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'McWhopper' not to be, Wayback Burgers issues offer

Burger King’s marketing effort to create a 'McWhopper' aimed at generating awareness for Peace Day has been declined by McDonald's. Wayback Burgers, however, wants to partner with Burger King to raise money for UNICEF.

August 27, 2015

There will be no "McWhopper." McDonald’s has declined Burger King’s proposal to collaborate on a "McWhopper" for Peace Day.

The "McWhopper" would have combined elements of the chains’ "Big Mac" and "Whopper" burgers to create a new double-decker burger. On a website created by Burger King, it says it wants to serve the special burger for a single day at a popup location in Atlanta, a midway point between the headquarters of the two chains. McDonald’s headquarters is located in Oakbrook, Illinois, and Burger King in Miami.

Burger King’s marketing effort is aimed at generating awareness for Peace Day, which takes place on Sept. 21, and Peace One Day, a non-profit that supports the annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The United Nations created the International Day of Peace in 1981, to coincide with its annual opening session in September. It designated Sept. 21 as the annual "day of non-violence and cease-fire" in 2001.

"We come in peace,” read the ad that appeared in the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune on Aug. 26. “We know we’ve had our petty differences, but how about we call a cease-fire on these so-called ‘burger-wars’?"

McDonald’s didn’t bite. In an open letter to Burger King, McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook wrote:

"Dear Burger King,

"Inspiration for a good cause... great idea.

"We love the intention but think our two brands could do something bigger to make a difference.

"We commit to raise awareness worldwide, perhaps you’ll join us in a meaningful global effort?

"And every day, let's acknowledge that between us there is simply a friendly business competition and certainly not the unequaled circumstances of the real pain and suffering of war.

"We’ll be in touch.

"-Steve, McDonald’s CEO

"P.S. A simple phone call will do next time."

National burger chain Wayback Burgers, however, extended the hand of peace, while taking a jab at McDonald’s.

"Wayback Burgers would be happy to take Burger King up on its offer to partner to raise money for UNICEF surrounding International Day of Peace," Wayback Burgers President John Eucalitto said in a company statement. "Our nine patty burger, The Triple Triple, could be a great vehicle to work with. Perhaps we could create the Whiple Whiple. Besides, wouldn’t Burger King prefer to partner with a fresh and innovative brand that is on the rise? Either way, we hope to hear from you."