08/17/2026
To overhaul its signature Whopper, Burger King added a more premium bun, new mayonnaise, a box to preserve freshness—and a corporate chef who had already worked magic at chicken chain Popeyes.
Overseen by Burger King’s U.S. Head Chef Amy Alarcon, who developed the Popeyes chicken sandwich that became a viral sensation in 2019, the revamped Whopper is now helping propel a comeback for the chain. Burger King has lately been drawing diners at a swifter rate than both McDonald’s and Wendy’s, and its restaurant sales are growing faster.
After struggling for years, Burger King is gaining momentum in a rocky patch for the fast-food industry. Inflation-fatigued consumers are watching their food dollars and eating more at home, while restaurants strain under rising costs, particularly for beef.
Earlier this month Burger King reported an 8.5% increase in U.S. same-store sales over its most recent quarter, beating McDonald’s results by the largest margin in at least two years. Wendy’s U.S. same-store sales declined by 7%.
Tom Curtis, president of the chain’s U.S. and Canada business, has played a starring role in the turnaround effort, featuring in videos on Burger King’s social-media accounts where he encourages customers to call him directly with suggestions or complaints. The company said he has personally taken 3,300 calls.
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