Burger King Updates Whopper After a Decade: What's Changed?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Burger King, one of the world's largest fast-food chains, has made another splash by announcing a significant update to its iconic Whopper menu item.

This change, the first of its kind in nearly a decade, began rolling out in February 2026 at more than 7,000 locations across the United States.

The update includes improvements to the bun, mayonnaise, and packaging, which now uses a clamshell box.

The decision to make this change was based on direct feedback from consumers and franchisees

This initiative is expected to attract more customers and increase loyalty to their flagship product.

Tom Curtis, President of Burger King U.S. & Canada, emphasized that the primary goal of this update is to provide a better Whopper experience to its customers.

One of the main improvements to the latest Whopper is its bun.

Burger King now uses a bun that it claims is "more premium and tastier," designed with sesame seeds that hold together thanks to a special glaze to ensuring a neater and more attractive appearance.

Furthermore, the size of the bun pan has also been changed to provide more volume, making the bun feel more substantial and prevent the bun from becoming soggy.

In addition to the bun, the Whopper mayonnaise has also undergone an "upgrade," described as thicker and has a fresh citrus flavor, adding a richer dimension to the flavor.

To address customer complaints about burgers often arriving "crushed" or broken, Burger King has introduced new packaging.

The Whopper is now served in a clamshell box, replacing the traditional, damage-prone paper wrapper, to protect the burger during delivery or takeout.

The clamshell box not only serves as a physical barrier but also ensures more efficient heat transfer from the kitchen, keeps the Whopper intact and warm when it reaches the customer.

Despite significant changes to the bun, mayonnaise, and packaging, Burger King insists that the core of the Whopper remains the same.

The 100% flame-grilled quarter-pound beef patty remains unchanged.

Likewise, other fresh ingredients like chopped onions, tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and pickles remain in generous portions.

The motivation behind this Whopper update is Burger King's desire to be a "consumer-led" brand by actively listens to direct customer feedback, an approach also evident in the "Whopper by You" initiative launched in July 2025.

The initiative invited customers to submit ideas for burger variations.

Tom Curtis explained that this change is an effort to enhance the Whopper experience without "reinventing" the burger itself. The focus is on refining key elements that can significantly impact customer satisfaction.

While this upgrade is expected to add approximately $4,000 in annual costs to each Burger King franchisee, the company suggests this additional cost will not be passed on to customers.