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Burger King Tests Out Delivery

Susannah Chen — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:31:56 PST

It's no secret that Burger King's been struggling to keep its number two spot at the top of the fast-feeder chain. Perhaps its latest strategy will create some much-needed buzz: the chain is testing out delivery in America.

Burger King's currently testing delivery service with four restaurants in the Washington DC area, and will quickly expand to 16 different stores before the end of this month. Customers can place orders both by phone and online at BKDelivers.com.

Given Burger King's plan to overhaul just about everything, perhaps this pilot heralds the possibility of a nationwide delivery rollout, akin to what pizza chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut have been doing all along. After all, the fast-food chain has offered delivery in various South American countries for years. Could you see yourself ordering a delivery of Whoppers and fries?

Burger King Hopes to Reclaim Its Throne With New Fries

Susannah Chen — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:39:34 PST

Like condiments, french fries are ripe for a makeover.

Just ask the top fast food chains: in the past year, Jack in the Box has overhauled its fries to mimic those at McDonald's, and Wendy's has announced that its new fries are actually better than those from the Golden Arches. The latest chain to jump on the french fry reformulation bandwagon? None other than Burger King.

The number two fast-feeder - who's recently been rumored to be at risk of losing its top spot to Wendy's - is hoping the Dec. 5 debut of its newfangled pommes frites will reclaim a piece of the fried potato market.

According to BK, the new fries will be fluffier and have a better potato flavor on the inside and a "crispy, golden-brown deliciousness" on the outside. Burger King hopes to prove its french fry cred to customers come Dec. 16, when it'll be offering free small fries to everyone, no purchase necessary.

I'll be checking out the new fries, as I'm curious to see whether Burger King's given priority to the quality of its ingredients. In your opinion, do any of these french fry reformulations actually make a difference?

Burger King's Now On Board the Oatmeal Train

Susannah Chen — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:41:08 PDT

We were just pondering the next big health food trend - and perhaps one to consider is oatmeal, bearing in mind the pivotal role it's taken on as the star of morning menus at Starbucks, Jamba Juice, McDonald's, and other fast food chains.

Oatmeal's looking like the big cash cow in fast food's breakfast wars. The latest big chain on the oatmeal breakfast train? Burger King, which debuted its whole grain breakfast offering Monday. BK's customers can choose from either the chain's original or fruit-topped maple oatmeal for $1.99 - the exact same price as the pictured oats from McDonald's.

It remains to be seen whether wholesome offerings like oatmeal will help Burger King improve its flagging sales. What do you think?

Finally! Burger King's Dethroned Its Weird Monarch Mascot

Susannah Chen — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:57:36 PDT

The king is dead! At least in the world of Burger King commercials. Today, the number-two fast food restaurant announced that it's canning that creepy, crowned character that's been in commercials since 2003.

The reason? "Our new marketing approach is more food-centric," BK spokesperson Miguel Piedra explained. In place of the king's odd but humorous appearances, new Burger King commercials, which air this weekend in conjunction with the limited-time rollout of the California Whopper, will feature no words - just pulsating muzak and action shots of avocados, tomatoes, lettuce, and beef being prepped.

The new focus on fresh reflects the struggling chain's attempt to catch up with the competition at a time when consumers are less focused on value and more on healthy choices, food quality, and food safety. We're glad to hear this: "That king looks like something out of my nightmares," Katie once remarked. I agree; the oversized, smiling plastic head has always really given me the heebie-jeebies. Do you feel the same way?

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Burger King Hopes to Change Its Message - and Fate

Susannah Chen — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:05:14 PDT

It's been a lackluster year so far for Burger King: worldwide sales are in decline, and while archrival McDonald's expands its empire by 50,000 new hires, the number two fast food chain has quietly laid off 375 US workers.

But the King's not giving up his crown anytime soon. The company has plans to overhaul everything from its strategy and management to its menu items and pricing. Burger King has let go of its CEO, fired its top advertising agency, and pulled the plug on a worldwide store redesign. Now it will focus on broadening its appeal beyond the traditional young male demographic to include busy working moms and young children.

Here's my advice, Burger King: Focus on the quality of your ingredients. If you're going to admit to duplication, at least make sure your product's not a cheap imitation. Otherwise, you'll always be resigned to settle for second best. What do you hope Burger King will change?

Taste-Off! Burger King vs. McDonald's Chicken Nuggets

Susannah Chen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:40:28 PDT

"Crispy. Tender. New," the Burger King website declares of its latest menu item, BK Chicken Tenders. Funny: they might've been new on the BK lineup, but we could've sworn we'd seen them somewhere. Oh, right, on the menu at every McDonald's worldwide for the last three decades as Chicken McNuggets.

Much like the BK Breakfast Muffin was to the McDonald's Sausage McMuffin, the BK Chicken Tenders are near-carbon copies of their Golden Arched counterparts. (When asked to comment, Burger King remarked, "We don't provide details on our secret recipe.")

McDonald's sells its nuggets in packages of four, six, and 10; Burger King's are available in boxes of four, eight, and 20. In our taste test, we learned that just about everything, right down to the packaging, is identical - except, we discovered, with regards to taste. To see how fast food's top two stacked up against each other in a chicken nugget faceoff, read more.

Burger King CEO Thinks His Food Is Better Than England's

Susannah Chen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:53:00 PDT

I wonder what Prince William and Kate Middleton would say about this zinger. Burger King's CEO, Bernardo Hees, is in deep water over calling English food "terrible" and British women "unattractive." Hees told a group of University of Chicago students: "The food is terrible, and the women are not very attractive (in England). Here in Chicago, the food is good, and you are known for good-looking women."

Burger King spokespeople countered that the statement was merely a "humorous anecdote to connect with his audience," but the gaffe has British gastronomes up in arms. Some of the country's culinary authorities have spoken out against the statement, including Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing, who remarked that the CEO's comments were "an insult to British gastronomy."

From a marketing perspective, it never seems wise for restaurants to voice controversial opinions. Still, for the first time ever, British food and drink exports topped more than £10 billion. Looks like England is enjoying the last laugh.

Yummy Links: From Marmalade to Beer

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:25:55 PST

Over in the UK, marmalade's in deep decline. - Daily Mail
This year, Starbucks will venture into India . . . - Wall Street Journal
. . . and Seattle's Best Coffee will be everywhere. - Ad Age
Essential last suppers in every state. - Eater
Jamie Lauren says she was misrepresented on Top Chef. - The Feast
How Zagat Las Vegas beat out Zagat New York. - Grub Street NY
Campbell's Soup is looking to expand to China. - Just Food
Taste tested: BK's Jalapeño & Cheese Stuffed Steakhouse burger. - Slashfood
Beer: could it help prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight gain? - Telegraph

Have You Got a Thing For Burger King?

Susannah Chen — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 03:40:38 PST

Yesterday, Burger King introduced its breakthrough Jalapeño & Cheddar BK Stuffed Steakhouse, fast food's first-ever foray into stuffed burgers, thereby alerting me to an aching desire I never even knew existed. Although I haven't tried the coveted item - yet, I did live vicariously through Burger King corporate, who sent over an entertaining and distracting View-Master toy filled with the company's history and facts. Inspired by my newfound BK knowledge, I thought I'd see how far you'd go to knight yourself a Burger King expert. What do you know about the company and its products? Let's begin this quiz to find out.

Take the Quiz

Burger King Offers Fast Food's First-Ever Stuffed Burger

Susannah Chen — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:20:13 PST

The fast-food burger business just got hotter. This morning, Burger King announced that it's offering fast food's first-ever stuffed burger, the Jalapeño & Cheddar BK Stuffed Steakhouse.

"In it. Not on it" will be the chain's slogan for the new product, which is "flavored from the inside out" with beef stuffed with bits of jalapeño peppers and cheddar cheese. The hamburger, priced at $3.99, will be topped off with a cream-based poblano sauce, tomatoes, and lettuce.

Sounds like the No. 2 fast-food chain might be giving burger leader McDonald's a run for its money. Will you give this new item a go?

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