Burger King

Burger King is an American multinational hamburger fast food chain, founded in 1953 in Jacksonville, Florida (originally as Insta-Burger King). It is the second-largest hamburger chain globally with approximately 19,000 locations in 100+ countries. Burger King is owned by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which also owns Tim Hortons and Popeyes. The Whopper (introduced 1957) — a quarter-pound beef patty flame-grilled and topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup, pickles, and onion — is Burger King's signature product and a genuine competitor to the Big Mac. Key differentiators: flame-grilling (not flat-top griddle like McDonald's), larger portion sizes at comparable prices, the Impossible Whopper (plant-based since 2019), and Have It Your Way customization. BK generates approximately $2 billion in system revenue. The chain has struggled with inconsistent quality and service speeds compared to McDonald's, leading to franchisee and customer complaints.