Burger King launched a new Crispy Onion Whopper on Wednesday, a guest-inspired twist on its flame-grilled classic that layered a quarter-pound beef patty with bacon, American cheese, creamy mayo, lettuce, tomato, crunchy pickles, golden onion rings, crispy onions and a sweet & smoky BBQ sauce.
What To Know
The company announced the item as part of its “Whopper by You” platform, which is turning customer suggestions into menu innovations.
The new sandwich followed the BBQ Brisket Whopper—the first creation from the “Whopper by You” program—and is set to roll out systemwide for a limited time beginning August 26. The Crispy Onion Whopper will come in both full and Whopper Jr. sizes, mirroring the earlier BBQ Brisket rollout.
Burger King’s move underscored the brand’s shift toward crowd-sourced menu development and loyalty-driven promotions, aiming to convert customer feedback into limited-time offerings. Burger King is also offering customers who submit qualifying ideas the chance to receive rewards on the Royal Perks loyalty program, including a chance at a $0.01 Whopper each week for a year.
What People Are Saying
“Burger King Guests have been loving the recently launched BBQ Brisket Whopper, so we’re excited to bring another Guest-inspired creation to our menus,” Joel Yashinsky, chief marketing officer, Burger King US&C, said in a company statement.
A Burger King spokesperson told Newsweek in July: “At Burger King, our Guests are the star of the menu, which is why we launched our all-new ‘Whopper by You’ platform allowing Guests to submit their dream Whopper creations to help shape the menu.”
Fast Food and the Economy
Wholesale beef costs have recently climbed to record levels, with ground beef reaching $6.25 per pound in July. Newsweek reported in August that sustained high cattle prices were likely to push fast-food prices higher in the U.S.
Fast food consumption is also giving signals on how Americans are coping with the cost of living. Chains like Cava, Sweetgreen and Chipotle—which are seen as being at the higher end of the fast food scale—are seeing slower sales growth, while Americans appear to be favoring lower-cost options and deals.
This week, McDonald’s was reported to be lowering prices on several combo meals to reemphasize affordability, a move that illustrated how major chains were responding to consumer pressure on value.
What Happens Next
The Crispy Onion Whopper will roll out from August 26. Pricing and availability will vary by restaurant and are limited-time offers. Burger King plans to keep soliciting guest submissions for future limited-time Whopper variants.
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