Atlanta could have been ground zero in an effort to end the burger battle between McDonald’s and Burger King.
But on Wednesday, Burger King’s special order for a McWhopper — a hybrid of the signature sandwiches from each chain — left McDonald’s upset…and some Atlantans relieved.
“If I was 25 again I might try that, but at 46 I’m not sure. Why would you want to really?” said Jim Gillum of Dawsonville. “I would like to see it, but I don’t think I would take a bite.”
Gillum probably won’t have the chance to do either.
Burger King released an open letter to McDonald’s on Wednesday asking their fellow burger maker to join forces on World Peace Day (September 21) to create a McWhopper.
The sandwich would combine six ingredients from Burger King's Whopper and six ingredients from McDonald's Big Mac and it would be sold right here in Atlanta on Sept. 21. Why? Because we are kind-of midway between McDonald's headquarters in Chicago and Burger King headquarters in Miami. Burger King worked out a plan for a pop-up shop, employee uniforms, packaging and more and posted it all on Mcwhopper.com.
“Our proposal is designed to generate the most attention and awareness possible for Peace Day and the work of the non-profit organization Peace One Day,” said Fernando Machado, Burger King senior vice president for global brand management, in the release.
McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook quickly took to Facebook with a response that pretty much squashed the whole idea. “We love the intention but think our two brands could do something bigger to make a difference. We commit to raise awareness worldwide, perhaps you’ll join us in a meaningful global effort?”
Facebook followers got busy branding McDonald’s a party pooper calling Easterbrook’s response “passive aggressive” and calling him names that can’t be repeated here.
While an AJC.com poll revealed that 76 percent of readers would try the McWhopper, some readers said they won't be miss not having a McWhopper meal.
Steven Smith of Sandy Springs was not happy about the proposed ingredients in the mash-up burger. “Oh no, it’s two totally different flavors,” he said of the all-beef patty on a Big Mac and the flame-broiled patty on a Whopper.
Lorraine Maurice said she would try it, but only for a good cause. “I would only try it because it is World Peace Day,” said Maurice, a technology marketing director in Atlanta. “At the end of the day I would hope it makes a difference. Otherwise I really think it is just disgusting.”
And while they claim to be seeking peace, Maurice thinks Burger King’s approach was a little shady. “I think it would have had a bigger impact if they had collaborated before the announcement. It seems contrived on Burger King’s part,” she said. But she admits to being biased. “I used to work at McDonald’s when I was a kid, so I have an allegiance to them,” she said. “And I like their French fries better.”
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