Did Burger King discontinue the Whopper after 40 years?

It seemed as though Burger King had decided to no longer offer their popular Whopper in a South Korean advertisement, but its return may be sooner than expected.

Burger King in South Korea announced on Monday, April 8 that Whoppers would no longer be available after Sunday, April 14, causing a frenzy among fast food lovers.

The 40th anniversary of Burger King’s iconic menu item was celebrated in April 2024, causing some fans to doubt the company’s announcement of the Whopper’s discontinuation.

“Meet the last Whopper until 4.14”

The advertisement announces the discontinuation of Whopper sales after 40 years and expresses gratitude to all those who have been loyal fans of the Whopper during this time.

This caused a frenzy among many burger enthusiasts, leaving some feeling let down while others were convinced it was simply a strategic marketing tactic.

In a subsequent announcement, the company reiterated that the decision to stop selling Whoppers was not a prank. However, they also revealed that they had exciting plans in store for the Whopper’s 40th anniversary, teasing a potential “revamp”of the iconic burger and teasing customers to look forward to various promotions.

Is Burger King planning to discontinue the Whopper?

Despite being Burger King’s top-selling item, it is highly improbable that The Whopper will ever be discontinued. Speculation among fans suggests that the fast food giant may introduce a revamped version of the popular burger in South Korea, but it is unlikely that American customers will have to bid farewell to their beloved menu item anytime soon.

The new and improved Whopper

Following a day without Whoppers, Burger King revealed on April 15th their plans for a “fire-flavored project”to enhance the beloved Whopper.

A burger King poster in korean — Burger King South Korea

“New Whopper, the King of fiery taste, has become more delicious after 40 years.”

The Whopper in South Korea has been upgraded with the addition of salt and pepper to enhance the umami flavor and meaty scent. Furthermore, the patty has been made thicker using the ‘tender form method’ to better distribute the meat and sauce. Additionally, the hamburger buns have been coated with a glaze to prevent moisture from evaporating.

Despite the changes made to the Whopper, customers can still purchase it at the same price as before. Additionally, South Korea Burger Kings are currently offering discounted prices for Bulgogi Whoppers and Cheese Whoppers.

Fortunately, the Whopper has not been discontinued, and the panic can subside. It seems that the announcement may have been a clever marketing strategy to remind fans to appreciate the burger before it potentially disappears in the future.

Could the US be getting a new Whopper?

In 2023, Burger King made a commitment to transform the company, placing emphasis on “Reviving America’s adoration for the Whopper.”

A Whopper ad from the US.

Tom Curtis, CNN reported, announced that as president of Burger King North America, he plans to focus on marketing strategies for the Whopper and improving the burger-making process in the kitchen.

While it may not guarantee a taste as delicious as the salt and pepper Whopper in South Korea, it could potentially suggest some improvements similar to those made by McDonald’s with their burgers.

Are you of the opinion that the Whopper stands out as the top burger option? Take a look at our comprehensive list of the best fast food burgers to see how it stacks up.