McDonald’s Rejects Burger King Partnership: ‘A Simple Phone Call Will Do Next Time’ [Video]


McDonald’s is not loving the Burger King “McWhopper” proposal and has rejected a burger partnership between the two companies. In response to the full size ad Burger King commissioned to suggest the two competing fast food chains work together to celebrate the International Day of Peace, which is on September 21, McDonald’s replied a “simple phone call will do next time,” reports Fox News.

In an effort to promote the International Day of Peace and raise awareness of global suffering, Burger King proposed a mash-up of the two fast food chains’ signature burgers, the Big Mac and the Whopper. Fox News reports that the McWhopper would include elements of the Big Mac and the Whopper, such as flame-broiled beef patty and a middle bun.

Food website Eater reports that the idea, if not perfect to celebrate the International Day of Peace, is certainly perfect to start a media storm. In full page newspaper ads Wednesday in the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, Burger King called for a day of peace with McDonald’s. According to Fox News, Burger King suggested serving the McWhopper for just the one day at a popup location in Atlanta. The temporary restaurant would be placed midway between the McDonald’s and Burger King headquarters.

Proceeds from the Burger King and McDonald’s partnership would be donated to Peace One Day, which is a nonprofit group that raises awareness of the International Day of Peace. According to the Peace One Day website, Burger King is a new corporate partner this year. McDonald’s is currently not a partner. A video on the Peace One Day website, created in partnership with Burger King, claims “proposals like McWhopper make noise,” reports Fox News.

McDonald’s rejected the idea of a McWhopper, however, shutting down peace negotiations by replying via Facebook that they think the two iconic companies can work together to alleviate world suffering, but a McWhopper isn’t it.

In the Facebook post, McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook wrote, “Let’s acknowledge that between us there is simply a friendly business competition and certainly not the unequaled circumstances of the real pain and suffering of war.”

The McDonald’s CEO continued that the fast food giant and Burger King can do “something bigger to make a difference.”

Burger King has asserted a partnership with McDonald’s isn’t about PR or the media. The company simply wants to promote peace. According to Eater, Fernando Machado, Senior Vice President for Global Brand Management at Burger King, asserts “that this invitation is more than a PR stunt” and hoped McDonald’s would respond positively. After the McDonald’s Facebook post, however, it seems the McWhopper will never see the light of day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e01a4-ClcTs

[Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

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