Burger King recently hosted a new Million Dollar Whopper content where fans across the US market had the opportunity to create their dream burger. This gave them a chance to win $1 million and a spot on the chain's menu -- this garnered in millions of submissions. Now, the chain has announced its top three Whopper selections kicking off with the Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper by Fabian in California. It has a tangy palette with pickle ranch, Swiss Cheese, and the crispiness of a fried pickle.
Calvin from California dreams up the Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper with a sweet and savory blend and crispy onions and jalapenos. Kelsie from Nebraska creates the Mexican Street Corn Whopper with a corn spread, spicy queso, and seasoned tortilla crisps. Chief Marketing Officer of Burger King North America, Pat O'Toole explains, "The Million Dollar Whopper Contest was all about taking ‘Have It Your Way’ to the next level, and we were blown away by the thought and creativity that went into the Whopper creations that were submitted. Selecting just three finalists was no easy task, but we're confident Guests will love these creative delicious takes on the iconic Whopper sandwich, and can't wait for them to be available in restaurants this fall."
Competition-Born Burger Inventions
Burger King Unveils 3 Whoopers Invented by Fans
Trend Themes
1. Fan-created Menu Items - Involving customers in product development fosters brand loyalty and introduces unexpected, innovative flavors into the traditional fast-food menu.
2. Crowdsourced Culinary Creations - Empowering the public to design menu items can lead to viral marketing success and a deeper emotional connection between the consumer and the brand.
3. Localized Taste Innovations - Incorporating regional flavors and preferences into a product lineup leverages local culinary trends and enriches the menu with diverse taste experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - The fast food industry can benefit from crowdsourced menu concepts, creating buzz and driving sales with unique and customizable offerings.
2. Food Marketing - Innovative contest-based marketing strategies can enhance customer engagement and generate extensive publicity for food brands.
3. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - The CPG industry could adopt fan-driven product development to align new product launches more closely with consumer preferences.