View source for Whopper

{{Short description|Hamburger sold at Burger King and Hungry Jack's}}
{{About|the hamburger|the candy|Whoppers|other uses}}
{{Pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{Good article}}
{{Nutritional value
|name         = Whopper
|image        = WHOPPER with Cheese, at Burger King (2014.05.04).jpg
|image_size   = 220px
|caption      = A [[Burger King]] Whopper sandwich
|serving_size = 1 sandwich (270 g)
|kcal         = 670
|opt1n        = Energy from fat
|opt1v        = {{convert |360 |kcal |kJ |abbr=on}}
|fat          = 40 g
|satfat       = 12 g
|transfat     = 1.5 g
|opt2n        = Cholesterol
|opt2v        = 90&nbsp;mg
|sodium_mg    = 980
|carbs        = 49 g
|fiber        = 2 g
|sugars       = 11 g
|protein      = 28 g
|source       = [https://www.bk.com/pdfs/nutrition.pdf BK.com (PDF)]
}}
{{Burger King sidebar}}
The '''Whopper''' is the signature [[hamburger]] brand of international [[fast food restaurant]] chain [[Burger King]], its Australian franchise [[Hungry Jack's]], and [[BK Whopper Bar]] kiosks. Introduced in 1957 in response to the large burger size of a local restaurant in [[Gainesville, Florida]], it became central to [[Burger King advertising|Burger King's advertising]], including the chain's tagline "the Home of the Whopper." Burger King's competitors began releasing similar products in the 1970s designed to compete against it.

The hamburger has undergone several reformulations, including changes to portion size and the bread used. Burger King sells [[Whopper#Variants|several variants]] that are either limited-time seasonal promotions or tailored to regional tastes and customs. A smaller version called the '''Whopper Jr.''' was introduced in 1963.

==History==
The Whopper was created in 1957 by Burger King co-founder [[James McLamore]] and originally sold for 37 [[US cents]]<ref name="Smith 2012 p. 66">{{cite book | last=Smith | first=A.F. | title=Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat | publisher=ABC-CLIO | issue=v. 1 | year=2012 | isbn=978-0-313-39393-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7-WcKK01H1cC&pg=PA66 | access-date=November 7, 2017 | page=66 | archive-date=April 9, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409180013/https://books.google.com/books?id=7-WcKK01H1cC&pg=PA66 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="whopper">{{cite press release |url=http://bizjournals.bison.com/press/pr2-28-02bk.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019160640/http://bizjournals.bison.com/press/pr2-28-02bk.html |archive-date=19 October 2006 |title=Burger King Celebrates As The WHOPPER Turns 45 |author=BKC |publisher=BizJournals on Bison.com |date=8 February 2002 |access-date=22 October 2007}}</ref><ref name=Oss-37cents>{{cite web |last=Kent |first=Cindy |title=Monday Morning Quick Take |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2007-12-17/business/0712140402_1_burger-king-corp-whopper-ncci-holdings |work=Orlando Sun Sentinel |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=17 December 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112085644/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2007-12-17/business/0712140402_1_burger-king-corp-whopper-ncci-holdings |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="BLS"/> (equivalent to US${{inflation|US|0.37|1957|r=2}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{Inflation/fn|US}} McLamore created the burger after he noticed that a rival restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, was succeeding by selling a larger burger.<ref name="Bradford 2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20170513/gainesville-it-turns-out-is-actual-home-of-whopper |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519014740/https://www.gainesville.com/news/20170513/gainesville-it-turns-out-is-actual-home-of-whopper |archive-date=19 May 2017 |title=Gainesville, it turns out, is the actual 'home of the Whopper' |author=Bradford, Levi |publisher=Gainesville Sun on Gainesville.com |date=17 May 2017 |access-date=5 December 2018}}</ref> Believing that the success of the rival product was its size, he devised the Whopper, naming it so because he thought it conveyed ''"imagery of something big"''.<ref name=WP-History>{{cite news |last=Carman |first=Tim |title=The 55-cent Whopper and the evolution of burgers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/the-55-cent-whopper-and-the-evolution-of-burgers/2012/12/03/8dffc456-3d68-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_blog.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=3 December 2013 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923022132/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/the-55-cent-whopper-and-the-evolution-of-burgers/2012/12/03/8dffc456-3d68-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_blog.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Major fast food chains did not release a similar product until the McDonald's [[Quarter Pounder]] and the [[Burger Chef]] Big Shef in the early 1970s.<ref name=WP-History/><ref name="BI-Whopper v Big Bac">{{cite web |last=Lubin |first=Gus |title=For National Cheeseburger Day, Find Out What Sets A Big Mac And A Whopper Apart |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/big-mac-v-whopper-on-national-cheeseburger-day-2013-9 |work=Business Insider |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=18 September 2013 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111192613/http://www.businessinsider.com/big-mac-v-whopper-on-national-cheeseburger-day-2013-9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SHJ-Big Shef">{{cite news |title=Hardee's brings back the Big Shef |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=20070715&id=v0IfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1707,5287934 |access-date=6 November 2013 |newspaper=Spartensburg Herald-Journal |date=15 July 2007 |page=E5 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212045336/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=20070715&id=v0IfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1707,5287934 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Initially served on a plain bun, the Whopper switched to a [[sesame seed bun]] around 1970.<ref name=MNT-History>{{cite web |last=Doss |first=Lanie |title=The Whopper Turns 55: Five Outrageous Moments in BK History |url=http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2012/12/burger_king_celebrates_whopper.php |work=Miami New Times |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=6 December 2012 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109003256/http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/shortorder/2012/12/burger_king_celebrates_whopper.php |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1985, the weight of the Whopper was increased to {{convert|4.2|oz|g|abbr=on}}, while the bun was replaced by a [[Kaiser roll]].<ref name="nrn-1/3lbwhopper">{{cite news |last=Romero |first=Peter |title=Burger King shifts marketing chiefs: irate franchisees spark latest upheaval |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-6935524/burger-king-shifts-marketing-chiefs-irate-franchisees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109002425/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-6935524/burger-king-shifts-marketing-chiefs-irate-franchisees |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2013 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=1 November 2010 |date=19 December 1998 }}</ref> This was part of a program to improve the product and was accompanied by a US$30 million<ref name="BLS">{{cite web |title=CPI Inflation Calculator |publisher=United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics |url=http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm |access-date=2014-05-16 |archive-date=2019-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917111520/https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> (US${{inflation|US|30|1985|r=0}} million in {{inflation/year|US}}){{inflation/fn|US}} advertising campaign featuring various celebrities such as [[Mr. T]] and [[Loretta Swit]].<ref name="OSS-Whopper size">{{cite web |last=Gale |first=Kevin |title=President Serves Up Whopping Goals |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-07-15/business/8501290068_1_burger-king-chairman-jay-darling-campbell |work=Orlando Sun Sentinel |access-date=7 November 2013 |date=15 July 1985 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109004141/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-07-15/business/8501290068_1_burger-king-chairman-jay-darling-campbell |url-status=dead }}</ref> The goal of the program was to help differentiate the company and its products from those of its competitors.<ref name=Answers>{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Ginger G. |title=Gale Directory of Company Histories: Burger King Corporation |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/burger-king |work=Answers.com |publisher=The Gale Group |access-date=7 November 2013 |archive-date=28 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028190343/http://www.answers.com/topic/burger-king |url-status=live }}</ref> The Whopper reverted to its previous size in 1987 when a new management team took over the company and reverted many of the changes initiated prior to 1985.<ref name="NRN-Whopper size">{{cite web |last=Romeo |first=Peter |title=Burger King chief plays peacemaker; Olcott faces management challenge in new role as president. |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-4686664/burger-king-chief-plays-peacemaker-olcott-faces-management |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109002427/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-4686664/burger-king-chief-plays-peacemaker-olcott-faces-management |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2013 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=7 November 2013 |date=16 February 1987 |type=subscription required}}</ref> In 1994, the Whopper sandwich's Kaiser roll reverted to a sesame seed bun, eliminating the last trace of the sandwich's 1985 reconfiguration.

The packaging has undergone many changes since its inception. Unlike McDonald's, the company never used the [[Clamshell (container)|clamshell]] style box made of [[Styrofoam]], so when the environmental concerns over Styrofoam came to a head in the late-1980s, the company was able to tout its use of [[paperboard]] boxes for its sandwiches.<ref name="nyt-styrofoam">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/18/business/a-setback-for-polystyrene.html?scp=5&sq=Burger%20King%20Styrofoam&st=cse&pagewanted=all |title=A Setback for Polystyrene |last=Holusha |first=Joshua |date=18 November 1990 |work=New York Times |access-date=21 October 2009 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401163816/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/18/business/a-setback-for-polystyrene.html?scp=5&sq=Burger |url-status=live }}</ref> To cut back on the amount of paper that the company used, the paperboard box was eliminated in 1991 and was replaced with [[waxed paper]].<ref name="nrn-paper">{{cite news |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-11240596/bk-replaces-boxes-recyclables-rolls-curly-fries-barbecue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109023744/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-11240596/bk-replaces-boxes-recyclables-rolls-curly-fries-barbecue |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2013 |title=BK replaces boxes with recyclables, rolls curly fries, barbecue sandwich |date=9 September 1991 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=21 October 2009 |type=subscription required}}</ref> For a short time in 2002, the company used a gold-toned, [[aluminum foil]] wrapping for the sandwich as part of the 45th anniversary of the sandwich.<ref name=PRN-Foil>{{cite press release |title=The Whopper Turns 45, Celebrates in New York City |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-whopperr-turns-45-celebrates-in-new-york-city-76242302.html |work=PR Newswire |publisher=Burger King Corporation |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=4 March 2003 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213005813/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-whopperr-turns-45-celebrates-in-new-york-city-76242302.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The packaging was changed again in 2012 when the company moved to a half-wrapped sandwich packaged in a paperboard box, marking a return to the paperboard box for its packaging since 1991.<ref name=Time-Packaging>{{cite web |last=White |first=Martha |title='Home of the Whopper' Looks a Lot Like Its Neighbors |url=https://business.time.com/2012/08/07/home-of-the-whopper-looks-a-lot-like-its-neighbors/ |work=Time Magazine |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=7 August 2012 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109025654/http://business.time.com/2012/08/07/home-of-the-whopper-looks-a-lot-like-its-neighbors/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The '''Whopper Jr.''' was created, by accident, in 1963 by Luis Arenas-Pérez (a.k.a. Luis Arenas), the only Latino in the Burger King Hall of Fame and president and CEO of Burger King in Puerto Rico.<ref name="Junior">{{cite web|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/finanzas/nota/fallececreadordelwhopperjr-2009985/|title=Fallece creador del Whopper Jr.: Luis Arenas, quien presidió las operaciones de Burger King en Puerto Rico, murió esta semana.|first=Marian|last=Díaz|work=El Nuevo Dia|location=[[Guaynabo, Puerto Rico|Guaynabo]], [[Puerto Rico]]|language=es|date=20 February 2015|access-date=20 February 2015|archive-date=20 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220171744/http://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/finanzas/nota/fallececreadordelwhopperjr-2009985/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon the opening of the first Burger King restaurant in [[Carolina, Puerto Rico]], the molds for the (standard) Whopper buns had not yet arrived to [[Puerto Rico]] from the United States mainland and thus there were no buns to make and sell the company's flagship Whopper offering. Arenas opted for honoring the advertised opening date but using the much smaller regular hamburger buns locally available. The result was such a success that Burger King adopted it worldwide and called it the Whopper Jr.<ref name="Junior"/>

In 2020, as part of a global advertising campaign showing the company's commitment to dropping all artificial preservatives, Burger King ran the "Moldy Whopper" ad showing a Whopper decomposing and rotting over a period of 34 days. The Moldy Whopper campaign reached a level of awareness 50 percent higher than Burger King's ad in the [[Super Bowl LIII|2019 Super Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/this-burger-chain-showed-mouldy-food-in-its-advertising-1.6466625|title=This burger chain showed mouldy food in its advertising|website=Cbc.ca|access-date=24 June 2022|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626124951/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/this-burger-chain-showed-mouldy-food-in-its-advertising-1.6466625|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ogilvy.com/work/moldy-whopper|title=The Moldy Whopper – Burger King &#124; Our Work|website=Ogilvy.com|access-date=24 June 2022|archive-date=23 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523182432/https://www.ogilvy.com/work/moldy-whopper|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Competitors' products ===
Competitors such as McDonald's and Wendy's have attempted to create burgers similar to the Whopper, often nicknamed a ''Whopper Stopper'' during the development phase.<ref name="bnet-bw">{{cite news |url=http://business.highbeam.com/137330/article-1G1-20437027/mcdonald-woos-franchisees-25k-storeupdate-funding-promise |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110100816/http://business.highbeam.com/137330/article-1G1-20437027/mcdonald-woos-franchisees-25k-storeupdate-funding-promise |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2013 |title=McDonald's woos franchisees with $25k store-update funding promise |last=Shannon |first=Stevens |work=Brandweek |access-date=2 October 2009 |date=23 March 1998 |quote=The MBX must deliver on value, which it does right now", said Ball, referring to the big beef, lettuce and tomato sandwich now in test, dubbed the latest "Whopper Stopper. |type=subscription required}}</ref> Wendy's created the [[Big Classic]] with similar toppings but served on a [[bulkie roll]], while McDonald's has created at least six different versions, including the McDLT,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-4026592/burger-giants-launch-new-product-assaults-mcd-speeds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110100808/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-4026592/burger-giants-launch-new-product-assaults-mcd-speeds |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2013 |title=Burger giants launch new product assaults; McD speeds rollout of McDLT sandwich&nbsp;— McDonald's |first=David |last=Zuckerman |publisher=[[Nation's Restaurant News]] |date=18 November 1985 |access-date=23 October 2007 |type=subscription required}}</ref> the [[Arch Deluxe]],<ref name="USNWR-Whopper Stopper">{{cite web|last=Mannix |first=Margaret |title=A Big Whopper Stopper? |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/960506/archive_009590.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131115173158/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/960506/archive_009590.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2013 |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=15 November 2013 |date=28 April 1996 }}</ref> and the [[Big N' Tasty]], most of which generally failed and are not sold in most restaurants today.<ref name="AG-Whopper Stopper">{{cite web |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/070297/fea_whopper.html |title=McDonald's hoping new burger a Whopper stopper |agency=Associated Press |work=[[The Augusta Chronicle]] |date=2 July 1997 |access-date=23 October 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071030042615/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/070297/fea_whopper.html |archive-date =30 October 2007}}</ref><ref name="AP-Whopper Stopper">{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Cliff |title=McDonald's hoping new burger a Whopper Stopper |url=https://apnews.com/9adc7bc152ef3a1d4e0739b2c65b3660 |work=Associated Press News |access-date=15 November 2013 |date=1 July 1996 |archive-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705234013/https://apnews.com/9adc7bc152ef3a1d4e0739b2c65b3660 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Product description==
The Whopper is a hamburger consisting of a flame-[[grilling|grilled]] {{convert|4|oz|g|abbr=on}} beef patty, sesame seed bun, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and sliced onion. Optional ingredients such as [[American cheese]], [[bacon]], [[mustard (condiment)|mustard]], [[guacamole]] or [[jalapeño]] peppers may be added upon request (with optional additions varying depending on region and availability). Regional and international condiments include [[BBQ sauce]] and [[salsa (sauce)|salsa]]. Burger King will also add any condiment it sells upon request, as per its long-standing slogan "Have It Your Way".<ref name=History-NRN>{{cite web |last=Dostal |first=Erin |title=The history of Burger King's Whopper |url=http://nrn.com/latest-headlines/history-burger-kings-whopper |work=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=13 December 2012 |type=subscription required |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111193150/http://nrn.com/latest-headlines/history-burger-kings-whopper |url-status=live }}</ref> It is available with one, two or three beef patties and in a smaller version called the Whopper Jr, or without meat in a version called the Veggie Whopper. The Australian franchise of Burger King, Hungry Jack's, sells its [[veggie burger]] sandwich as the Veggie Whopper.<ref name="CT-Veggie Whopper">{{cite web |title=Veg claim shown to be a whopper |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/veg-claim-shown-to-be-a-whopper-20111105-1v1zs.html |work=The Canberra Times |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=5 November 2011 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301135818/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/veg-claim-shown-to-be-a-whopper-20111105-1v1zs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Burger King has sold several different promotional varieties throughout the years as limited-time offerings (LTO).<ref name=History-NRN/> With the addition of [[hot dog]]s to the company's menu in February 2016,<ref name="AdAge-Hot dogs">{{cite web |last1=Madov |first1=Natasha |title=Burger King Adds the 'Whopper of Hot Dogs' to Menu |url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-hot-dog-king-fast-food-chain-announces-addition-menu/302632/ |publisher=Advertising Age |access-date=6 May 2016 |date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=19 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419205134/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-hot-dog-king-fast-food-chain-announces-addition-menu/302632/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Burger King began testing its first major variant called the Whopper Dog in May of the same year across various regions within the United States. The new dog featured a grilled [[Oscar Mayer]] hot dog with all of the ingredients featured on the Whopper sandwich.<ref name="AdAge-Hot dogs"/><ref name="Consumerist-Whopper Dog">{{cite web |last1=Northrup |first1=Laura |title=Burger King Testing Unholy Hybrid: Whopper Dog |url=https://consumerist.com/2016/05/05/burger-king-testing-unholy-hybrid-whopper-dog/ |publisher=The Consumerist |access-date=6 May 2016 |date=5 May 2016 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730234941/https://consumerist.com/2016/05/05/burger-king-testing-unholy-hybrid-whopper-dog/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2020, Burger King accounted that it would remove artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors from the Whopper by the end of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lucas |first1=Amelia |title=Burger King is cutting artificial preservatives and it created a gross new ad to show it off |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/burger-king-is-removing-artificial-additives-from-the-whopper.html |website=CNBC |access-date=February 19, 2020 |language=en |date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104082147/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/burger-king-is-removing-artificial-additives-from-the-whopper.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are localized versions of the Whopper in several of its international operations, such as the teriyaki Whopper in Japan or the LTO Canadian Whopper.<ref name=JT-Whopper>{{cite web |last=Shimizu |first=Kaho |title=Burger King stages return under new management, realities |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/06/07/news/burger-king-stages-return-under-new-management-realities/#.Unq1TOJbJTg |work=Japan Times |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=7 June 2007 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111194709/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/06/07/news/burger-king-stages-return-under-new-management-realities/#.Unq1TOJbJTg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=QSRM-International>{{cite web |last=Chancey |first=Blair |title=King, Meet the World |url=http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/interview/112/shaufelberger-1.phtml |work=QSR Magazine |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305233036/http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/interview/112/shaufelberger-1.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Canadian Whopper"/> Following its entry in [[India]], to accommodate cultural taboos of India related to beef, the chain has eliminated beef Whopper from its menu and instead introduced mutton Whopper, veggie Whopper, and the chicken Whopper.<ref name=WSJ-Rana>{{cite news |last1=Rana |first1=Preetika |title=Burger King Brings Beef-Free Whoppers to India |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/10/30/burger-king-brings-beef-free-whoppers-to-india-2/ |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=8 November 2014 |date=30 October 2014 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926022806/https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/10/30/burger-king-brings-beef-free-whoppers-to-india-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Variants ===
{{anchor|Whopper variants}}
[[File:Impossible Whopper 1.jpg|thumb|Impossible Whopper]]
The '''{{vanchor|[[Impossible Whopper]]}}''' is a 100% vegetarian burger with a patty manufactured by [[Impossible Foods]] of [[Oakland, California]]. Burger King began test marketing the Impossible Whopper in April 2019 at locations in and around [[St. Louis, Missouri]].<ref name="CNBC-Imp">{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/01/burger-king-is-testing-a-vegetarian-whopper-made-with-impossible-burger.html |title=Burger King is testing vegetarian Whopper made with Impossible Burger |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=1 April 2019 |access-date=1 April 2019 |work=[[CNBC]] |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212045223/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/01/burger-king-is-testing-a-vegetarian-whopper-made-with-impossible-burger.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was accompanied with an [[April Fools]]-themed promotional video on April 1, 2019.<ref name="CNBC-Imp"/> Later that month, the company announced plans to roll out Impossible Whoppers nationwide before the end of the year.<ref name="MSNBC-Imp">{{Cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/burger-king-plans-to-release-plant-based-impossible-whopper-nationwide-by-end-of-year/ar-BBWoJmO?OCID=ansmsnnews11 |title=Burger King plans to release plant-based Impossible Whopper nationwide by end of year |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |work=[[MSNBC]] |date=29 April 2019 |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-date=14 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914011322/https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/burger-king-plans-to-release-plant-based-impossible-whopper-nationwide-by-end-of-year/ar-BBWoJmO?OCID=ansmsnnews11 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August, it was made available nationwide.<ref name="Fox-Imp">{{cite news |title=Impossible Burger prank becomes Burger King feeding frenzy |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/impossible-burger-prank-becomes-burger-king-feeding-frenzy |last=Limitone |first=Julia |work=[[FOX Business]] |access-date=3 September 2019 |date=23 August 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208145630/https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/impossible-burger-prank-becomes-burger-king-feeding-frenzy |url-status=live }}</ref>

The '''{{vanchor|Rebel Whopper}}''' and the '''{{vanchor|Plant-Based Whopper}}''' are other burgers made with a patty made from a [[meat analogue|plant-based meat analogue]] rather than meat. In October 2019, Hungry Jack's in Australia introduced the Rebel Whopper which contains a [[Meat analogue|meat-free]] patty made from protein extracted from [[legume]]s, created in partnership with Australian company [[v2food]]. Burger King in New Zealand introduced the Rebel Whopper to their range in January 2020.<ref name=smart>{{cite news|last=Palmer-Derrien|first=Stephanie|date=2020-11-05|title=From the Rebel Whopper to global domination: A year in the life of plant-based meat startup v2food|url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/analysis/v2food-plant-based-meat-startup-timeline/|work=SmartCompany|access-date=2021-08-09|archive-date=2021-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727053829/https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/analysis/v2food-plant-based-meat-startup-timeline/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was introduced to the Philippines as the Plant-Based Whopper in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/17/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-now-available-and-heres-what-filipino-diners-have-to-say/|title=Burger King's Plant-Based Whopper is now available and here's what Filipino diners have to say|date=November 17, 2020|website=Manila Bulletin|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117101857/https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/17/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-now-available-and-heres-what-filipino-diners-have-to-say/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fnbreport.ph/news/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-in-the-philippines-mariansp-20201116/|title=Burger King's plant-based Whopper is now in the Philippines|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203233941/http://fnbreport.ph/news/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-in-the-philippines-mariansp-20201116/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2020, it was made available in [[Japan]] for a limited time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soranews24.com/2020/12/10/burger-king-releases-new-plant-based-whopper-in-japan/|title=Burger King releases new Plant-Based Whopper in Japan|date=December 10, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212130031/https://soranews24.com/2020/12/10/burger-king-releases-new-plant-based-whopper-in-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref> That same month, the Plant-Based Whopper was introduced by Burger King outlets in China but with a patty made by the Dutch company [[The Vegetarian Butcher]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ho|first=Sally|date=2021-01-14|title=Burger King Launches Plant-Based Whoppers Across Asia With v2food & The Vegetarian Butcher|url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/burger-king-launches-plant-based-whoppers-across-asia-with-v2food-the-vegetarian-butcher/|work=Green Queen|access-date=2021-08-09|archive-date=2021-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809043717/https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/burger-king-launches-plant-based-whoppers-across-asia-with-v2food-the-vegetarian-butcher/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rebel Whopper/Plant-Based Whopper is sold in the UK and Ireland and in various countries across continental Europe including Germany; the patty is made in cooperation with The Vegetarian Butcher.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Burger King Germany: "One in Five Whoppers is Now Sold With a Plant-Based Patty" - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine | url=https://vegconomist.com/interviews/burger-king-germany-whoppers-plant-based-patty/ | access-date=2025-08-08 | website=vegconomist.com}}</ref>

[[File:Windows 7 Whopper - Burger King.jpg|left|thumb |The Windows 7 Whopper]]
The '''{{vanchor|Windows 7 Whopper}}''' was sold in Japan for the promotion of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows 7]] operating system. The hamburger contained seven stacked beef patties and measured {{convert|5|in|cm|abbr=on}} high, weighed almost {{convert|2.2|lbs|kg|abbr=on}}, and had more than {{convert|1000|kcal|kJ|abbr=on}}. It was originally planned to be available for only seven days starting on 22 October 2009.<ref name="Fox-Win7 Whopper">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/big-in-japan-burger-king-sells-windows-7-whopper |title=Big in Japan: Burger King Sells Windows 7 Whopper |date=23 October 2009 |access-date=3 November 2009 |work=Fox News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026144322/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569268,00.html?test=latestnews |archive-date=26 October 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to its success in selling 6,000 sandwiches within the first four days, Burger King decided to extend the promotion period an extra nine days, ending on 6 November.<ref name="Fox-Win7 Whopper"/><ref name="Time-Win7 Whopper">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1933387,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103082945/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1933387,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2009 |title=Burger King Gives Japan a Seven-Patty Challenge |access-date=3 November 2009 |date=31 October 2009 |magazine=TIME}}</ref> The campaign was met with unexpected popularity in Japan, sparking multiple YouTube videos and blog posts about the burger.<ref name="Time-Win7 Whopper" />

The '''{{vanchor|Pizza Burger}}''' is a burger sold exclusively at the [[BK Whopper Bar]] location in [[Times Square]], New York City, that was introduced in September 2010. It consists of four Whopper patties on a 9.5&nbsp;inch sesame bun,<ref name="SN">{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Strange-News/Pizza-Burger-Burger-King-To-Introduce-The-2500-Calorie-Pizza-Burger-In-New-York-In-September/Article/201008415704796 |title=The Pizza Burger: A 2,500-Calorie 'Fat Bomb' |work=[[Sky News]] |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827160810/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Strange-News/Pizza-Burger-Burger-King-To-Introduce-The-2500-Calorie-Pizza-Burger-In-New-York-In-September/Article/201008415704796 |archive-date=27 August 2010 }}</ref> sliced into six pieces and topped with [[pepperoni]], [[mozzarella]], basil [[pesto]] and [[marinara sauce]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7959380/Burger-King-introduces-the-2500-Pizza-Burger.html |title=Burger King introduces the 2500 Pizza Burger |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030041/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7959380/Burger-King-introduces-the-2500-Pizza-Burger.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The whole burger contains more than the recommended daily allowance of calories for men at 2,520 calories, with 144&nbsp;grams of fat, 59g of which is saturated, and 3,780&nbsp;mg of sodium, more than double the recommended daily allowance for adults.<ref name="SN"/> However, according to Burger King's Vice President of global marketing, John Schaufelberger, the burger is not intended to feed just one person.<ref name="NRN-Pizza burger">{{cite web |last=Thorn |first=Bret |title=BK to offer shareable Pizza Burger |url=http://www.nrn.com/article/bk-offer-shareable-pizza-burger |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011 |type=subscription required |archive-date=8 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108105716/http://nrn.com/article/bk-offer-shareable-pizza-burger |url-status=live }}</ref> Each slice has 420 calories, 24&nbsp;g fat (10&nbsp;g saturated), and 630&nbsp;mg sodium.

The '''{{vanchor|Angry Whopper}}''' has jalapeños, "Angry Sauce" and "Angry Onions", [[pepper jack cheese]] and bacon.<ref name=iht>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/27/business/NA-FIN-COM-US-Burger-King-Outlook.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506202216/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/27/business/NA-FIN-COM-US-Burger-King-Outlook.php |archive-date=6 May 2008 |title=Burger King discusses new items for 2008, growth strategies |agency=Associated Press |work=the International Herald Tribune |date=27 February 2008 |access-date=1 March 2008 |quote=The new items discussed Wednesday include an Angry Bacon and Cheese Whopper with spicy, crispy onions, and the Indy Whopper, which will have bacon and pepper jack cheese and will be promoted together with the new Indiana Jones movie this summer.}}</ref><ref name="NPR-Angry Whopper">{{cite web |last=Chillag |first=Ian |title=Sandwich Monday: The Angry Whopper |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/11/05/164345842/sandwich-monday-the-angry-whopper |work=NPR |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=5 November 2012 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112100502/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/11/05/164345842/sandwich-monday-the-angry-whopper |url-status=live }}</ref> Originally released in Europe, the sandwich made its way to the United States in 2008. A variation called the '''Angriest Whopper''' debuted in 2016; The new variant added a red bun with hot pepper sauce baked into the roll.<ref name="AdAge-Angriest">{{cite web |last1=Whol |first1=Jessica |title=Burger King Seeing Red With Angriest Whopper |url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-king-angrier-red-bun-whopper/303294/ |work=Advertising Age |access-date=6 May 2016 |date=29 March 2016 |archive-date=19 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519104521/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-king-angrier-red-bun-whopper/303294/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Angriest Whopper followed a similar sandwich, the '''A1 Halloween Whopper''' released for [[Halloween]] 2015, which was prepared with [[Food coloring|black-colored]], [[Smoking (cooking)|smoke-flavored]] buns.<ref name="NPR-Angry Whopper"/> The Angry Whopper was released with a [[viral marketing]] push created by Burger King's advertising agency at the time, [[Crispin Porter + Bogusky]]. The two tiered program, designed to create a [[word-of-mouth]] marketing push, featured a webpage that allowed consumers to create an "Angry-gram" that could be emailed to other individuals. The [[form letter]] format page would send an insulting email to a recipient of choice from the sender. The second part consisted of a Facebook-oriented program where the company would issue a coupon for a free sandwich if the consumer would de-friend 10 people on their Facebook page.<ref name=Terrazas>{{cite web |last=Terrazas |first=Brent |title=Burger King's Angry Whopper & Facebook Debauchery |url=http://www.brentter.com/burger-kings-angry-whopper-facebook-debauchery/ |work=Brentter.com |date=9 January 2009 |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723092454/http://www.brentter.com/burger-kings-angry-whopper-facebook-debauchery/ |archive-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Angriest Whopper was pitched using advertising similar to trailers for movie sequels, with a movie trailer-style opening screen, shots of lava, a helicopter and flames. The tag line for the ad was "''The only way to handle the heat is to embrace it.''"<ref name="NPR-Angry Whopper"/>

The '''{{vanchor|BK 1/4&nbsp;lb Burger}}''' was a direct competitor to the [[Quarter Pounder]] sandwich from McDonald's. It consisted of a Whopper with only ketchup, mustard, pickle and onions.<ref name="QSRM-3 tastes">{{cite web|title=Three new tastes at Burger King|url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/three-new-tastes-burger-king|work=QSR Magazine|access-date=25 May 2014|date=26 December 2001|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525214216/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/three-new-tastes-burger-king|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Whopperito]] is a burrito containing all the ingredients of the Whopper except ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard, which are replaced with [[queso sauce]]. It was first introduced at select locations in [[Pennsylvania]] in June 2016, and was rolled out throughout the United States the following August.<ref name=newsweek>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/burger-king-whopper-burrito-488487 |title=Burger King's New Whopperito Is as Disgusting as It Looks |last=Bort |first=Ryan |website=Newsweek |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=16 April 2017 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928123425/https://www.newsweek.com/burger-king-whopper-burrito-488487 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://consumerist.com/2016/08/08/this-is-no-longer-a-test-burger-kings-whopperito-going-national-later-this-month/ |title=This Is No Longer A Test: Burger King's "Whopperito" Going National Later This Month |last=Kieler |first=Ashlee |website=Consumerist |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=16 April 2017 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108100020/https://consumerist.com/2016/08/08/this-is-no-longer-a-test-burger-kings-whopperito-going-national-later-this-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Philippines}}In the [[Philippines]], notable variants of the Whopper include the '''{{vanchor|3-Meat Whopper}}''', which contains three different kinds of meat – [[bacon]], [[pepperoni]] and the [[beef patty]] itself<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/burgerkingph/status/461417348465840128 |title=Pay day is 3-Meat Whopper day!pic.twitter.com/8QqYQE8aNr |first=Burger King |last=Phils |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328231943/https://twitter.com/burgerkingph/status/461417348465840128 |url-status=live }}</ref> – as well as another variant, the '''Meat Beast Whopper,''' which included [[ham]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/a.118272199105.97509.107720949105/10154491315734106/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10154491315734106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the '''4-Cheese Whopper''', which contains four different types of cheese: [[Swiss cheese (North America)|Swiss]], [[American cheese|American]], [[mozzarella]] and [[Cheez Whiz|cheese sauce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/a.10152420717234106.1073741855.107720949105/10152420717484106/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10152420717484106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> For a limited time, the '''Bacon 4-Cheese Whopper''' and '''Cheetos 4-Cheese Crunch'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/a.118272199105.97509.107720949105/10155577136439106/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10155577136439106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> were made available, which included bacon and [[Cheetos]], respectively. The Angry Whopper was made available in 2015 and again in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/the-angry-whopper-looks-hot-but-it-tastes-even-hotter-when-angerstrikes-run-to-b/10153672937824106/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10153672937824106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines|website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Discontinued variants ===
{{see also |Burger King grilled chicken sandwiches}}
As part of the 45th anniversary of the Whopper sandwich in 2002, Burger King introduced a grilled chicken version of the sandwich called the '''Chicken Whopper''' and added a smaller '''Chicken Whopper Jr.''' sandwich along with a new Caesar salad sandwich topped with a Chicken Whopper patty.<ref>{{cite web |editor=Allen, Robin Lee |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-84019673/crown-jewels-new-marketing-product-rollouts-energize |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109013843/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-84019673/crown-jewels-new-marketing-product-rollouts-energize |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2013 |title=Crown jewels: New marketing, product rollouts energize BK journey back to fast-food royalty |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=18 March 2002 |type=subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Burger King Corporation |url=http://www.bison.com/press_burgerking_05232002 |title=Burger King Sells 40 Millionth Chicken Whopper |date=23 May 2003 |type=subscription required |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528101232/http://www.bison.com/press_burgerking_05232002 |archive-date=28 May 2009 }}</ref><ref name=CT-Chicken>{{cite news |last=Rector |first=Sylvia |title=Chicken rules fast-food roost |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/11/06/chicken-rules-fast-food-roost/ |access-date=23 September 2011 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=6 November 2002 |agency=Knight Ridder/Tribune |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007120202/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-11-06/entertainment/0211060202_1_menu-board-national-chicken-council-panera-bread |url-status=live }}</ref> The introduction of the Chicken Whopper represented the company's first move to extend the Whopper brand name beyond beef based sandwiches since the original Whopper's introduction in the 1950s.<ref name="AB-Carrols">{{cite web |title=Carrols: Chicken Whopper Is A Bust |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/eating-drinking-places/4274163-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819184513/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/eating-drinking-places/4274163-1.html |archive-date=19 August 2007 |work=All Business |publisher=Dun & Bradstreet |access-date=23 September 2011 |date=March 2003}}</ref> The sandwiches featured a whole chicken breast filet, weighing either {{convert |4.7 |oz |g |abbr=on}} for the larger sandwich or a {{convert |3.1 |oz |g |abbr=on}} for the Jr., mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato on a sesame seed roll.<ref name="HC-Chick Whopper">{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Ken |title=Chicken sandwich grows up to be a Whopper |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2002_3535763/chicken-sandwich-grows-up-to-be-a-whopper.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022042827/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2002_3535763/chicken-sandwich-grows-up-to-be-a-whopper.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=23 September 2011 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=12 April 2002 |page=5}}</ref> A newly reformulated low fat mayonnaise was introduced in conjunction with the new sandwiches.<ref name="BW-Sales">{{cite news|last=Wahlgren |first=Eric |title=Burger Makers' Not-So-Meaty Prospects |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf2002049_3504.htm |access-date=24 September 2011 |work=Business Week |date=9 April 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130021015/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf2002049_3504.htm |archive-date=30 November 2011 }}</ref> Along with the company's new [[BK Veggie]] sandwich, The Chicken Whopper Jr. version of the sandwich was lauded by the [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] (CSPI) as being one of the best nutritionally sound products sold by a fast food chain. Conversely, the CSPI decried the rest of the Burger King menu as being vastly unhealthy.<ref>{{cite press release|title=CSPI Picks the Best and Worst Fast Foods |url=http://www.cspinet.org/new/200208211_print.html |publisher=Center for Science in the Public Interest |access-date=24 September 2011 |date=21 August 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322210547/http://www.cspinet.org/new/200208211_print.html |archive-date=22 March 2012 }}</ref>

Development of the sandwich began in 2001 in response to several major factors.<ref name="CT-Chicken"/><ref name="USAT-Chick Whopper">{{cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=Fast-food giants always trying new tastes |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/07/03/fast-food.htm |access-date=24 September 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |date=3 July 2007 |archive-date=19 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219234342/http://www.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/07/03/fast-food.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After an overall sales decline of 17% coupled with a profit decline of 29%, Burger King held a series of consumer tests that showed the company's customer base was looking for a wider variety of options when making purchases.<ref name=CT-Chicken/><ref name="BW-Sales"/> Additional survey results revealed that a lack of newer products was discouraging consumers from visiting the chain.<ref name="USAT-Chick Whopper"/> Furthermore, the company was seeking to counter the threat to its sales by newer [[fast casual restaurant]]s that had begun to bite into sales.<ref name=CT-Chicken/> By July 2002, the chain had sold nearly fifty million of the sandwiches, eventually displacing the BK Broiler's initial launch figures as the company's best selling product introduction.<ref name="USAT-Chick Whopper" /><ref name="QSR-Chick Whopper">{{cite press release|title=50 Millionth Chicken Whopper Sandwich Will Be Sold Today |url=http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-01-2002/0001756551&EDATE= |publisher=Burger King Corporation |access-date=23 September 2011 |date=1 July 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516003441/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F07-01-2002%2F0001756551&EDATE= |archive-date=16 May 2012 }}</ref> The successful introduction of the Chicken Whopper was one of the few noted positive highlights of the company during negotiations for the sale of Burger King by its then owner [[Diageo]] to a group of investors led by the [[TPG Capital]]; Chicago-based consulting firm Technomic Inc. President Ron Paul was quoted that he was encouraged by recent product changes at Burger King such as the new Chicken Whopper, but he said it was too early to tell whether the changes have been successful.<ref name="SFC-BK sale">{{cite news |last=Colliver |first=Victoria |title=Whopper of a Deal |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Whopper-of-a-deal-S-F-s-Texas-Pacific-Group-2791107.php2 |access-date=24 September 2011 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=26 July 2002 |page=2 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112184216/http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Whopper-of-a-deal-S-F-s-Texas-Pacific-Group-2791107.php2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the Chicken Whopper's initial success, just over a year after its introduction, enthusiasm for the product was waning; Burger King's largest franchisee, [[Carrols Corporation]], was complaining that the product line was a failure, describing the sandwich as a pedestrian product with a great name.<ref name="AB-Carrols"/>

==Advertising==
{{see also|Burger King advertising|List of Burger King marketing campaigns}}
[[File:1960s Whopper ad.jpg|left|thumb |upright|An early example of advertising for the Whopper. The sandwich from that period did not feature sesame seeds on the bun.]]
One of the original slogans of the Whopper advertised by Burger King was ''There are 1024 ways to have a Whopper'';<ref name="Canadian Whopper">{{cite press release |url=http://burgerking.openface.ca/imagelibrary/PRPDFs/BK%20Canadian%20Whopper%20release-FINAL.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205003400/http://burgerking.openface.ca/imagelibrary/PRPDFs/BK%20Canadian%20Whopper%20release-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2009 |title=Burger King Canada introduces a Whopper of a Canadian burger (Press release) |author=BKC Canada |publisher=openface.ca |date=5 April 2004 |access-date=24 October 2007}}</ref><ref name="MUK-Two hands">{{cite web |title=Burger King launches low-fat 'satisfries' |url=http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/24/burger-king-launches-low-fat-satisfries-4103830/ |work=Metro UK |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=24 September 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112094528/http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/24/burger-king-launches-low-fat-satisfries-4103830/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the claim is based on an [[exponential function]] of whether the sandwich has the ingredient or not, represented by a [[binary number]] of 0 or 1, raised to the power of number of possible ingredients at the time, ten, thus 2<sup>10</sup> =1,024. This claim was later expanded to ''There are 221,184 possible ways for a customer to order a Whopper sandwich''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bk.com/companyinfo/content/corporation/facts.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426045211/https://www.bk.com/companyinfo/content/corporation/facts.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |title=BK Domestic and Global Facts |author=BKC |publisher=Burger King |access-date=24 October 2007 }}</ref> Other slogans include ''It takes two hands to handle a Whopper'' and ''Burger King: Home of the Whopper''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bk.com/companyinfo/content/corporation/history.html |title=BK Marketing and Advertising History |author=BKC |publisher=Burger King |access-date=24 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525025155/http://www.bk.com/companyinfo/content/corporation/history.html |archive-date=25 May 2007}}</ref><sup><nowiki>[</nowiki>[[#OTM|Notes 3]]<nowiki>]</nowiki></sup>

[[Where's Herb?]] was an advertising campaign for the sandwich from 1985 to 1986 designed by [[J. Walter Thompson]].<ref name=NYT-Herb>{{cite web |last=Prescott |first=Eileen |title=The Making of 'Mac Tonight' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/business/the-making-of-mac-tonight.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |work=New York Times |access-date=15 November 2013 |date=29 November 1987 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203021735/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/business/the-making-of-mac-tonight.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |url-status=live }}</ref> The television commercials featured a fictional character named Herb, who was described as a [[nerd]] who had never eaten a Burger King burger in his life. They called on fans to visit their local Burger King in the hope of finding Herb and winning a prize. The campaign also included an "I'm not Herb" promotion, in which customers could get a discounted Whopper by including the phrase in their order. At first, people were confused because they did not know what Herb looked like. The promotion was poorly received by both franchises and the public,<ref name=NYT-Humor>{{cite news |last=Bloom |first=Claire |title=Madison Avenue, Where Humor Can Get Some Respect |newspaper=New York Times |date=19 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="AA-Franchise revolt">{{cite web |last=McArthur |first=Kate |title=Fed up, BK franchise group moves to dethrone Diageo |url=http://adage.com/article/news/fed-bk-franchise-group-moves-dethrone-diageo/57437/ |work=AdAge |access-date=15 November 2013 |date=31 July 2010 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132317/http://adage.com/article/news/fed-bk-franchise-group-moves-dethrone-diageo/57437/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and its failure prompted Burger King to drop JWT in 1987.<ref name="AA-Franchise revolt"/><ref name="NRN-Franchise revolt">{{cite web |last=Darling |first=Jay |title=Management shakeups rock Grace, Burger King; Darling departure tied to 'Herb,'franchise dissent. |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-4353782/management-shakeups-rock-grace-burger-king-darling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121854/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-4353782/management-shakeups-rock-grace-burger-king-darling |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 May 2014 |work=Nation's Restaurant News |publisher=Highbeam |access-date=15 November 2013 |date=4 August 1986 |type=Subscription required}}</ref>

The Whopper has been at the center of several hoaxes and pranks from the company. In a 1998 [[April Fool's Day]] prank, Burger King took out a full page advertisement in several national publications such as ''[[USA Today]]'' advertising a new version of the sandwich called the "Left-Handed Whopper". The advertisement claimed that the condiments were all rotated 180° to accommodate [[Left-handed|southpaw]]s.<ref name="Time-April Fools">{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Dan |title=The Left-Handed Whopper – 1998 |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1888721_1888719_1888662,00.html |work=Time Magazine |date=1 April 2011 |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022345/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1888721_1888719_1888662,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another prank from 2013 claimed that the company was introducing a "hands-free Whopper holder" to allow people to eat the sandwich while doing other activities. The unit, similar to a harmonica holder, was supposed to be introduced in Puerto Rico to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. It was later revealed to be a joke.<ref name=MSN-hoax>{{cite web |title=Hands-free burger-eating device is the greatest invention in history |url=http://now.msn.com/hands-free-whopper-lets-you-eat-a-burger-without-hands |work=MSN News |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=5 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109095235/http://now.msn.com/hands-free-whopper-lets-you-eat-a-burger-without-hands |archive-date=9 November 2013 }}</ref><ref name=CNBC-hoax>{{cite web |last=Langfield |first=Amy |title=Hands-Free Whopper Holders Were Never Actually Made, Burger King Says |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/hands-free-whopper-holders-burger-king_n_3381007.html |work=CNBC |publisher=Huffington Post |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=3 June 2013 |archive-date=16 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116095138/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/hands-free-whopper-holders-burger-king_n_3381007.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2007 advertising campaign celebrating the [[Wedding anniversary|golden anniversary]] of the Whopper showed real customers in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] reacting to the false news the Whopper has been discontinued. While it was not permanently discontinued, the ad claims it was discontinued for one day. Later versions of the ads had customers receiving a [[Big Mac]] or [[Wendy's]] Single and their reactions to the sandwich. In-store ads, such as posters and tray-liners, attack the size and quality of the Big Mac.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/adtrack/2007-12-09-ski-marketing_N.htm |title=BK's telling a Whopper |first=Theresa |last=Howard |work=USA Today |date=9 December 2007 |access-date=12 January 2008 |quote=Suppose you went to Burger King, (BKC) ordered a Whopper and were told it was discontinued. |archive-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201205846/http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/adtrack/2007-12-09-ski-marketing_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whopperfreakout.com |title=Whopper Freakout |author=BK Holdings web site |publisher=[[Crispin, Porter + Bogusky]] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217051427/http://www.whopperfreakout.com/ |archive-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref> The campaign won the 2009 [[Effie Award]] as one of the best restaurant advertising promotions for 2007–2008.<ref name="effie">{{cite web |url=http://www.effie.org/winners/showcase/2009/3590 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011005352/http://www.effie.org/winners/showcase/2009/3590 |archive-date=11 October 2009 |title=2009 Grand Effie – Restaurants |work=Effie International |access-date=23 October 2009}}</ref>

[[Crispin, Porter + Bogusky]], Burger King's advertising company of record from 2003 to 2011, produced several notable ads for the Whopper. In December 2008, Burger King purchased the rights to an advertising campaign that centered on a taste-test marketing campaign, dubbed "Whopper Virgins". The test claimed to target participants who were unaware of the existence of Burger King or McDonald's, and had never eaten a hamburger. Three remote areas of the world—Baan Khun Chang Kiean, [[Thailand]]; [[Kulusuk]], Greenland; and [[Budeşti]], Romania—were targeted. In the test, the "virgins" were asked to try both the McDonald's [[Big Mac]] and the Burger King Whopper, and give their preference, if any. According to the advertisements and accompanying mini-documentary, the Whopper was the most popular sandwich among the test subjects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whoppervirgins.com |title=WhopperVirgins.com |publisher=Burger King Brands |date=November 2008 |access-date=2019-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206044130/http://www.whoppervirgins.com/ |archive-date=2019-02-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bryson |first=Emily York |url=http://adage.com/article?article_id=133063 |work=Advertising Age |title=WhopperVirgins.com |access-date=15 November 2013 |date=8 December 2008 |archive-date=11 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211041554/http://adage.com/article?article_id=133063 |url-status=live }}</ref> A social media based promotion from Crispin Porter + Bogusky in 2009 gave a free Whopper coupon for every 10 friends on [[Facebook]] a user would drop. The advertising program dubbed "Whopper Sacrifice", was stopped after a week when Facebook canceled the Whopper Sacrifice account as a violation of its user privacy policy. This was despite the fact that the Burger King application was downloaded 60,000 times and 200,000 people were defriended.<ref name="CNet-Whopper sacrifice">{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caroline |title=The dark secrets of Whopper Sacrifice |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10211898-36.html |work=C{{!}}Net |access-date=7 November 2013 |date=3 April 2009 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112102112/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10211898-36.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The company's final advertising campaign for the company was its "Whopper Lust" commercial which was a cross promotion with [[DirecTV]]. The promotion had an image of a Whopper on channel 111, and for every 5 minutes the image remained on the TV a free Whopper coupon would be sent to the subscriber. By the end of the promotion, over 50,000 coupons were distributed.<ref name=AW-Whopper>{{cite web |last=Nudd |first=Tim |title='Whopper Lust': CP+B's Wonderful Swan Song on Burger King |url=http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/whopper-lust-cpbs-wonderful-swan-song-burger-king-132584 |work=AdWeek |access-date=7 November 2013 |date=15 June 2011 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112092620/http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/whopper-lust-cpbs-wonderful-swan-song-burger-king-132584 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After parting ways with  Crispin Porter + Bogusky in 2011, the company hired the firm of [[McGarryBowen]] to handle its advertising.<ref name="Forbes-McGarry Bowen">{{cite web |last=Babej |first=Marc |title=Burger King Decapitates Its "King" Mascot [About Time] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcbabej/2011/08/19/burger-king-decapitates-its-king-mascot-about-time/ |work=Forbes |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=19 August 2011 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015931/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcbabej/2011/08/19/burger-king-decapitates-its-king-mascot-about-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> McGarry Bowen changed the direction of the advertisements so that they centered on the ingredients of the products instead of humor. One of the new advertisements produced by them featured the new California Whopper, made with guacamole, Swiss cheese and bacon.<ref name="DF-Cali Whopper">{{cite web |last=Dicker |first=Ron |title=Burger King Drops Its King Campaign for Fresher Approach |url=http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/19/fast-food-burger-king-mascot/ |work=Daily Finance |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112200315/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/19/fast-food-burger-king-mascot/ |archive-date=2013-11-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The new television spot had no words, only images of the ingredients for the sandwich being prepared and used to assemble the new sandwich accompanied by a pulsating soundtrack.<ref name="USAT-Cali Whopper">{{cite web |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=Burger King freshens fast-food image, kicks King to the curb |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011/08/Burger-King-freshens-fast-food-image-kicks-King-to-the-curb/50046768/1 |work=USA Today |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=19 August 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719220629/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011/08/Burger-King-freshens-fast-food-image-kicks-King-to-the-curb/50046768/1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Controversies ===
Several of CP+B's advertising programs for Burger King, including ones for the Whopper, drew criticism from groups for perceived cultural insensitivity or misogynistic themes within them. In May 2006, in an American promotion of the Texas Double Whopper, Burger King released a campaign called the "Manthem" which parodies [[Helen Reddy]]'s "[[I Am Woman]]". It depicts a man and his girlfriend at a fancy restaurant. Disappointed by the meager portions he is served, the man bursts into song, expressing his desire for a Texas Double Whopper, in place of what he deems "chick food." As he walks out of the restaurant, he is joined by a chorus of men who rebel by not only eating Texas Double Whoppers, but also [[going commando|go commando]], lift a [[minivan]] over the side of an [[overpass]], and unfurl a banner which says "Eat This Meat." This has been the source of some controversy, as the commercial has been described as demeaning to male vegetarians/vegans, as well as [[misogyny|misogynistic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adjab.com/2006/05/08/ads-we-love-burger-kings-manthem/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619194225/http://www.adjab.com/2006/05/08/ads-we-love-burger-kings-manthem/ |archive-date=19 June 2006 |title=Ads We Love: Burger King's "Manthem" |first=Ben |last=Popken |publisher=AdJab.com |date=8 May 2006 |access-date=27 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/commercials/i-am-man-hear-me-roar-when-my-heart-explodes-177354.php |title=I Am Man, Hear Me Roar... When My Heart Explodes |publisher=The Consumerist |date=31 May 2006 |access-date=27 October 2007 |archive-date=13 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113034351/http://consumerist.com/consumer/commercials/i-am-man-hear-me-roar-when-my-heart-explodes-177354.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Another problematic CP+B advertising program was for the 2009 Texican Whopper that featured commercial known as "The Little Mexican". The Texican Whopper was a limited-time-only version of the Whopper sold in Europe and was advertised with an ad that featured a pair of actors dressed as a cowboy and a [[lucha libre]] wrestler.<ref name="AdAge-Texican">{{cite web |last=Parekh |first=Rupal |title=BK to Revise Ad After Complaints From Mexican Official |url=http://adage.com/article/global-news/burger-king-revise-ad-complaints-mexican-official/135989/ |work=AdAge |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=14 April 2009 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107014449/http://adage.com/article/global-news/burger-king-revise-ad-complaints-mexican-official/135989/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The problem arose when the Mexican Ambassador to Spain complained that the commercial featured demeaning stereotypes of Mexicans. Additionally, the print version of the advertisement featured the wrestler wearing a cape that appeared to be a [[Mexican flag]], a violation of Mexican [[Law on the National Arms, Flag, and Anthem (Mexico)|laws governing the usage]] of its national banner.<ref name="FN-Texican">{{cite web |title=Burger King 'Little Mexican' Ad Slammed in Spain |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/burger-king-little-mexican-ad-slammed-in-spain/ |work=Fox News |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=14 April 2009 |agency=SkyNews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208204141/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/04/14/burger-king-little-mexican-ad-slammed-in-spain/ |archive-date=2013-12-08 |url-status=live }}</ref> Burger King eventually pulled the ad and issued an apology to the Mexican government. Conversely, the Mexican newspaper ''[[Excélsior]]'' issued a parody of the ad featuring American president Barack Obama as the cowboy and Mexican President Felipe Calderon as the wrestler as a commentary on the relationship between the two countries.<ref name="LAT-Texican">{{cite web |last=Bonello |first=Deborah |title=Burger King withdraws ad after Mexican objection |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2009/04/burger-king-withdraws-ad-after-mexican-objection.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=15 April 2009 |archive-date=23 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123073843/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2009/04/burger-king-withdraws-ad-after-mexican-objection.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, Burger King introduced a commercial in Russia, in which a Whopper was shown crushing [[red poppy|red poppies]], and the dialogue "This is a poppy. It was popular once, but now its time has passed."<ref name="BI-Opiates"/> The Russian word for poppy is "mak" (мак), a homophone for Mac{{emdash}}a major nickname for McDonald's in Russia.<ref name="AA-Opiates"/>  However, major Russian broadcasters rejected the ad due to concerns over its possible insinuation that the Whopper was better than drugs, as red poppies are in the same plant family as the source of [[heroin]].<!-- EDITOR NOTE: THE RED POPPY IS *NOT* A SOURCE OF OPIATES, THAT WOULD BE THE WHITE POPPY--><ref name="BI-Opiates">{{cite web |last=Stampler |first=Laura |title=Advertising More: Madison Avenue Advertising Burger King Russia This Russian Burger King Ad Says Whoppers Are Better Than Opiates |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/this-russian-burger-king-ad-says-whoppers-are-better-than-opiates-2013-8 |work=Business Insider |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=17 August 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112085630/http://www.businessinsider.com/this-russian-burger-king-ad-says-whoppers-are-better-than-opiates-2013-8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AA-Opiates">{{cite web |title=Russian Burger King Ad: Whoppers Are Totally Better Than Opiates |url=http://adage.com/article/adages/burger-king-russia-likens-whopper-opiates/243690/ |work=AdAge |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=15 August 2013 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610211310/http://adage.com/article/adages/burger-king-russia-likens-whopper-opiates/243690/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MT-Opiates">{{cite web |title=Burger King Ad Rejected By TV Stations |url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/burger-king-ad-rejected-by-tv-stations-video/484615.html |work=The Moscow Times |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=16 August 2013 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310124359/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/burger-king-ad-rejected-by-tv-stations-video/484615.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The company refused to comment of the veracity of the networks' claims, and instead posted the advertisement on its [[YouTube]] channel, eventually pulling it from that service as well.<ref name="BI-Opiates"/><ref name="FN-Opiates">{{cite web |title=Burger King pulls ad suggesting its food is an alternative to drugs |url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/burger-king-pulls-ad-suggesting-its-food-is-an-alternative-to-drugs |work=Fox News |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=20 August 2013 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023010828/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/08/20/burger-king-pull-ad-that-suggests-burger-is-better-than-drugs/#ixzz2ccSg8Dhw |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 12, 2017, Burger King released a commercial entitled ''Connected Whopper'', in which a store employee says that while he could not explain a Whopper in 15 seconds, he had discovered a different way to do so, after which he states "OK Google, what is the Whopper burger?". The dialogue was designed to trigger [[Google Voice Search|voice searches]] on [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices and [[Google Home (smart speakers)|Google Home]] [[smart speaker]]s configured to automatically respond to the phrase "OK Google".<ref name="variety-voicesearch"/><ref name="FinTim">{{cite news|last1=Bradshaw|first1=Tim|title=Burger King activates a Google Home controversy|url=https://www.ft.com/content/480e5ba6-202b-11e7-a454-ab04428977f9 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/480e5ba6-202b-11e7-a454-ab04428977f9 |archive-date=2022-12-10 |url-access=subscription|access-date=April 26, 2017|publisher=Financial Times|date=April 13, 2017}}</ref>  The specific query caused the device to read out a 43 word block of text from [[English Wikipedia|Wikipedia]]'s article on the Whopper. Prior to the ad's premiere, the article had been edited by users, including one named "Burger King Corporation", so that Google's automatically generated [[Google Knowledge Graph|knowledge panel]] would show a description of the Whopper burger in promotional language. The edits were reverted for violating Wikipedia's policy against promotion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/12/burger-kings-new-ad-will-hijack-your-google-home.html|title=Burger King's new ad will hijack your Google Home|last=Wong|first=Venessa|date=2017-04-12|website=CNBC|access-date=2017-04-12|archive-date=2017-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413073101/http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/12/burger-kings-new-ad-will-hijack-your-google-home.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/12/15259400/burger-king-google-home-ad-wikipedia|title=Burger King's new ad forces Google Home to advertise the Whopper|date=2017-04-12|website=The Verge|access-date=2017-04-12|archive-date=2017-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217165423/https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/12/15259400/burger-king-google-home-ad-wikipedia|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after the text became the target of [[Vandalism on Wikipedia|vandals]], with some falsely adding ingredients such as [[cyanide]] and the meat of children to the article.<ref name="verge-addisabled"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/burger-king-is-launching-a-tv-ad-with-a-disastrous-flaw-2017-4|title=Burger King's newest TV ad has a disastrous flaw|work=Business Insider|access-date=2017-04-12|language=en|archive-date=2017-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413063131/http://www.businessinsider.com/burger-king-is-launching-a-tv-ad-with-a-disastrous-flaw-2017-4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="variety-voicesearch">{{cite web|title=New Burger King Ad Triggers Google Home Speakers, Android Phones|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/burger-king-okay-google-ad-1202029305/|website=Variety|date=12 April 2017|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072647/http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/burger-king-okay-google-ad-1202029305/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Google]] blacklisted the advertisement's audio so that it would not trigger the always-on voice detection. In turn, Burger King modified the commercial in order to get around this block.<ref name="wp-admodified">{{cite news|title=Burger King thought it had a great idea. Instead, it ended up with a Whopper of a problem.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/04/12/burger-king-thought-is-had-a-great-idea-instead-it-ended-up-with-a-whopper-of-a-problem/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415020227/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/04/12/burger-king-thought-is-had-a-great-idea-instead-it-ended-up-with-a-whopper-of-a-problem/|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Wikipedia administrator]] also protected the Whopper article to prevent the [[Conflict-of-interest editing on Wikipedia|promotional descriptions]] or [[Vandalism on Wikipedia|vandalism]] from being re-inserted.<ref name="verge-addisabled">{{cite web|title=Google shuts down Burger King's cunning TV ad|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/12/15277278/google-home-burger-king-whopper-ad-campaign|website=The Verge|date=12 April 2017|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412233203/https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/12/15277278/google-home-burger-king-whopper-ad-campaign|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the controversy, the campaign won the Grand Prix in the direct category at the [[Cannes Lions]] festival (under the title ''Google Home of the Whopper''), beating ''[[Fearless Girl]]'' by one vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adweek.com/creativity/burger-kings-outstanding-outrageous-google-home-stunt-snags-direct-grand-prix-at-cannes/|title=Burger King's 'Outstanding, Outrageous' Google Home Stunt Snags Direct Grand Prix at Cannes|work=Adweek|date=20 June 2017 |access-date=2017-06-22|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622145812/http://www.adweek.com/creativity/burger-kings-outstanding-outrageous-google-home-stunt-snags-direct-grand-prix-at-cannes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 28, 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Burger King, alleging the fast food chain falsely advertised the Whopper to be "look about 35% bigger in its advertising than it is in reality".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burger King sued by customers who claim Whopper is smaller than advertised |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/burger-king-sued-whopper-false-advertising/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Cbsnews.com |date=5 April 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405165838/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/burger-king-sued-whopper-false-advertising/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Burger King accused of false advertising in lawsuit alleging Whoppers are too small |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/burger-king-false-advertising-lawsuit-whopper-burgers-rcna22916 |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=NBC News |date=4 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404234212/https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/burger-king-false-advertising-lawsuit-whopper-burgers-rcna22916 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023 it was declared by a judge that Burger King will face a class action lawsuit regarding the size of the Whopper.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burger King must face whopper of a lawsuit alleging burgers are too small, says judge |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/08/30/burger-king-class-action-lawsuit/70717589007/ |website=USA TODAY |access-date=1 September 2023}}</ref>

===Tie-ins===
The 2008 movie releases of ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'' saw a promotional [[tie-in]] with the new Indy Whopper featuring bacon, spicy mayo, and pepper jack cheese and ''[[The Incredible Hulk (film)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' with the Angry Whopper.<ref name=iht/><ref name="Slate-Whiplash Whopper"/> A pair of European advertisements for the Dark Whopper, made with pepper-jack cheese, black-pepper ketchup, and "a darkly delicious sauce",<ref name="Slate-Whiplash Whopper"/> featured two product tie-ins with both the 2007 [[Spider-Man]] sequel ''[[Spider-Man 3]]'' and the 2008 [[Batman]] sequel ''[[The Dark Knight]]''.<ref name="AW-Dark Whopper">{{cite web |last=Kiefaber |first=David |title=BK's 'Dark Knight' ad looks awfully familiar |url=http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/bks-dark-knight-ad-looks-awfully-familiar-15548 |work=Adweek |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=29 July 2008 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112183319/http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/bks-dark-knight-ad-looks-awfully-familiar-15548 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="G-Dark Whopper">{{cite web |last=Sweeny |first=Mike |title=Burger King makes cinema debut with Dark Knight ad campaign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/22/advertising.marketingandpr |work=The Guardian |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=22 July 2008 |archive-date=8 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108145530/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/22/advertising.marketingandpr |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Iron Man 2]]'' was linked to Burger King's Whiplash Whopper in 2010.<ref name="Slate-Whiplash Whopper">{{cite web |last=Peters |first=Justin |title=The Whiplash Whopper |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2010/06/the_whiplash_whopper.single.html |work=Slate |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=1 June 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112183626/http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2010/06/the_whiplash_whopper.single.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== BK Whopper Bar ==
{{main|BK Whopper Bar}}

The '''BK Whopper Bar''' is limited service concept created by Burger King in 2009.<ref name="wb-nyt">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/business/29whopper.html |title=A Half-Century Old, the Whopper to Get a Younger Image |last=Grynbaum |first=Michael |date=29 March 2009 |work=The New York Times |access-date=10 October 2009 |location=New York |archive-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203021105/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/business/29whopper.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Whopper Bars are smaller footprint, specialized stores with a menu limited to the company's Whopper, [[TenderCrisp|crispy chicken sandwich]] and [[BK grilled chicken sandwiches|grilled chicken sandwich]] sandwiches; drinks; and desserts.<ref name="bk-wb menu">{{cite web|url=http://www.bkwhopperbar.com/en-us/universal-citywalk/menu.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009004615/http://www.bkwhopperbar.com/en-us/universal-citywalk/menu.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 9 October 2009 |title=Whopper Bar menu |publisher=Burger King Brands |access-date=10 October 2009 }}</ref> The menu features higher-end ingredients and variants not sold in the normal Burger King locations. The concept is similar to the [[McCafé]] concept from rival [[McDonald's]], and like the McCafé locations they are designed to go into airports, casinos, and other areas with limited amounts of space.<ref name="wb-tfc">{{cite web |url=http://www.foodchannel.com/stories/288-burger-king-unveils-whopper-bar/ |title=Burger King Unveils Whopper Bar |first=Lindsey |last=Klingele |work=The Food Channel |publisher=Glam Networks, LLC |date=3 April 2009 |access-date=10 October 2009 |archive-date=3 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603094840/http://www.foodchannel.com/stories/288-burger-king-unveils-whopper-bar |url-status=live }}</ref>

The menu at the Whopper Bar features as many as 10 variants on the Whopper, including the Western Whopper, the Texas Double Whopper and the Angry Whopper. Additionally, a customization section allows the customer to have a personalized Whopper made with ingredients such as jalapeño peppers, steak sauce or blue cheese. The open station differs from the company's usual kitchen model in that it is in plain sight of the customer instead of being located in the back-end of the store. The intent of the design is to add a sense of showmanship to the concept.<ref name="WSJ-Whopper Bar">{{cite news |last=Adamy |first=Janet |title=Burger King Whopper To Be Feted |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB120672457122272165 |access-date=6 November 2013 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=29 March 2008 |type=subscription required |archive-date=13 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113080859/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB120672457122272165 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Additionally, the company sells beer at the Whopper Bar locations, including [[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]], [[Bud Light]], and [[Miller Lite]] in aluminum bottles designed to maintain temperature. The move, designed to target the important 30-and-under demographic, has been called risky by industry analysts because the company is known as a fast food purveyor and not as an alcoholic beverages seller. Other industry consultants have disagreed with the assessment, believing that the move is timely because the company is growing with its aging customer base.<ref name="bk-beer">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-01-21-burger-king-beer_N.htm |title=Burger King plans beer-selling Whopper Bar in South Beach |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |date=22 January 2009 |work=USA Today |access-date=23 January 2010 |location=Miami, Florida |archive-date=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125013030/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-01-21-burger-king-beer_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bnet-beer">{{cite web |url=http://www.bnet.com/blog/food/burger-king-says-have-it-your-way-beer-with-that-whopper-and-fries/1287 |title=Burger King Says "Have It Your Way:" Beer With That Whopper and Fries? |last=Phillips |first=David |date=25 January 2010 |publisher=BNet.com |access-date=8 February 2010 |archive-date=15 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315064338/http://www.bnet.com/blog/food/burger-king-says-have-it-your-way-beer-with-that-whopper-and-fries/1287 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="qsrweb-beer">{{cite web|url=http://www.qsrweb.com/article/96407/New-Burger-King-Whopper-Bar-to-serve-beer |title=New BK Whopper Bar to sell beer |last=Hoyland |first=Christa |date=22 January 2010 |publisher=QSRWeb.com |access-date=22 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715135532/http://www.qsrweb.com/article/96407/New-Burger-King-Whopper-Bar-to-serve-beer |archive-date=15 July 2011 }}</ref>

==Nutritional comparison==
The Whopper at {{Convert |670 |kcal |kJ |0 |abbr=on}} per sandwich has more calories than McDonald's [[Big Mac]] at {{Convert |540 |kcal |kJ |0 |abbr=on}} per sandwich, but is larger – {{Convert |290 |g |oz |abbr=on}} vs. {{Convert |214 |g |oz |abbr=on}}. Therefore, the Whopper contains fewer calories per gram than the Big Mac. The Whopper contains {{Convert |231 |kcal |kJ |0 |abbr=on}} per {{Convert |100 |g |oz |abbr=on}} and the Big Mac contains {{Convert |252 |kcal |kJ |0 |abbr=on}} kcal per {{Convert |100 |g |oz |abbr=on}}.<ref name="BI-Whopper v Big Bac"/><ref name="BK Nutrition">{{citation |url=http://www.bk.com/Nutrition/PDFs/brochure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721142410/http://www.bk.com/Nutrition/PDFs/brochure.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2006 |title=2006 Burger King Nutrition Guide |quote=Whopper serving size 290 g, 670 kcal }}</ref><ref name="McD's Nutrition">{{citation |url=http://app.mcdonalds.com/countries/usa/food/nutrition/categories/nutritionfacts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410035814/http://app.mcdonalds.com/countries/usa/food/nutrition/categories/nutritionfacts.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2008 |title=2008 McDonald's Nutrition Guide |quote=Big Mac serving size 214 g, 540 kcal }}</ref> Cheese comes standard on the Big Mac, but is optional on the Whopper.<ref name="BK Nutrition"/><ref name="McD's Nutrition"/>

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+'''''Comparisons of the Whopper nutritional values in different countries''' (% = % of recommended daily allowance)''
|-
!Country<!--{{IOCcode}} - Country Currently using Template:Country - more info see talk page of that template; for code see List of IOC country codes, else just use Country's name without template-->
!Energy
!Carbohydrates
!Protein
!Fat (total)
!Dietary fiber
!Sodium, Salt
!Serving<br /> size<br /> (weight)
!Reference
 |-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |Australia}} ||'''{{Convert |2750 |kJ |kcal |0 |abbr=on}}''' (32%) ||47.9&nbsp;g (15%) ||28.3&nbsp;g (57%) ||39.3&nbsp;g (56%) || ||837&nbsp;mg (36%) || ||[https://www.hungryjacks.com.au/menu/whopper/whopper .au]
|-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |Denmark}} ||'''{{Convert |2509 |kJ |kcal |0 |abbr=on}}''' ||44.4&nbsp;g ||26.5&nbsp;g ||34.4&nbsp;g ||2.7&nbsp;g || || ||[https://web.archive.org/web/20130115115752/http://www.burgerking.dk/produkter/hamburgere/whopper/ .dk]
|-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |France}} ||'''{{Convert |2493 |kJ |kcal |0 |abbr=on}}''' ||46.9&nbsp;g ||21.9&nbsp;g ||35.1&nbsp;g ||3.8&nbsp;g || 1000&nbsp;mg|| ||[https://web.archive.org/web/20181025071400/http://fr.burger-king.ch/produits .fr]
|-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |Germany}} ||'''{{Convert |2651 |kJ |kcal |0 |abbr=on}}''' ||45.3&nbsp;g ||27.3&nbsp;g ||34.5&nbsp;g ||4.2&nbsp;g ||1018&nbsp;mg ||274&nbsp;g ||[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203045037/http://www.burgerking.de/uploads/imageblockadmin/naehrwerte/130716_Naehrwerte_Juli.pdf .de]
|-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |New Zealand}} ||'''{{Convert |2649|kJ|kcal|0|abbr=on}}''' ||49.2&nbsp;g ||29.8&nbsp;g || 34.2&nbsp;g || ||855&nbsp;mg ||298&nbsp;g ||[https://web.archive.org/web/20141006141602/http://www.burgerking.co.nz/pdf/Burger%20King%20Nutritional%20Information.pdf .nz]
|-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |United Kingdom}} ||'''{{Convert |2741 |kJ |kcal |0 |abbr=on}}''' ||51.5&nbsp;g ||30.5&nbsp;g ||35.4&nbsp;g ||3.4&nbsp;g ||1043&nbsp;mg || ||[https://web.archive.org/web/20220104060419/https://www.burgerking.co.uk/files/documents/Nutritionals_November_2013.pdf .uk]
|-
|align="left" |{{Flagu |United States}} ||'''{{Convert |2803 |kJ |kcal |0 |abbr=on}}''' ||51&nbsp;g ||29&nbsp;g ||40&nbsp;g ||3&nbsp;g ||980&nbsp;mg (43%) ||290&nbsp;g ||[https://web.archive.org/web/20120806200623/http://www.bk.com/cms/en/us/cms_out/digital_assets/files/pages/MenuNutritionInformation.pdf .us]
|}

== Naming and trademarks ==
When Burger King expanded into the [[San Antonio]] area, it was prevented from utilizing the name Whopper in its local advertising and stores due to a prior state-registered service mark owned by a local chain known as Whopper Burger.<ref name="barkoff">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eVmD3FAG3zgC&q=Fundamentals+of+Franchising |title=Fundamentals of Franchising |first=Rupert M. |last=Barkoff |publisher=[[American Bar Association]] |date=25 January 2005 |isbn=1-59031-409-3 |page=23 |access-date=5 December 2020 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409180032/https://books.google.com/books?id=eVmD3FAG3zgC&q=Fundamentals+of+Franchising |url-status=live }}</ref> The chain, owned by Frank and Barbara Bates, prevented the company from using the name in [[Bexar County]] for several years until Barbara Bates, who became the CEO of Whopper Burger after the death of her husband in 1983, retired and sold the chain with its related trademarks to then-corporate parent Pillsbury in the mid-1980s.<ref>{{cite press release|title=San Antonio: A Legacy Steeped in History, A Culture Rich in Diversity |publisher=[[United States General Services Administration]] |date=February 2003 |quote=San Antonio is the original birthplace of the ‘whopper burger.’ Because of copyright laws, Burger King was unable to open restaurants in San Antonio until ‘Whopper Burger’ was bought out by the Pillsbury Company and the remainder of the restaurants closed down or were transformed into Burger Kings.}}</ref><ref name="SAEN-Trademark">{{cite news |last=Bivins |first=Ralph |title=Burger King promises store by year-end |url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/vault/2011/06/whopper-burger-vs-burger-king/ |page=7C |access-date=6 November 2013 |newspaper=San Antonio Express-News |date=5 October 1985 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109025207/http://blog.mysanantonio.com/vault/2011/06/whopper-burger-vs-burger-king/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Food}}
* [[BK XXL]] line
* [[Burger King premium burgers]]
* [[Burger King products]]
* [[List of Burger King products]]

; Similar sandwiches by other [[fast food restaurant]] vendors
* [[McDonald's]] [[Quarter Pounder]], [[Big N' Tasty]] and [[McLean Deluxe]]
* [[Wendy's]] [[Big Classic]]
* [[Carl's Jr.]]'s [[Six Dollar Burger]]
* [[Hardee's]] [[Monster Thickburger]]
* [[List of sandwiches]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{cite news |last1=Bradford |first1=Levi |date=17 May 2017 |title=Gainesville, it turns out, is the actual 'home of the Whopper' |url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20170513/gainesville-it-turns-out-is-actual-home-of-whopper |work=[[The Gainesville Sun]] |location=Gainesville, Florida |access-date=5 December 2018}}

{{Burger King}}
{{Hamburgers}}

[[Category:Burger King foods]]
[[Category:Fast food hamburgers]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1957]]