Burger King just updated its signature Whopper burger for the first time in a decade.
Inspired by customer complaints that its iconic burger was often squished during transit — it used to be simply wrapped in paper — the fast-food chain has released an updated Whopper with new box packaging, a new bun, and new, “creamier” mayonnaise.
I’m a huge fan of the original Whopper — I even rank it above McDonald’s signature Big Mac and Wendy’s Dave’s Single — so I was eager to see if Burger King could improve upon what I consider near-perfection.
Amid the ongoing value wars at fast-food chains, I was also interested to see if this burger could offer an elevated experience for customers without a price hike.
I tried Burger King’s new “elevated” Whopper, and thought it was a clear upgrade from the original.
The Whopper has been around for decades. This is the first time it’s been served in a cardboard box.
Released in 1957, just four years after the chain opened, the Whopper was 37 cents compared to Burger King’s original burger, which cost 18 cents.
Whoppers — and all Burger King burgers, for that matter — are flame-grilled, giving their burgers a distinct smoky flavor. Another difference between Burger King’s premium burgers and those of other chains, like McDonald’s, is that Burger King’s burgers are typically wrapped in paper rather than served in a cardboard box.
This new presentation is the most obvious change from the original Whopper.
The new cardboard box design better protected the burger from getting smushed during transit.
The chain announced on February 26 that it would change its Whopper packaging in response to negative customer feedback.
“So the Whopper being smushed, literally, I’ve heard it… and we’ve seen it,” Tom Curtis, president of Burger King in the US and Canada, told CNN.
Another change to the burger is the bun itself — it’s described in a press release as “a more premium, better-tasting bun.” I agreed that the bun looked much thicker, shinier, and better than previous iterations.
The burger has all the same toppings as the original, with upgraded mayonnaise.
While Whoppers don’t typically come with cheese, I always order mine with cheese. The other toppings include sliced onions and tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and a new “better-tasting” mayo, according to the chain.
The burger definitely felt thicker than the original, even though it was less expensive than the last time I bought a Whopper.
When I ordered a Whopper with cheese on February 14, it cost $9.17, excluding tax, at my local Burger King in Brooklyn.
When I ordered the same burger on February 27, it cost $8.58, excluding tax, at the same location.
Burger King’s prices can vary by location and franchise. CNN reported that Burger King recommended that franchisees not raise prices for the new elevated Whopper.
The thicker, fluffier bun gave the burger more heft, but the biggest difference was how well it held together.
Unlike the original Whopper — which could turn soggy from its thinner mayonnaise and heavy condiments — this version was less saucy and stayed intact much better.
The new, creamier mayonnaise had more flavor, without making the burger a soggy mess. Combined with the still-flavorful flame-grilled burger patty, crunchy lettuce, and fresh tomato slices, this burger still remained my top pick among the most famous fast-food signature burgers.
I thought the burger was an improvement on the original Whopper without reinventing the wheel.
When updating a fast-food burger as iconic as the Whopper, there’s a risk in changing too much — longtime fans may not respond well if it strays too far from what they know and expect.
However, I thought this slightly upgraded version of the Whopper hit all the right notes, and as fast-food customers seek out value more than ever, this burger delivered on that promise, too.
It maintained the same flavor profile while addressing the burger’s biggest problem areas — flat, soggy buns and a slightly too high price point.
It’s still the same Whopper you know and love — just with a tune-up.
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