Burger King Says There’s One Big Reason It’s Winning Back Customers — And It’s a Whopper

Same-store sales jumped 8.5% last quarter, just as arch rival McDonald’s admits its own sales growth has stalled. By Jonathan Small | edited by Dan Bova | Aug 07, 2026 Burger King‘s domestic same-store sales rose 8.5% for the three months ending June 30, according to the Wall Street Journal. The secret sauce? The Whopper. Earlier this year, Burger King reworked its signature burger’s ingredients and even its box. “A lot of people are saying they’re coming back for the first time in a long time,” said Tom Curtis, president of the chain’s US and Canada business. Curtis said Burger King is picking up market share, and believes some of it is coming directly from McDonald’s, which has struggled with declining traffic after recent promotions and marketing missed the mark. With the Whopper fixed, Curtis said hospitality is next. Burger King is still fielding direct customer calls on his own phone several times a week, and in July began guaranteeing Whopper quality, promising to remake unsatisfactory orders on the spot or hand out a free one later. “I have a strong belief that we will ultimately someday be the standout burger chain in hospitality and friendliness,” Curtis said. Jonathan Small is a bestselling author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he... Read more