In the name of global peace, Burger King has proposed making the hybrid hamburger with its rival McDonald’s on the United Nations-promoted International Day of Peace on September 21. Burger King, perpetually locked in tough competition with the larger, but less profitable McDonald’s, delivered the olive branch via a full-page advertisement in The New York Times on Wednesday, saying it is time to “call a ceasefire on these so-called burger wars”. Burger King said joining h
ands to make a combined version of its menu-topping Whopper burger and McDonald’s icon, the Big Mac, would be a “powerful rallying call” in support of Peace One Day.
The United Nations has promoted September 21 as a global Peace Day since 1981, and Burger King said its move was part of a campaign by an activist coalition, Peace One Day, to make it a day of ceasefire, non-violence and global unity.
“They have a powerful rallying call, ‘Who will you make peace with?’, which has inspired us to lead by example and extend an olive branch of our own,” Burger King said in the ad.
It said the McWhopper would be developed and cooked together, though in only one location, with the proceeds benefiting Peace One Day.
“Let’s end the beef, with beef,” it added.
McDonald’s, in a Facebook reply, called the proposal a “great idea” but did not immediately agree. Instead, it said the two brands “could do something bigger to make a difference” while saying that the “friendly business competition” between the two is not the same as “the real pain and suffering of war”.
Inspiration for a good cause @burgerking. Let’s do something to make a real difference. http://t.co/JjycHwwD5B
— McDonald’s (@McDonaldsCorp) August 26, 2015
AFP
