Burger King’s Whopper sandwich has been around for 55 years, making it one of the longest lasting menu items in quick-service restaurant history.
To celebrate the Whopper’s anniversary, Burger King offered the sandwich for 55 cents each from Dec. 6 through Dec. 9. The company declined to state exactly how many burgers it had sold during the first 55-cent promotion, but the deal did so well that the company is rerunning it today through Sunday.
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The secret to the Whopper’s success has been its consistency, said Eric Hirschhor, vice president of market intelligence and global innovation at the Miami-based company, which has more than 7,200 U.S. locations. Although the burger has undergone several iterations, the use of ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce and a toasted sesame-seed bun hasn’t changed.
“Over its 55 years, we’ve kept the core of the Whopper sandwich the same, never deviating from the great-tasting sandwich that our guests have loved,” he said in an email.
The Whopper has seen a number of inventive iterations over the years, including the spicy Angry Whopper, and has also seen simple tweaks, such as with the Bacon Whopper.
“The Whopper is always a focus for our innovation team, who looks ahead to what’s coming, experiments with flavorful combinations and follows current trends to produce delicious limited-time offerings,” Hirschhor said.
The result? A simple burger with a varied, colorful past. Here’s a look at the history of Whopper innovations:
1991: Bacon Whopper is introduced.
Key Elements: Bacon.
1996: Western Whopper
Key Elements: BBQ sauce, Cheddar or American cheese, and bacon. Was also available with double or triple beef.
1998: Fiesta Whopper
Key Elements: Pepper jack cheese, no pickles, and a spicy sauce instead of ketchup.
2001: “Xtreme” Bacon & Cheese Whopper
Key Elements: Two slices each Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, and four strips of bacon.
2004: Whopper Sandwich Platter
Key Elements: No bun. Intended for carb-conscious consumers.
2005: King Kong Whopper
Key Elements: Launched alongside the King Kong movie release in the U.S. Includes three beef patties.
2006: Texas Double Whopper
Key Elements: Jalapeño peppers, bacon, and mustard instead of ketchup. Served year round in Texas.
2007: Ultimate Double Whopper
Key Elements: Two beef patties, American cheese, and eight strips of bacon.
2009: Angry Whopper
Key Elements: Melted habanero cheese, hardwood-smoked bacon, fresh jalapeno slices, and layered spicy onion petals. Topped with Angry sauce.
2011: California Whopper
Key Elements: Swiss cheese, guacamole and thick-cut hardwood smoked bacon.
2012: Carolina BBQ Whopper
Key Elements: Pepper Jack cheese, hardwood-smoked bacon, and Bull’s-Eye Carolina Style BBQ sauce.
2012: Texas BBQ Whopper
Key Elements: Bull’s-Eye Texas-Style BBQ sauce, American cheese, and jalapeño slices.
2012: Wisconsin White Cheddar Whopper
Key Elements: Wisconsin white Cheddar and thick-cut hardwood smoked bacon.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: December 14, 2012 An earlier version of this story misstated the number of Burger King's locations. The chain has more than 7,200 U.S. units.
Contact Erin Dostal at erin.dostal@penton.com.
Follow her on Twitter: @erindostal