Editing Whopper (section)

==Product description==
The Whopper is a hamburger consisting of a flame-[[grilling|grilled]] {{convert|4|oz|g|abbr=on}} beef patty, sesame seed bun, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and sliced onion. Optional ingredients such as [[American cheese]], [[bacon]], [[mustard (condiment)|mustard]], [[guacamole]] or [[jalapeño]] peppers may be added upon request (with optional additions varying depending on region and availability). Regional and international condiments include [[BBQ sauce]] and [[salsa (sauce)|salsa]]. Burger King will also add any condiment it sells upon request, as per its long-standing slogan "Have It Your Way".<ref name=History-NRN>{{cite web |last=Dostal |first=Erin |title=The history of Burger King's Whopper |url=http://nrn.com/latest-headlines/history-burger-kings-whopper |work=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=13 December 2012 |type=subscription required |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111193150/http://nrn.com/latest-headlines/history-burger-kings-whopper |url-status=live }}</ref> It is available with one, two or three beef patties and in a smaller version called the Whopper Jr, or without meat in a version called the Veggie Whopper. The Australian franchise of Burger King, Hungry Jack's, sells its [[veggie burger]] sandwich as the Veggie Whopper.<ref name="CT-Veggie Whopper">{{cite web |title=Veg claim shown to be a whopper |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/veg-claim-shown-to-be-a-whopper-20111105-1v1zs.html |work=The Canberra Times |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=5 November 2011 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301135818/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/veg-claim-shown-to-be-a-whopper-20111105-1v1zs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Burger King has sold several different promotional varieties throughout the years as limited-time offerings (LTO).<ref name=History-NRN/> With the addition of [[hot dog]]s to the company's menu in February 2016,<ref name="AdAge-Hot dogs">{{cite web |last1=Madov |first1=Natasha |title=Burger King Adds the 'Whopper of Hot Dogs' to Menu |url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-hot-dog-king-fast-food-chain-announces-addition-menu/302632/ |publisher=Advertising Age |access-date=6 May 2016 |date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=19 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419205134/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-hot-dog-king-fast-food-chain-announces-addition-menu/302632/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Burger King began testing its first major variant called the Whopper Dog in May of the same year across various regions within the United States. The new dog featured a grilled [[Oscar Mayer]] hot dog with all of the ingredients featured on the Whopper sandwich.<ref name="AdAge-Hot dogs"/><ref name="Consumerist-Whopper Dog">{{cite web |last1=Northrup |first1=Laura |title=Burger King Testing Unholy Hybrid: Whopper Dog |url=https://consumerist.com/2016/05/05/burger-king-testing-unholy-hybrid-whopper-dog/ |publisher=The Consumerist |access-date=6 May 2016 |date=5 May 2016 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730234941/https://consumerist.com/2016/05/05/burger-king-testing-unholy-hybrid-whopper-dog/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2020, Burger King accounted that it would remove artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors from the Whopper by the end of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lucas |first1=Amelia |title=Burger King is cutting artificial preservatives and it created a gross new ad to show it off |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/burger-king-is-removing-artificial-additives-from-the-whopper.html |website=CNBC |access-date=February 19, 2020 |language=en |date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104082147/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/19/burger-king-is-removing-artificial-additives-from-the-whopper.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are localized versions of the Whopper in several of its international operations, such as the teriyaki Whopper in Japan or the LTO Canadian Whopper.<ref name=JT-Whopper>{{cite web |last=Shimizu |first=Kaho |title=Burger King stages return under new management, realities |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/06/07/news/burger-king-stages-return-under-new-management-realities/#.Unq1TOJbJTg |work=Japan Times |access-date=6 November 2013 |date=7 June 2007 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111194709/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/06/07/news/burger-king-stages-return-under-new-management-realities/#.Unq1TOJbJTg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=QSRM-International>{{cite web |last=Chancey |first=Blair |title=King, Meet the World |url=http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/interview/112/shaufelberger-1.phtml |work=QSR Magazine |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305233036/http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/interview/112/shaufelberger-1.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Canadian Whopper"/> Following its entry in [[India]], to accommodate cultural taboos of India related to beef, the chain has eliminated beef Whopper from its menu and instead introduced mutton Whopper, veggie Whopper, and the chicken Whopper.<ref name=WSJ-Rana>{{cite news |last1=Rana |first1=Preetika |title=Burger King Brings Beef-Free Whoppers to India |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/10/30/burger-king-brings-beef-free-whoppers-to-india-2/ |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=8 November 2014 |date=30 October 2014 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926022806/https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/10/30/burger-king-brings-beef-free-whoppers-to-india-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Variants ===
[[File:Impossible Whopper 1.jpg|thumb|Impossible Whopper]]
The '''{{vanchor|[[Impossible Whopper]]}}''' is a 100% vegetarian burger with a patty manufactured by [[Impossible Foods]] of [[Oakland, California]]. Burger King began test marketing the Impossible Whopper in April 2019 at locations in and around [[St. Louis, Missouri]].<ref name="CNBC-Imp">{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/01/burger-king-is-testing-a-vegetarian-whopper-made-with-impossible-burger.html |title=Burger King is testing vegetarian Whopper made with Impossible Burger |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=1 April 2019 |access-date=1 April 2019 |work=[[CNBC]] |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212045223/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/01/burger-king-is-testing-a-vegetarian-whopper-made-with-impossible-burger.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was accompanied with an [[April Fools]]-themed promotional video on April 1, 2019.<ref name="CNBC-Imp"/> Later that month, the company announced plans to roll out Impossible Whoppers nationwide before the end of the year.<ref name="MSNBC-Imp">{{Cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/burger-king-plans-to-release-plant-based-impossible-whopper-nationwide-by-end-of-year/ar-BBWoJmO?OCID=ansmsnnews11 |title=Burger King plans to release plant-based Impossible Whopper nationwide by end of year |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |work=[[MSNBC]] |date=29 April 2019 |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-date=14 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914011322/https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/burger-king-plans-to-release-plant-based-impossible-whopper-nationwide-by-end-of-year/ar-BBWoJmO?OCID=ansmsnnews11 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August, it was made available nationwide.<ref name="Fox-Imp">{{cite news |title=Impossible Burger prank becomes Burger King feeding frenzy |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/impossible-burger-prank-becomes-burger-king-feeding-frenzy |last=Limitone |first=Julia |work=[[FOX Business]] |access-date=3 September 2019 |date=23 August 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208145630/https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/impossible-burger-prank-becomes-burger-king-feeding-frenzy |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Windows 7 Whopper - Burger King.jpg|left|thumb |The Windows 7 Whopper]]
The '''{{vanchor|Windows 7 Whopper}}''' was sold in Japan for the promotion of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows 7]] operating system. The hamburger contained seven stacked beef patties and measured {{convert|5|in|cm|abbr=on}} high, weighed almost {{convert|2.2|lbs|kg|abbr=on}}, and had more than {{convert|1000|kcal|kJ|abbr=on}}. It was originally planned to be available for only seven days starting on 22 October 2009.<ref name="Fox-Win7 Whopper">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/big-in-japan-burger-king-sells-windows-7-whopper |title=Big in Japan: Burger King Sells Windows 7 Whopper |date=23 October 2009 |access-date=3 November 2009 |work=Fox News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026144322/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569268,00.html?test=latestnews |archive-date=26 October 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to its success in selling 6,000 sandwiches within the first four days, Burger King decided to extend the promotion period an extra nine days, ending on 6 November.<ref name="Fox-Win7 Whopper"/><ref name="Time-Win7 Whopper">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1933387,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103082945/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1933387,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2009 |title=Burger King Gives Japan a Seven-Patty Challenge |access-date=3 November 2009 |date=31 October 2009 |magazine=TIME}}</ref> The campaign was met with unexpected popularity in Japan, sparking multiple YouTube videos and blog posts about the burger.<ref name="Time-Win7 Whopper" />

The '''{{vanchor|Pizza Burger}}''' is a burger sold exclusively at the [[BK Whopper Bar]] location in [[Times Square]], New York City, that was introduced in September 2010. It consists of four Whopper patties on a 9.5&nbsp;inch sesame bun,<ref name="SN">{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Strange-News/Pizza-Burger-Burger-King-To-Introduce-The-2500-Calorie-Pizza-Burger-In-New-York-In-September/Article/201008415704796 |title=The Pizza Burger: A 2,500-Calorie 'Fat Bomb' |work=[[Sky News]] |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827160810/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Strange-News/Pizza-Burger-Burger-King-To-Introduce-The-2500-Calorie-Pizza-Burger-In-New-York-In-September/Article/201008415704796 |archive-date=27 August 2010 }}</ref> sliced into six pieces and topped with [[pepperoni]], [[mozzarella]], basil [[pesto]] and [[marinara sauce]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7959380/Burger-King-introduces-the-2500-Pizza-Burger.html |title=Burger King introduces the 2500 Pizza Burger |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030041/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7959380/Burger-King-introduces-the-2500-Pizza-Burger.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The whole burger contains more than the recommended daily allowance of calories for men at 2,520 calories, with 144&nbsp;grams of fat, 59g of which is saturated, and 3,780&nbsp;mg of sodium, more than double the recommended daily allowance for adults.<ref name="SN"/> However, according to Burger King's Vice President of global marketing, John Schaufelberger, the burger is not intended to feed just one person.<ref name="NRN-Pizza burger">{{cite web |last=Thorn |first=Bret |title=BK to offer shareable Pizza Burger |url=http://www.nrn.com/article/bk-offer-shareable-pizza-burger |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011 |type=subscription required |archive-date=8 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108105716/http://nrn.com/article/bk-offer-shareable-pizza-burger |url-status=live }}</ref> Each slice has 420 calories, 24&nbsp;g fat (10&nbsp;g saturated), and 630&nbsp;mg sodium.

The '''{{vanchor|Angry Whopper}}''' has jalapeños, "Angry Sauce" and "Angry Onions", [[pepper jack cheese]] and bacon.<ref name=iht>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/27/business/NA-FIN-COM-US-Burger-King-Outlook.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506202216/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/27/business/NA-FIN-COM-US-Burger-King-Outlook.php |archive-date=6 May 2008 |title=Burger King discusses new items for 2008, growth strategies |agency=Associated Press |work=the International Herald Tribune |date=27 February 2008 |access-date=1 March 2008 |quote=The new items discussed Wednesday include an Angry Bacon and Cheese Whopper with spicy, crispy onions, and the Indy Whopper, which will have bacon and pepper jack cheese and will be promoted together with the new Indiana Jones movie this summer.}}</ref><ref name="NPR-Angry Whopper">{{cite web |last=Chillag |first=Ian |title=Sandwich Monday: The Angry Whopper |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/11/05/164345842/sandwich-monday-the-angry-whopper |work=NPR |access-date=12 November 2013 |date=5 November 2012 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112100502/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/11/05/164345842/sandwich-monday-the-angry-whopper |url-status=live }}</ref> Originally released in Europe, the sandwich made its way to the United States in 2008. A variation called the '''Angriest Whopper''' debuted in 2016; The new variant added a red bun with hot pepper sauce baked into the roll.<ref name="AdAge-Angriest">{{cite web |last1=Whol |first1=Jessica |title=Burger King Seeing Red With Angriest Whopper |url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-king-angrier-red-bun-whopper/303294/ |work=Advertising Age |access-date=6 May 2016 |date=29 March 2016 |archive-date=19 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519104521/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/burger-king-angrier-red-bun-whopper/303294/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Angriest Whopper followed a similar sandwich, the '''A1 Halloween Whopper''' released for [[Halloween]] 2015, which was prepared with [[Food coloring|black-colored]], [[Smoking (cooking)|smoke-flavored]] buns.<ref name="NPR-Angry Whopper"/> The Angry Whopper was released with a [[viral marketing]] push created by Burger King's advertising agency at the time, [[Crispin Porter + Bogusky]]. The two tiered program, designed to create a [[word-of-mouth]] marketing push, featured a webpage that allowed consumers to create an "Angry-gram" that could be emailed to other individuals. The [[form letter]] format page would send an insulting email to a recipient of choice from the sender. The second part consisted of a Facebook-oriented program where the company would issue a coupon for a free sandwich if the consumer would de-friend 10 people on their Facebook page.<ref name=Terrazas>{{cite web |last=Terrazas |first=Brent |title=Burger King's Angry Whopper & Facebook Debauchery |url=http://www.brentter.com/burger-kings-angry-whopper-facebook-debauchery/ |work=Brentter.com |date=9 January 2009 |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723092454/http://www.brentter.com/burger-kings-angry-whopper-facebook-debauchery/ |archive-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Angriest Whopper was pitched using advertising similar to trailers for movie sequels, with a movie trailer-style opening screen, shots of lava, a helicopter and flames. The tag line for the ad was "''The only way to handle the heat is to embrace it.''"<ref name="NPR-Angry Whopper"/>

The '''{{vanchor|BK 1/4&nbsp;lb Burger}}''' was a direct competitor to the [[Quarter Pounder]] sandwich from McDonald's. It consisted of a Whopper with only ketchup, mustard, pickle and onions.<ref name="QSRM-3 tastes">{{cite web|title=Three new tastes at Burger King|url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/three-new-tastes-burger-king|work=QSR Magazine|access-date=25 May 2014|date=26 December 2001|archive-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525214216/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/three-new-tastes-burger-king|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Whopperito]] is a burrito containing all the ingredients of the Whopper except ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard, which are replaced with [[queso sauce]]. It was first introduced at select locations in [[Pennsylvania]] in June 2016, and was rolled out throughout the United States the following August.<ref name=newsweek>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/burger-king-whopper-burrito-488487 |title=Burger King's New Whopperito Is as Disgusting as It Looks |last=Bort |first=Ryan |website=Newsweek |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=16 April 2017 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928123425/https://www.newsweek.com/burger-king-whopper-burrito-488487 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://consumerist.com/2016/08/08/this-is-no-longer-a-test-burger-kings-whopperito-going-national-later-this-month/ |title=This Is No Longer A Test: Burger King's "Whopperito" Going National Later This Month |last=Kieler |first=Ashlee |website=Consumerist |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=16 April 2017 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108100020/https://consumerist.com/2016/08/08/this-is-no-longer-a-test-burger-kings-whopperito-going-national-later-this-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Philippines}}In the [[Philippines]], notable variants of the Whopper include the '''{{vanchor|3-Meat Whopper}}''', which contains three different kinds of meat – [[bacon]], [[pepperoni]] and the [[beef patty]] itself<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/burgerkingph/status/461417348465840128 |title=Pay day is 3-Meat Whopper day!pic.twitter.com/8QqYQE8aNr |first=Burger King |last=Phils |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328231943/https://twitter.com/burgerkingph/status/461417348465840128 |url-status=live }}</ref> – as well as another variant, the '''Meat Beast Whopper,''' which included [[ham]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/a.118272199105.97509.107720949105/10154491315734106/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10154491315734106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the '''4-Cheese Whopper''', which contains four different types of cheese: [[Swiss cheese (North America)|Swiss]], [[American cheese|American]], [[mozzarella]] and [[Cheez Whiz|cheese sauce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/a.10152420717234106.1073741855.107720949105/10152420717484106/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10152420717484106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> For a limited time, the '''Bacon 4-Cheese Whopper''' and '''Cheetos 4-Cheese Crunch'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/a.118272199105.97509.107720949105/10155577136439106/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10155577136439106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines |website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref> were made available, which included bacon and [[Cheetos]], respectively. The Angry Whopper was made available in 2015 and again in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/burgerkingph/photos/the-angry-whopper-looks-hot-but-it-tastes-even-hotter-when-angerstrikes-run-to-b/10153672937824106/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/107720949105/10153672937824106 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Burger King Philippines|website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In October 2019, Hungry Jack's in Australia introduced the '''Rebel Whopper''' which contains a [[Meat analogue|meat-free]] patty made from protein extracted from [[legume]]s, created in partnership with Australian company [[v2food]]. Burger King in New Zealand introduced the Rebel Whopper to their range in January 2020.<ref name=smart>{{cite news|last=Palmer-Derrien|first=Stephanie|date=2020-11-05|title=From the Rebel Whopper to global domination: A year in the life of plant-based meat startup v2food|url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/analysis/v2food-plant-based-meat-startup-timeline/|work=SmartCompany|access-date=2021-08-09|archive-date=2021-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727053829/https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/analysis/v2food-plant-based-meat-startup-timeline/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was introduced to the Philippines as the '''Plant-Based Whopper''' in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/17/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-now-available-and-heres-what-filipino-diners-have-to-say/|title=Burger King's Plant-Based Whopper is now available and here's what Filipino diners have to say|date=November 17, 2020|website=Manila Bulletin|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117101857/https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/17/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-now-available-and-heres-what-filipino-diners-have-to-say/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fnbreport.ph/news/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-in-the-philippines-mariansp-20201116/|title=Burger King's plant-based Whopper is now in the Philippines|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203233941/http://fnbreport.ph/news/burger-kings-plant-based-whopper-is-in-the-philippines-mariansp-20201116/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2020, it was made available in [[Japan]] for a limited time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soranews24.com/2020/12/10/burger-king-releases-new-plant-based-whopper-in-japan/|title=Burger King releases new Plant-Based Whopper in Japan|date=December 10, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212130031/https://soranews24.com/2020/12/10/burger-king-releases-new-plant-based-whopper-in-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref> That same month, the Plant-Based Whopper was introduced by Burger King outlets in China but with a patty made by UK company [[The Vegetarian Butcher]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ho|first=Sally|date=2021-01-14|title=Burger King Launches Plant-Based Whoppers Across Asia With v2food & The Vegetarian Butcher|url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/burger-king-launches-plant-based-whoppers-across-asia-with-v2food-the-vegetarian-butcher/|work=Green Queen|access-date=2021-08-09|archive-date=2021-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809043717/https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/burger-king-launches-plant-based-whoppers-across-asia-with-v2food-the-vegetarian-butcher/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Discontinued variants ===
{{see also |Burger King grilled chicken sandwiches}}
As part of the 45th anniversary of the Whopper sandwich in 2002, Burger King introduced a grilled chicken version of the sandwich called the Chicken Whopper and added a smaller Chicken Whopper Jr. sandwich along with a new Caesar salad sandwich topped with a Chicken Whopper patty.<ref>{{cite web |editor=Allen, Robin Lee |url=http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-84019673/crown-jewels-new-marketing-product-rollouts-energize |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109013843/http://business.highbeam.com/409700/article-1G1-84019673/crown-jewels-new-marketing-product-rollouts-energize |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2013 |title=Crown jewels: New marketing, product rollouts energize BK journey back to fast-food royalty |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=18 March 2002 |type=subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Burger King Corporation |url=http://www.bison.com/press_burgerking_05232002 |title=Burger King Sells 40 Millionth Chicken Whopper |date=23 May 2003 |type=subscription required |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528101232/http://www.bison.com/press_burgerking_05232002 |archive-date=28 May 2009 }}</ref><ref name=CT-Chicken>{{cite news |last=Rector |first=Sylvia |title=Chicken rules fast-food roost |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/11/06/chicken-rules-fast-food-roost/ |access-date=23 September 2011 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=6 November 2002 |agency=Knight Ridder/Tribune |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007120202/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-11-06/entertainment/0211060202_1_menu-board-national-chicken-council-panera-bread |url-status=live }}</ref> The introduction of the Chicken Whopper represented the company's first move to extend the Whopper brand name beyond beef based sandwiches since the original Whopper's introduction in the 1950s.<ref name="AB-Carrols">{{cite web |title=Carrols: Chicken Whopper Is A Bust |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/eating-drinking-places/4274163-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819184513/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/eating-drinking-places/4274163-1.html |archive-date=19 August 2007 |work=All Business |publisher=Dun & Bradstreet |access-date=23 September 2011 |date=March 2003}}</ref> The sandwiches featured a whole chicken breast filet, weighing either {{convert |4.7 |oz |g |abbr=on}} for the larger sandwich or a {{convert |3.1 |oz |g |abbr=on}} for the Jr., mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato on a sesame seed roll.<ref name="HC-Chick Whopper">{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Ken |title=Chicken sandwich grows up to be a Whopper |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2002_3535763/chicken-sandwich-grows-up-to-be-a-whopper.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022042827/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2002_3535763/chicken-sandwich-grows-up-to-be-a-whopper.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=23 September 2011 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=12 April 2002 |page=5}}</ref> A newly reformulated low fat mayonnaise was introduced in conjunction with the new sandwiches.<ref name="BW-Sales">{{cite news|last=Wahlgren |first=Eric |title=Burger Makers' Not-So-Meaty Prospects |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf2002049_3504.htm |access-date=24 September 2011 |work=Business Week |date=9 April 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130021015/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf2002049_3504.htm |archive-date=30 November 2011 }}</ref> Along with the company's new [[BK Veggie]] sandwich, The Chicken Whopper Jr. version of the sandwich was lauded by the [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] (CSPI) as being one of the best nutritionally sound products sold by a fast food chain. Conversely, the CSPI decried the rest of the Burger King menu as being vastly unhealthy.<ref>{{cite press release|title=CSPI Picks the Best and Worst Fast Foods |url=http://www.cspinet.org/new/200208211_print.html |publisher=Center for Science in the Public Interest |access-date=24 September 2011 |date=21 August 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322210547/http://www.cspinet.org/new/200208211_print.html |archive-date=22 March 2012 }}</ref>

Development of the sandwich began in 2001 in response to several major factors.<ref name="CT-Chicken"/><ref name="USAT-Chick Whopper">{{cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=Fast-food giants always trying new tastes |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/07/03/fast-food.htm |access-date=24 September 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |date=3 July 2007 |archive-date=19 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219234342/http://www.usatoday.com/money/general/2002/07/03/fast-food.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After an overall sales decline of 17% coupled with a profit decline of 29%, Burger King held a series of consumer tests that showed the company's customer base was looking for a wider variety of options when making purchases.<ref name=CT-Chicken/><ref name="BW-Sales"/> Additional survey results revealed that a lack of newer products was discouraging consumers from visiting the chain.<ref name="USAT-Chick Whopper"/> Furthermore, the company was seeking to counter the threat to its sales by newer [[fast casual restaurant]]s that had begun to bite into sales.<ref name=CT-Chicken/> By July 2002, the chain had sold nearly fifty million of the sandwiches, eventually displacing the BK Broiler's initial launch figures as the company's best selling product introduction.<ref name="USAT-Chick Whopper" /><ref name="QSR-Chick Whopper">{{cite press release|title=50 Millionth Chicken Whopper Sandwich Will Be Sold Today |url=http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-01-2002/0001756551&EDATE= |publisher=Burger King Corporation |access-date=23 September 2011 |date=1 July 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516003441/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F07-01-2002%2F0001756551&EDATE= |archive-date=16 May 2012 }}</ref> The successful introduction of the Chicken Whopper was one of the few noted positive highlights of the company during negotiations for the sale of Burger King by its then owner [[Diageo]] to a group of investors led by the [[TPG Capital]]; Chicago-based consulting firm Technomic Inc. President Ron Paul was quoted that he was encouraged by recent product changes at Burger King such as the new Chicken Whopper, but he said it was too early to tell whether the changes have been successful.<ref name="SFC-BK sale">{{cite news |last=Colliver |first=Victoria |title=Whopper of a Deal |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Whopper-of-a-deal-S-F-s-Texas-Pacific-Group-2791107.php2 |access-date=24 September 2011 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=26 July 2002 |page=2 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112184216/http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Whopper-of-a-deal-S-F-s-Texas-Pacific-Group-2791107.php2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the Chicken Whopper's initial success, just over a year after its introduction, enthusiasm for the product was waning; Burger King's largest franchisee, [[Carrols Corporation]], was complaining that the product line was a failure, describing the sandwich as a pedestrian product with a great name.<ref name="AB-Carrols"/>