Burger King burns Wendy’s by offering Free Whoppers after surge-pricing plans announced
It’s a new kind of Hunger Games.
Just days after Wendy’s announced they would be testing an “Uber-style” surge-pricing model where the cost of menu items would fluctuate based on demand, Burger King made an announcement of their own.
BK will be giving out free Whoppers through Friday, March 1, throwing some not-so-subtle shade at their competitor.
“As the leader of this company, I will never support surge pricing or charging people more when they’re hungry. When our guests come to us, it’s our opportunity to give them our very best – in service and value for their hard-earned money. At Burger King, You Rule!” President of Burger King US, Burger King, Tom Curtis said in a statement to The Post.
Customers can redeem a free Whopper or vegetarian Impossible Whopper with a purchase of $3 or more through the “Offers” tab in the mobile app or on bk.com.
“The only thing surging at BK is the
. We don’t believe in charging people more when they’re hungry,” the company tweeted.
Burger King’s terms calls the deal “no urge to surge” — a responses to Wendy’s apparent urge to surge.
the only thing surging at BK is the
. we don't believe in charging people more when they're hungry.
FREE Whopper or Impossible Whopper with $3+ purchase in the BK App through Friday at part U.S. rest. terms apply: https://t.co/HblzQ1uRIq— Burger King (@BurgerKing) February 28, 2024
The Post has reached out to both Burger King and Wendy’s for comment.
Wendy’s was all over headlines after it was reported that CEO Kirk Tanner announced the new dynamic-pricing system on a call with investors, noting that they will invest $20 million on high-tech menu boards that will be able to update prices in real-time.
Representatives for Wendy’s — which has more than 6,000 locations nationwide — would not say how much prices could fluctuate.
“Dynamic pricing can allow Wendy’s to be competitive and flexible with pricing, motivate customers to visit and provide them with the food they love at a great value,” a Wendy’s spokesperson told The Post on Monday.
“We will test a number of features that we think will provide an enhanced customer and crew experience.”
But after facing backlash, Wendy’s walked back the announcement, insisting that Uber-style “surge pricing” isn’t part of the plan.
In a follow-up statement on Tuesday, the company said, “Any features we may test in the future would be designed to benefit our customers and restaurant crew members. Digital menu boards could allow us to change the menu offerings at different times of day and offer discounts and value offers to our customers more easily, particularly in the slower times of day.”
“To clarify, Wendy’s will not implement surge pricing, which is the practice of raising prices when demand is highest. We didn’t use that phrase, nor do we plan to implement that practice,” Wendy’s spokesperson Heidi Schauer said in a Wednesday statement to The Post.
Schauer added that there are “no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers are visiting us most.”
At the moment, McDonald’s hasn’t responded to the situation, but The Post reached out for comment.
This isn’t the first time Wendy’s and Burger King beefed.
In 2020, Burger King posted a photo of their mascot standing at a Wendy’s drive-thru holding a sign that said, “Roses are red, violets are blue, patties are round.” Wendy’s official Twitter account, which is infamous for its sarcasm, responded, “Looked who dropped by to see what Spicy Nuggets were supposed to taste like.” Burger King responded with another mascot photo, and Wendy’s had the final word with the response, “Honestly expected better, but you’re probably pretty used to hearing that.”
Only time will tell if the surge-pricing incident will ignite the fast food wars.
