questionable-math-robs-customers-of-bacon.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Stacker line and other related calorie-heavy menu items were dropped in 2012 when [[3G Capital]] of Brazil bought the company and initiated a menu restructuring focusing on a broader demographic base.<ref name="AP-Stacker gone">{{cite news |last1=Choi |first1=Candace |title=Burger King to list shares on NYSE |url=https://news.yahoo.com/burger-king-list-shares-nyse-232305654.html |agency=Associated Press |work=Yahoo Business |date=3 April 2012 |access-date=28 September 2015 |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001062235/http://news.yahoo.com/burger-king-list-shares-nyse-232305654.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== BK Toppers ===

The '''BK Toppers''' line was a line of cheeseburgers introduced by Burger King in October 2011 as a limited time offer in North America. The sandwiches featured a new {{Convert|3.2|oz|g|abbr=on}} chopped beef patty made with a coarser grind than the company's {{Convert|2|oz|g|abbr=on}} hamburger patty. The three sandwiches included a larger version of Burger King's [[List of Burger King products#Rodeo sandwiches|Rodeo Cheeseburger]], one made with [[sautéing|sautéed]] mushrooms and [[processed cheese|processed]] [[Swiss cheese (North America)|Swiss cheese]] and the  '''Cheeseburger Deluxe'''. The cheeseburger deluxe consisted of lettuce, pickles, onions, American cheese and Stacker sauce in a combinations similar to the King Supreme.<ref name="NRN-Toppers">{{cite web |last=Snel |first=Alan |title=Burger King debuts new cheeseburger line |url=http://www.nrn.com/article/burger-king-debuts-new-cheeseburger-line |access-date=16 October 2011 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=7 October 2011 |archive-date=16 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016022734/http://nrn.com/article/burger-king-debuts-new-cheeseburger-line |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The sandwiches were a part of the new ownership's plans to expand its customer base beyond the 18- to 34-year-old demographic which it had been targeting over the previous several years.<ref name="NRN-Toppers"/> The product resurrected a previous name from the BK Hot Toppers line of sandwiches from the 1980s.<ref name=BB-Toppers>{{cite web |title="Back by Popular Demand" Guides Burger Marketing |url=http://www.burgerbusiness.com/?p=8235 |work=Burger Business |access-date=16 October 2011 |date=10 October 2011 |archive-date=12 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012210354/http://www.burgerbusiness.com/?p=8235 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Reintroduction ===
[[File:Chicken BK Big King.jpg|thumb|The chicken Big King sandwich]]
The TPG-led group of owners divested itself of Burger King in 2012 when the chain was sold to 3G Capital of Brazil. After 3G purchased Burger King, its new management team refocused on a broader menu strategy to lure a more diverse customer base. The first major change to the product base was a reformulation and name change of the company's [[Burger King chicken nuggets|chicken nuggets]] in January 2013. Along with other new products such as smoothies, wraps and [[chicken fingers|chicken strips]] that broadly copied McDonald's menu once again, the chain reintroduced the Big King as a permanent menu item in November of the same year.<ref name="USAT- Big King">{{cite web |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=Burger King re-rolls out Big Mac-buster Big King |work=USAToday |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/05/burger-king-big-mac-big-king/3442637/ |access-date=5 November 2013 |date=5 November 2013 |archive-date=6 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106050409/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/05/burger-king-big-mac-big-king/3442637/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Bloomberg-Wong>{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Vanessa |title=Burger King's Big Mac Clone Becomes Even More of a Knockoff |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-07/burger-king-s-big-mac-clone-becomes-even-more-of-a-knockoff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108025902/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-07/burger-king-s-big-mac-clone-becomes-even-more-of-a-knockoff |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2013 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=25 May 2014 |date=7 November 2013}}</ref>

The new version of the sandwich was originally made with two of the chain's {{convert|1.7|oz|g|abbr=on}} hamburger patties, but after negative consumer response regarding the size of the patties the sandwich was reformulated to use two {{convert|2|oz|g|abbr=on}} Whopper Jr. patties instead.<ref name="QSRW-BK size">{{cite web |title=Burger King beefs up its Big King sandwich |url=http://www.qsrweb.com/news/burger-king-beefs-up-its-big-king-sandwich/ |work=QSR Web |access-date=11 January 2016 |date=11 February 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085250/http://www.qsrweb.com/news/burger-king-beefs-up-its-big-king-sandwich/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A chicken variant was introduced in May 2014.<ref name=Bloomberg-Patton>{{cite web |last=Patton |first=Leslie |title=Burger King's Big King Hamburger Gets a Chicken Makeover |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-17/burger-king-s-big-king-hamburger-gets-a-chicken-makeover.html |work=Bloomberg |access-date=25 May 2014 |date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=25 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232256/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-17/burger-king-s-big-king-hamburger-gets-a-chicken-makeover.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The new chicken variant swapped out the burger patties with two chicken patties used for the chain's value menu chicken sandwiches and added a third layer of sauce to increase the moisture content of the sandwich. The sandwich was introduced nationwide in the U.S. after a period of testing in [[Indiana]]. While the chicken version of the sandwich was new to Burger King, it again copied a product from McDonald's—in the [[Middle East]] the competing chain offers a Chicken Big Mac sandwich.<ref name="HP-Chix Big King">{{cite web |title=Burger King Hatches Chicken Big King |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/burgerbusiness/burger-king-hatches-chick_b_5161924.html |website=Huffington Post |access-date=11 January 2016 |date=16 April 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072713/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/burgerbusiness/burger-king-hatches-chick_b_5161924.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

A primary reason the product was brought back was because of a new approach the company was taking regarding new and limited-time offering (LTO) products.  Instead of putting out large numbers of products that may only appeal to a small audience, it would only add a smaller amount of products that have broader market appeal.<ref name="HP-Chix Big King"/><ref name="BB-Schwartz hired">{{cite news |last1=Leonard |first1=Devin |title=Burger King Is Run by Children |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-24/burger-kings-ceo-daniel-schwartz-is-33-years-old |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725023312/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-24/burger-kings-ceo-daniel-schwartz-is-33-years-old |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014 |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |date=24 July 2014}}</ref> Along with its [[BK Chicken Fries]] product, the Big King was part of that goal, with the reintroduction utilizing a three-prong approach: its stated intention to introduce products to those that will have most impact, a bid to appeal to [[Millennials]] utilizing social media focused campaigns, and to utilize a former product from its portfolio that the company probably should have thought about before discontinuing.<ref name="USAT_Horivitz Return">{{cite news |last1=Horovitz |first1=Bruce |title=BK brings back Chicken Fries |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/08/11/burger-king-chicken-fries-fast-food-restaurants-social-media/13893973/ |access-date=5 December 2014 |work=USA Today |date=11 August 2014 |archive-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007092455/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/08/11/burger-king-chicken-fries-fast-food-restaurants-social-media/13893973/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The idea of reintroducing older, possibly discontinued products is appealing to companies such as Burger King and McDonald's because it is operationally easier than launching a completely new product. In many cases the reintroduction allows these companies to utilize older advertising along with its existing supply chain which is already established to deliver the product ingredients while catering to the public's feelings of nostalgia for these products. The limited-time offers allow chains to bring "new" products to the menu without adding permanent complexity to their kitchen operations.<ref name=CNBC-Little>{{cite web |last1=Little |first1=Katie |title=Fast food's new mantra: What's old is new |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/08/fast-foods-new-mantra-whats-old-is-new.html |work=CNBC |access-date=24 August 2015 |date=8 March 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824203146/http://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/08/fast-foods-new-mantra-whats-old-is-new.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Chicken Big King was introduced because of an increased spike in demand for chicken-based products, coupled with the success of the Big King's reintroduction.<ref name="HP-Chix Big King"/>

Burger King partially credited reintroduction of the Big King with a limited regain of domestic same-store comparable sales of 0.1% in 2014 over a 0.9% loss the previous fiscal year.<ref name="BB-Wong profits">{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Vanessa |title=Is Burger King's Big Mac Clone Stealing McDonald's Lunch Money? |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-04-29/is-burger-kings-big-mac-clone-stealing-mcdonalds-lunch-money |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |access-date=24 August 2015 |date=29 April 2014 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924193857/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-04-29/is-burger-kings-big-mac-clone-stealing-mcdonalds-lunch-money |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time the company's total sales were up 2%, with adjusted earnings per share increasing 19.7% to $0.20 per share. This contrasted with main competitor McDonald's only reporting a 3% increase in global system-wide sales, a 0.5% rise in same-store sales, and a 1.7% decrease in same-store sales in the U.S. and Canada which the competitor attributed to "challenging industry dynamics and severe winter weather."<ref name="MF-BK profits">{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Nickey |title=Whoa! Did the Big King Save Burger King…Big Time? |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/05/16/whoa-did-the-big-king-save-burger-king-big-time.aspx |work=The Motley Fool |access-date=24 August 2015 |date=16 May 2014 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035356/http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/05/16/whoa-did-the-big-king-save-burger-king-big-time.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Competitive products ===
[[File:Big N Tasty burger.jpg|thumb|175px|right|A Big N' Tasty sandwich]]
As noted, the Big King sandwich was introduced to compete directly with the McDonald's Big Mac sandwich. It joins a group of sandwiches from other vendors that are designed as counters to the more well-known McDonald's sandwich. This includes the Big Shef sandwich originally from now-defunct chain [[Burger Chef]] and occasionally produced as a LTO from current trademark owner [[Hardee's]].<ref name="NRN-Big Shef">{{cite web |title=Hardee's features another chain's signature burger |url=http://nrn.com/archive/hardees-features-another-chains-signature-burger |work=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=6 March 2016 |date=24 April 2007 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307045450/http://nrn.com/archive/hardees-features-another-chains-signature-burger |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Big Shef">{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hardeesr-brings-back-burger-chefr-big-sheftm-hamburger-for-a-limited-time-in-select-markets-58710217.html |title=Hardee's Brings Back Burger Chef Big Shef Hamburger for a Limited Time in Select Markets |author=CKE Restaurants |date=23 April 2007 |access-date=21 February 2015}}</ref>

The Big King was introduced at a time when McDonald's was planning a similar move with a direct competitor to Burger King's signature Whopper sandwich.<ref name="SR-KR"/> The [[Big N' Tasty]] was introduced in [[California]] at approximately the same time Big King was being nationally introduced in 1997.<ref name="SS-BK intro"/> Other similar products from McDonald's were also undergoing testing at the same time; either called the Big Xtra or the MBX, these other two sandwiches were being test marketed in the [[Northeastern United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spcnetwork.com/mii/1997/970871.HTM |title=Burger King Taking on Big Mac |work=Meat Industry News Service |date=28 August 1997 |access-date=17 September 2015 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220657/http://www.spcnetwork.com/mii/1997/970871.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=nyt-xtra1>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/29/business/mcdonald-s-is-testing-another-big-burger.html |title=McDonald's Is Testing Another Big Burger |work=New York Times |date=29 December 1997 |access-date=17 September 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923190254/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/29/business/mcdonald-s-is-testing-another-big-burger.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1D9113DF93AA25757C0A96E958260&scp=2&sq=McDonald%27s+Big+Xtra&st=nyt |title=Steal This Burger |author=Arthur Lubow |work=New York Times |date=19 April 1998 |access-date=17 September 2015 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703230054/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/19/magazine/steal-this-burger.html?scp=2&sq=McDonald%27s+Big+Xtra&st=nyt |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=xtra>{{cite web |title=McD's to test 'Diner,' kiosk; Big Xtra being axed |author=Gale Group |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=23 October 2000 |author-link=Gale Group }}</ref> The Big N' Tasty eventually won out in testing, however its national roll-out was delayed due to a corporate reorganization at McDonald's.<ref name="SS-BK intro"/>
{{clear right}}

== Product description ==
[[File:Mushroom-Swiss BK Big King.jpg|right|thumb|175px|The Mushroom & Swiss Big King, a limited time offering variant offered in 2014<ref name="ib-shroom King">{{cite web |author1=Marvo |title=REVIEW: Burger King Mushroom & Swiss Big King |url=http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2014/07/29/review-burger-king-mushroom-swiss-big-king/ |website=The Impulsive Buy |access-date=8 March 2016 |date=29 July 2014 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308184042/http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2014/07/29/review-burger-king-mushroom-swiss-big-king/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
The Big King is a [[hamburger]], consisting of two {{convert|2|oz|g|abbr=on}} [[Grilling|grilled]] beef patties, sesame seed bun, King Sauce (a [[Thousand Island dressing]] variant), [[iceberg lettuce]], [[onions]], [[pickled cucumber|pickles]] and [[American cheese]].<ref name="Big King, BK US">{{citation |title=Burger King menu, United States – Big King |url=http://www.bk.com/menu-item/big-king |publisher=Burger King Brands |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-date=26 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226083601/http://www.bk.com/menu-item/big-king |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Big King, BK Canada">{{Citation |title=Burger King menu, Canada – Big King |url=http://burgerking.ca/menu-item/big-king |publisher=Burger King Brands |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307173151/http://burgerking.ca/menu-item/big-king |archive-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When first reintroduced in 2013, the sandwich was made with two of the company's {{convert|1.7|oz|g|abbr=on}} hamburger patties, but was modified in February 2014 to use two of the larger {{convert|2.0|oz|g|abbr=on}} Whopper Jr. patties.<ref name=USAT-Upgrade>{{cite web |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=Burger King beefs up Big King, tops Big Mac |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/02/10/burger-king-mcdonalds-fast-food-big-mac-big-king/5366137/ |work=USA Today |access-date=25 May 2014 |date=11 February 2014 |archive-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603211801/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/02/10/burger-king-mcdonalds-fast-food-big-mac-big-king/5366137/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Notable variants ===

The '''Chicken Big King''' was added April 2014. This new variation on the original Big King sandwich was part of a corporate menu restructuring that began the previous year. This was part of Burger King CEO Alex Macedo's plan to introduce simpler products that require few or no new ingredients in order to simplify operations. This new sandwich uses the company's existing Crispy Chicken Jr patty in place of the beef and adds an extra layer of King sauce to ensure that the product stays moist.<ref name="HP-Chix Big King"/>

The '''Big King XXL''' is part of a line of sandwiches consisting of larger, {{convert|8|oz|g|abbr=on}} double cheeseburgers sold by Burger King in the [[Europe]]an and Middle Eastern markets. It is one of their late-teen to young-adult male-oriented products. Besides the Big King XXL, there are double cheeseburger and bacon double cheeseburger variants.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.burgerking.it/download/infonutrizionali.pdf |title=Burger King menu, Italy – Big King XXL |publisher=Burger King Brands |access-date=9 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029060821/http://www.burgerking.it/download/infonutrizionali.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.burgerking.es/#productos/menus/menubigkingxxl |title=Burger King menu, Spain – Big King XXL |publisher=Burger King Brands |access-date=9 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928215652/http://www.burgerking.es/ |archive-date=28 September 2007  |url-status= live}}</ref>

The '''Big Jack''' is the version of the burger introduced in Australia by Hungry Jack's in 2020.  It debuted with a slightly altered recipe that included an extra layer of lettuce and shifted the pickles to the bottom half of the burger. It came in a standard size and the bigger "Mega Jack" size, and was later joined by the "Chicken Big Jack" (based on the Chicken Big King), and the "Outlaw Big Jack" variant which added two slices of bacon, barbeque sauce and replaced the special sauce of the standard version with peppercorn sauce. The close similarities in the name, appearance and the marketing of the burger led to McDonald's suing Hungry Jack's in the [[Federal Court of Australia]] in August 2020 over trademark infringement. Hungry Jack's proceeded to run an advertising campaign making light of the lawsuit and defended their product in court, claiming that the burger's name was a play on the company's name and that of its founder [[Jack Cowin]], and noting that the composition of a burger cannot be trademarked.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Whitbourn|first=Michaela|date=2020-09-25|title=Hungry Jack's returns serve in bun fight with McDonald's|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/hungry-jack-s-returns-serve-in-bun-fight-with-mcdonald-s-20200925-p55zaf.html|access-date=2020-10-25|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=2020-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022091519/https://www.smh.com.au/national/hungry-jack-s-returns-serve-in-bun-fight-with-mcdonald-s-20200925-p55zaf.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=super2020/> However the company also admitted there was an “element of cheekiness” in the name, and that it was positioned as a direct competitor to the Big Mac.<ref name=bjreturn/> In November 2023, the Federal Court ruled against McDonald's, finding that "Big Jack is not deceptively similar to Big Mac", and that McDonald's had not established that its existing trademarks had been infringed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-16/nsw-mcdonalds-hungry-jacks-burger-dispute/103113274| title=Hungry Jack's Big Jack 'not deceptively similar' to McDonald's Big Mac in burger case, court finds|access-date=2023-11-16|language=en}}</ref> The Big Jack and all its variants had been previously removed from the menu in late 2021, though it later returned as a limited time item after the suit was resolved.<ref name=bjreturn>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/big-jack-mega-jack-burgers-back-at-hungry-jacks-stores-after-maccas-sues-over-trademark-infringement/news-story/68521fef8d03dc3b4adbcd3be0297cc5| title=Big Jack, Mega Jack burgers back at Hungry Jacks stores after Maccas sues over trademark infringement|access-date=7 May 2024|language=en}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

== Advertising ==
{{see also|Burger King advertising|List of Burger King ad programs}}

=== Double Supreme ===
The Double Supreme was promoted in a series of advertisements created by the New York firm of [[Interpublic Group|Ammirati Puris Lintas (APL)]]. The first ad compared the Double Supreme cheeseburger to the Big Mac, with one 30-second television spot touting the Burger King product contained 75% more beef than the McDonald's one and asked the viewer if Big Mac lovers were "ready for a new relationship?" A second advertisement featured actors playing McDonald's employees going to Burger King to get the new sandwich because they had realized that they preferred the Burger King product over the sandwich they normally sold. The attack ads were the result of the comparatively strong sales year for Burger King in 1996 coupled with domestic sales problems for McDonald's, leaving BK acting in a "cocky" manner towards its main rival.<ref name="AA-DS ads">{{cite web |last1=McDowell |first1=Bill |title=Burger King ads slap McD: Its Double Supreme vs. Big Mac, while price positioning continues |url=http://adage.com/article/news/burger-king-ads-slap-mcd-double-supreme-big-mac-price-positioning-continues/69261/ |publisher=Advertising Age |access-date=17 September 2015 |date=10 February 1997 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203010557/http://adage.com/article/news/burger-king-ads-slap-mcd-double-supreme-big-mac-price-positioning-continues/69261/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYT-DS adverts">{{cite news |last1=Elliot |first1=Stuart |title=Where are the merchandising tie-ins for 'Babe'? And when did 'golden retriever' become a color? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/20/business/media-business-advertising-where-are-merchandising-tie-ins-for-babe-when-did.html |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=New York Times |date=20 February 1996 |archive-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526165749/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/20/business/media-business-advertising-where-are-merchandising-tie-ins-for-babe-when-did.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

While Burger King's advertising programs were highly focused on its new product, most of the company's sales gains were the result of aggressive price cutting by Burger King, specifically pricing its signature Whopper sandwich at 99¢, according to analysts at [[Salomon Brothers]]. The price-cutting promotions by Burger King, and number-three chain [[Wendy's]], forced McDonald's into its own price-cutting program. According to Salomon, the burger segment's price wars would have a detrimental effect on the profits of segment leaders, allowing other smaller chains such as [[Sonic Drive-In]], [[Jack in the Box]] and [[Carl's Jr]] to position themselves as attractive alternatives to the big three chains.<ref name="AA-DS ads"/>

=== 1997 Big King ===
Advertising for the Big King was spearheaded by a national television program from APL that debuted on September 1, 1997.<ref name="AA-BK 97">{{cite web |title=BK to launch 'Big King' burger |url=http://adage.com/article/news/bk-launch-big-king-burger/21444/ |work=Advertising Age |access-date=16 January 2016 |date=27 August 1997 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191156/http://adage.com/article/news/bk-launch-big-king-burger/21444/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The television ads were part of a US$30 million program to promote the sandwich. It was introduced with a promotional price of 99¢ for the first two weeks of sales, which helped drive sales for the product.<ref name="TC-BK 97"/><ref name="WP-BK 97">{{cite news |title=Burger King courts Big Mac fans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/08/29/burger-king-courts-big-mac-fans/b92571ed-81e0-4aa6-a788-acef8f356ad9/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=16 January 2016 |date=29 August 1997 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313235444/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/08/29/burger-king-courts-big-mac-fans/b92571ed-81e0-4aa6-a788-acef8f356ad9/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The advertisements featured the company's new "Get Your Burger's Worth" tagline and they attacked the Big Mac with the claim "Get ready for a new taste that beats the Big Mac." Additional ads continued the attacks, stating "just like a Big Mac, except it's got 75% more beef. And it's flame-broiled."<ref name="NYT-BK 97">{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Glenn |title=As Business Gets Lean, a Big King Dares Big M ac |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/28/business/as-business-gets-lean-a-big-king-dares-big-mac.html |work=New York Times |access-date=16 January 2016 |date=28 August 1998 |archive-date=20 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120075728/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/28/business/as-business-gets-lean-a-big-king-dares-big-mac.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== King Supreme ===
The King Supreme debuted with an advertising campaign created by the McCaffery Ratner Gottlieb & Lane agency and commercials produced by Aspect Ratio which featured blues legend [[B.B. King]]. The ads pushed the company's lunch and dinner periods as the best time to have the sandwich and had King doing a voice over in which he alternately talked or sang about the sandwiches.<ref name="WSJ-BB & BK">{{cite web |last1=Suzanne |first1=Vranica |title=Texas Pacific Group Prepares Revival Plan for Burger King |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1029353974890135075 |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=16 January 2016 |date=15 August 2002 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074811/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1029353974890135075 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="QSR-BB& BK">{{cite web |url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/burger-king-launches-new-ads-featuring-bb-king |title=Burger King Launches BB King Ad Campaign |work=QSR Magazine |date=14 January 2002 |access-date=4 December 2007 |archive-date=23 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223112354/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/burger-king-launches-new-ads-featuring-bb-king |url-status=live }}</ref> The advertisements featured 15- and 30-second television spots in which King is shown sitting on a crescent moon, playing his guitar Lucille while speaking about the products and singing the company's slogan. The 30-second ads were for both the King Supreme and the company's other copycat product, the [[Egg McMuffin]] clone called the Egg'Wich Muffin sandwich, while the 15-second ads were for each product individually. On the radio side, 30- and 60-second spots had King discussing the new sandwiches and singing their praise. The tag line for the ads was "BK and BB let you have it your way," a variation on the company's motto "Have it your way."<ref name="MBJ-BB & BK">{{cite web |title=B.B. King featured in new Burger King ads |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2002/01/07/daily42.html?page=all |work=Memphis Business Journal |access-date=16 January 2016 |date=11 January 2002 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703230046/https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2002/01/07/daily42.html?page=all |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shortly after their debut, the ads came under fire from several fronts. Fans complained that the legendary musician was debasing himself by doing the commercials, that he was selling out by allowing his image to be used to peddle fast food. Other groups such as the [[American Diabetes Association]] pointed out that King, known for having weight issues and poorly controlled [[diabetes]], was a questionable spokesperson for a burger chain that sells products that are not part of a healthier diet. Finally, several firms complained off the record that King was inconsistent in his endorsements, selling a highly fattening product while similarly endorsing diabetic products manufactured by the [[Johnson & Johnson]] company.<ref name="WSJ-BB & BK"/><ref name="WSJ-BB King issues">{{cite web |last1=Rachel |first1=Zimmerman |title=B.B. King's Mixed Messages Give Some Fans the Blues |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1012861501112862320?cb=logged0.29784769867609806 |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=16 January 2016 |date=5 February 2002 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307182205/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1012861501112862320?cb=logged0.29784769867609806 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2014 Big King ===

=== BK XXL ===
[[File:Big King.jpg|thumb|A Big King sandwich from Sweden is made without the center roll.]]
The ads for the XXL bacon double cheeseburger described the XXL as a Whopper "with two enormous portions of flame-broiled meat that will give you all the energy you need to take the world by storm," and used the tag line of "It's awful being a vegetarian, right?".<ref name="Spain">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/16/ap/health/mainD8LE8I081.shtml |title=Spain Nixes Burger King Ad |agency=AP Wire |work=CBS News |date=16 November 2006 |access-date=26 September 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203331/http://cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/16/ap/health/mainD8LE8I081.shtml |archive-date = 12 October 2007}}</ref>

The British and German ad program for an LTO variant called the Cheesy Bacon XXL featured an edited version of the ''Manthem'' commercial created by [[Crispin Porter + Bogusky]] that was originally used for the company's LTO Texas Double Whopper.<ref name="BB-BK Misteps">{{cite web |last1=Byrnes |first1=Nanette |title=Burger King's Big Misstep |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/magazine/content/09_21/b4132050825864.htm |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |access-date=6 March 2015 |date=14 May 2009 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131252/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/magazine/content/09_21/b4132050825864.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MS-BK Prospectus">{{cite web |title=Burger King Holdings, Inc. Common Stock |url=https://www.morganstanleyclientserv.com/cs/documents?DocID=p_BRGR3 |website=Morgan Stanley |publisher=Burger King Holdings |access-date=6 March 2015 |date=13 November 2007 |type=PDF |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005142234/https://www.morganstanleyclientserv.com/cs/documents?DocID=p_BRGR3 |url-status=live }}</ref> The line mentioning the Whopper was edited out and replaced and the picture of the product was digitally replaced with one of the Cheesy Bacon XXL. The ad was sung entirely in English; all signage, including road signs license plates on vehicles, etc., was not translated into [[German language|German]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Eat Like a Man, Baby! |author=Shawn McKee |work=Ediets.com |date=7 November 2007 }}</ref>

=== Controversies ===
The company's online advertising program in Spain described the BK XXL line as being made "with two enormous portions of flame-broiled meat that will give you all the energy you need to take the world by storm." This claim combined with the television advertising were the prime motivators behind the Spanish government's concerns with the XXL sandwich line. The government claimed that the campaign violated an agreement with the government to comply with an initiative on curbing obesity by promoting such a large and unhealthy sandwich. In response to the government's claims, Burger King replied in a statement: "In this campaign, we are simply promoting a line of burgers that has formed part of our menu in recent years. Our philosophy can be summed up with the motto 'As you like it,' in which our customers' taste trumps all." The company went on to say that it offers other healthier items such as salads and that customers are free to choose their own foods and modify them as they desire.<ref name="Spain"/>

== Naming and trademarks ==
The name ''Big King'' was originally a [[registered trademark]] of Burger King Brands, Inc., and displayed with the "circle-R" (®) symbol in its home market; however, the federal trademark registration was cancelled in 2005 due to failure to file the required 5-year declaration of use. It was reassigned in 2014 to a California-based ice cream manufacturer.<ref name="note1" /> As of February 2015, the name is displayed with the lesser raised "TM" symbol.<ref name="Big King, BK US"/> In most other markets in which the sandwich is sold, it is designated as a registered mark.<ref name="note2" /> The names ''King Supreme'' and ''Double Supreme'' were formerly registered trademarks in the [[United States trademark law|US]],<ref name="note3" /><ref name="note4" /> while the King Supreme is still registered in [[Canadian trademark law|Canada]] in both English and French spellings.<ref name="note5" /><ref name="note6" />

== See also ==
* [[Whopper]]
* Similar sandwiches by other vendors
** [[Big Mac]]
** [[Baconator]]—similar to the BK Stacker line of sandwiches

==Notes==
# British trademarks with the "EU" prefix are European Community wide trademarks.
# The New Zealand trademark office does not allow direct linking of trademark information.

== References ==
{{reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="note1">{{citation |title=Big King, USPTO serial #75292508 |publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office |url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75292508&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch}}</ref>

<ref name="note2">{{citation |title=Big King, EU trade mark #000620740 |publisher=European Union Intellectual Property Office |url=https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/000620740}}</ref>
  
<ref name="note3">{{citation |title=Double Supreme, USPTO serial #77813348 |publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office |url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77813348&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch}}</ref>
  
<ref name="note4">{{citation |title=King Supreme, USPTO serial #76422121 |publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office |url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=76422121&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch}}</ref>
  
<ref name="note5">{{citation |title=King Supreme, CIPO registration #TMA588628 |publisher=Canadian Intellectual Property Office |url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/vwTrdmrk.do?lang=eng&status=OK&fileNumber=1129178&extension=0&startingDocumentIndexOnPage=1}}</ref>
  
<ref name="note6">{{citation |title=King Suprême, CIPO registration #TMA588648 |publisher=Canadian Intellectual Property Office |url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/vwTrdmrk.do?lang=eng&status=OK&fileNumber=1129177&extension=0&startingDocumentIndexOnPage=1}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
{{Burger King}}
{{Hamburgers}}

[[Category:Burger King foods]]
[[Category:Fast food hamburgers]]