The BBQ Brisket Whopper is the first item to launch from Burger King’s new “Whopper by You” platform—a program that invites guests to help shape the burger giant’s menu.
BK’s newest Whopper features a grilled quarter-pound beef patty stacked with slow-cooked barbecue brisket, crispy onions and American cheese, drizzled with a sweet, golden barbecue sauce and topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo.
“We were inspired by our guests' requests to create a backyard-style BBQ Whopper," said Zack Young, Burger King’s director of culinary innovation US & Canada. “We wanted to fuse the classic flavors of a Whopper with what everyone loves about Carolina barbecue—pit-smoked BBQ brisket and sweet and golden Carolina gold BBQ sauce sit atop a flame-grilled patty on a toasted, sesame seed bun.”
To put the new Whopper on the menu, the Miami-based fast-food burger chain had to bring in the brisket, Carolina gold BBQ sauce and crispy onions. “A fun fact is that the brisket is actually pit smoked. It's smoked slowly over 10 to 14 hours, then shredded and blended with a traditional barbecue sauce,” Young added.
The BBQ Brisket Whopper rolls out systemwide Tuesday, with prices starting at $7.99. The same build can be ordered as a BBQ Brisket Whopper Jr. starting at $4.79. Both are available while supplies last.
The “Whopper by You” platform encourages fans to submit their Whopper creations, offering ideas on a spicy twist, unique topping or cheese, or any kind of culinary makeover for Burger King’s signature item.
This seems to be the next iteration of BK’s 2024 Million Dollar Whopper promotion, in which Royal Perks loyalty members could submit new flavor ideas for the Whopper with the chance to win $1 million. Three finalists, announced last November, included a Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper, a Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper and a Mexican Street Corn Whopper; customers sampled the entries in store and voted on their favorite. The Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper was crowned the Million Dollar winner.
“As the brand known for ‘Have It Your Way,’ we want to continue letting our guests tell us what they want—and when it comes to our iconic Whopper sandwich, they have a lot of ideas,” said Joel Yashinsky, CMO of Burger King US & Canada, in a statement. “We’re excited to kick off the ‘Whopper by You’ platform with the BBQ Brisket Whopper, a flavor profile that our guests requested…”
“Whopper by You” submissions will be accepted starting Tuesday at BK.com/WBY. Those who enter with their first creation can redeem a special Royal Perks offer assigned at random—ranging from free hamburgers, cheeseburgers or Whopper Jr. sandwiches with purchase to a $0.01 Whopper sandwich each week for a year, among other giveaways.
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