Chili’s has spent the past two years challenging fast-food chains like McDonald’s with look-alike chicken sandwiches and burgers.
In 2024, Chili’s introduced the Big Smasher, a burger inspired by McDonald’s Big Mac, claiming it offered twice the meat, and added it to the chain’s 3-For-Me menu, which starts at $10.99.
Then, in 2025, Chili’s released the Big QP, a burger modeled after McDonald’s Quarter Pounder that features similar toppings but a significantly larger beef patty.
Finally, earlier this year, it updated its lineup of chicken sandwiches in a direct hit on McDonald’s McCrispy sandwich.
The strategy seems to be paying off. In April, Chili’s parent company, Brinker International, reported that Chili’s had posted its 20th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, with comparable sales up 4% year over year. The chain attributed much of that success to menu innovation and a focus on “everyday value,” including the 3-For-Me menu.
This week, we’ll see if that momentum has continued. Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, will report its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter earnings on August 12.
I tried Chili’s Big QP burger to see how it measured up against a fast-food reliable like the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. Here’s how the two burgers compared.
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with cheese is one of the chain’s most popular burgers.
The signature burger was first introduced in 1971 by franchise owner Al Bernadin in Fremont, California, to satisfy customers seeking a larger burger than the original hamburger or cheeseburger.
The Quarter Pounder lineup now includes the classic Quarter Pounder with cheese, the Double Quarter Pounder, and the Bacon Quarter Pounder.
I ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese at my local McDonald’s in Brooklyn, New York. It cost $7.69, excluding tax, but also comes as a medium-sized meal with fries and a drink for $14.09.
The Quarter Pounder came with a quarter-pound beef patty, two slices of American cheese, onions, dill pickles, ketchup, and mustard.
The toppings were placed in the center of the burger rather than evenly spread out, although preparation likely depends on factors such as the individual employee and the location.
The burger lived up to its reputation, but I think it could have been slightly improved.
Although the Quarter Pounder is marketed as a heartier burger, the patty felt relatively thin, especially compared to other cheeseburgers on the market, and it was cooked just past the point where it would retain its juiciness.
The toppings, including the onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard, were concentrated in the middle, creating an uneven eating experience, with some bites flavorful and tangy while others lacked the balance of meat, cheese, and condiments.
Overall, this was an enjoyable burger but not a consistent one.
Chili’s launched its Big QP burger last year as its take on the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.
The Big QP closely resembles McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, from its name to its ingredient list.
Both burgers feature a single beef patty topped with two slices of American cheese, diced onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. The biggest distinction is size: Chili’s says the Big QP contains 85% more beef than the Quarter Pounder, making it a noticeably heartier burger.
The burger is available as part of the 3-For-Me deal for $10.99, or on its own for $14.99. The 3-For-Me meal also comes with an appetizer like bottomless chips and salsa, fries, and a bottomless drink.
The burger also featured classic toppings, although the execution was different.
Right away, I noticed a few key differences between the two burgers.
The Chili’s burger came with two slices of American cheese, with the burger patty placed between them, three pickle slices instead of two, and diced red onion instead of slivered white onions.
The flavor profiles were similar, but I preferred Chili’s bigger, juicier burger.
The Big QP immediately felt like a more substantial version of McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.
While the two burgers share a nearly identical combination of American cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard, Chili’s larger patty made a noticeable difference.
It was thick, juicy, and well-seasoned, giving the burger a richer, beefier flavor than the Quarter Pounder. The familiar toppings delivered the same tangy, savory profile, but the sharper red onions and softer brioche bun elevated the overall experience.
As someone who regularly orders a Quarter Pounder at McDonald’s, I was struck by just how familiar the Big QP was to the fast-food classic.
I normally wouldn’t expect a sit-down chain to edge out a fast-food rival, especially for one of its best-known items. However, while the Big QP costs significantly more than a Quarter Pounder if you order each burger separately, Chili’s $10.99 3-For-Me deal — which includes an appetizer, fries, and a drink — makes it the stronger value overall and the burger I would choose in a heartbeat.
Read the original article on Business Insider
The post I compared Chili’s Big QP cheeseburger and McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. One was a better value. appeared first on Business Insider.
