Burger King premium burgers facts for kids
Burger King, a famous fast food restaurant chain, has tried to create special, higher-quality burgers since the 1970s. This idea is part of a plan called the barbell strategy. It means offering two kinds of products: fancy, more expensive items for adults, and cheaper, value-focused items for everyone else. The goal is to attract more customers with the low prices and then encourage them to try the more expensive, better-quality burgers. This helps Burger King make more sales overall.
One of their first big attempts was the Sirloin Steak Sandwich in 1979. After that, Burger King introduced many other premium burgers. For example, in 2002, they launched the BK Back Porch Griller line, but it didn't do well and was removed quickly. In 2004, the Angus Steakburger came out. It also had slow sales because the patty was pre-cooked. Later, it was improved and called the Steakhouse Burger, which used a thinner, fresh-cooked patty. This burger was then replaced by the Steakhouse XT/Angus XT burger, which had a new, thicker patty. This was possible because Burger King got new cooking machines that could cook thicker burgers properly. Only burgers that say "Angus" in their name are made from Angus cattle. In 2011, the Steakhouse XT was replaced in North America by the Chef's Choice Burger, which was removed in 2012. The newest premium burger, the A.1. Ultimate Cheeseburger, arrived in North America in 2014.
Around the world, Burger King has also launched special premium sandwiches. In New Zealand, they had the BK Crown Jewels line, which was based on their popular Whopper, TenderGrill, and TenderCrisp sandwiches. This line was later replaced by the BK King's Collection of Angus beef burgers. Angus burgers were also sold in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In East Asia, you can find the Angus XT sandwich. In Great Britain, Burger King even offered burgers made from lamb and Wagyu beef for a limited time. In the United States, they sold a turkey burger.
To keep people interested, Burger King often releases special versions of their premium burgers for a limited time. These limited-time offers (LTOs) have different ingredients and are a big part of Burger King's business plan. They are often featured in the company's advertisements.
History of Premium Burgers
North America
Sirloin Steak Sandwich
The Sirloin Steak Sandwich was introduced in 1979. It was part of a big menu update at Burger King. In the mid-1970s, Burger King was having some problems. In 1978, Donald N. Smith joined the company from McDonald's to help make things better. He wanted Burger King to compete more effectively with McDonald's and Wendy's.
Smith started a plan called "Operation Phoenix." He changed how Burger King worked and began developing new products. These new items became known as the Specialty Sandwich line. Even though making these new sandwiches would take a little longer and cost money, Burger King decided to launch them in 1979. The new products were a success, and Burger King's sales went up by 15 percent!
The Sirloin Steak Sandwich had a long, chopped steak patty served on a sub-style, sesame seed roll. It was one of the first times a major fast food chain tried to create a product for a specific group of people, like adults aged 18 to 34. These customers were thought to be willing to pay more for a higher-quality product.
Back Porch Grillers
The Back Porch Grillers were launched in 2002. Burger King wanted to increase its sales before the company was sold to a group of investors. Burger King said these burgers were meant to taste like a burger you would cook at home. When they first came out, there were two flavors: Homestyle and Smokehouse Cheddar. A third type, the Black Stack BBQ Griller, was added later as a tie-in with the movie Men in Black II.
Early tests of the sandwich showed good results. Sales increased by about 15% without hurting the sales of other popular items like the Whopper. Because of these good results, Burger King decided to launch the sandwich across the country sooner. However, there was a problem. Burger King was also introducing new cooking machines called broilers. These new machines could cook thicker burgers for longer.
About one-tenth of Burger King's North American stores had the new broilers. In these stores, the sandwich had a single, thicker 1⁄3 lb (150 g) patty. But in stores with older machines, they had to use two thinner 2.4 oz (68 g) patties. Many customers complained that the thinner-patty version was dry and didn't taste as good as the thicker one.
This product was launched during a time of big changes for Burger King. The company had high hopes for it because sales had been falling for five years. The failure of the Back Porch Grillers left a gap in Burger King's menu. It meant they didn't have a strong premium product, which was important for their "barbell strategy."
The Angus Burger
The Angus Burger
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Quick facts for kids Nutritional value per 1 sandwich (276 g) |
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| Energy | 560 kcal (2,300 kJ) |
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59 g
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| Sugars | 9 g |
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22 g
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| Saturated | 9 g |
| Trans | 1.5 g |
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Protein
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32 g
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| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Sodium |
79%
1190 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Cholesterol | 180 mg |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. Source: www.BK.com (PDF) |
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The Angus burger first came to North America in 2004. It had a seasoned, 1⁄3 lb (150 g) patty that was supposed to taste like steak. This burger was introduced when low-carbohydrate diets were very popular in the United States, and Burger King hoped to take advantage of this trend. The chain also wanted to compete with newer, higher-quality fast food places like Panera Bread and Chipotle.
The Angus burger was one of the most expensive sandwiches Burger King had offered at the time, costing $3.29. It was aimed at "Superfans," who were 20% of Burger King's customers but made up 50% of their sales. One problem with the Angus burger was that its patty was pre-cooked. It didn't taste like a burger cooked fresh from raw meat. Even though it was sold as a premium product, many customers felt its texture wasn't much different from the cheaper Whopper.
In early 2008, Burger King started to remove the Angus burger from its U.S. menu. They planned to replace it with a new Angus-based product later that year.
Steakhouse Burger
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The Angus Steakhouse Burger was launched in April 2008, replacing the Angus Burger. This new burger had a large, square Angus beef patty. It came in two regular versions, with a special limited-time version added later. The patty was thinner than the previous Angus Burger because many Burger King restaurants still used older cooking machines. These older machines could only cook patties of a certain thickness. Thicker patties, like the one used before, had to be pre-cooked.
Burger King said the "Steakhouse Burgers offer the indulgence of an entire steak dinner at a fraction of the cost." While one version had regular toppings, the Loaded Steakhouse was famous for its unusual main ingredient: mashed potatoes topped with crispy, fried onions and A1 steak sauce. People who reviewed the Loaded Steakhouse burger called it "disgustingly good" and a "Meaty Jewel in Burger King's Crown," even though the topping was "pretty weird."
By October 2008, Burger King announced that its sales in the United States had grown. This was partly due to the sales of the Steakhouse Burger, even during a tough economic time.
Steakhouse XT
The Steakhouse XT
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| Nutritional value per 1 sandwich (273 g) | |
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| Energy | 640 kcal (2,700 kJ) |
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55 g
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| Sugars | 10 g |
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33 g
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| Saturated | 10 g |
| Trans | 1.5 g |
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Protein
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33 g
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| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Sodium |
84%
1260 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Cholesterol | 185 mg |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. Source: www.BK.com (PDF) |
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With new cooking machines (broilers) in the United States and Canada in 2009 and 2010, Burger King introduced its third generation of premium burgers: the Steakhouse XT burger. The "XT" stands for eXtra Thick. This new sandwich became the most expensive burger on the menu. Unlike the previous two, this version was not made from Angus beef, but it was known for its size and ingredients.
A fancier version of the Steakhouse XT was first sold in 2009 at Burger King's new BK Whopper Bar restaurant in Universal Studios Orlando. The regular versions were launched in January 2010 after all North American restaurants had the new broilers. The new sandwich had a new round, 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm), 7 oz (200 g) thick patty. It cost between $3.99 and $4.49, depending on the type. The new broilers allowed Burger King to cook different types of products that needed different cooking times.
The Steakhouse XT came out when Burger King was having some disagreements with its restaurant owners (franchises). A promotion called "Buck Double" was very popular, but it was making less profit for the restaurants. This, along with a difficult economy, had caused Burger King's overall profits to drop. The Steakhouse XT was meant to help boost sales.
Burger King also introduced special limited-time versions of the sandwich called Stuffed Steakhouse Burgers. These had ingredients like cheese and jalapeños mixed right into the patty. These burgers were priced at $3.99.
The Steakhouse line was stopped in 2012, about 14 months after the company was sold to a Brazilian company called 3G Capital.
Chef's Choice Burger
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The Chef's Choice Burger was introduced in October 2011. This was part of a plan by the new owners, 3G Capital, to change how Burger King operated. The sandwich featured a new 5.5 oz (160 g) ground chuck patty, a new "artisan" bun, and new, better-tasting bacon. Burger King's old bacon was not very good, so they replaced it with thicker, naturally smoked bacon cooked fresh in the restaurant.
This burger was designed to compete with McDonald's Angus Third Pounder and Wendy's Dave's Hot 'N Juicy Cheeseburgers. It was launched with one regular version, and two more were added in March 2012.
At this time, newer types of restaurants, like Five Guys and Smashburger, were becoming very popular. These places offered higher-quality burgers. Also, convenience stores like 7-11 started selling cheaper hot foods, which challenged the lower-priced items on Burger King's menu. This meant Burger King's "barbell strategy" was being challenged from both sides.
McDonald's and Wendy's focused on improving their menus, and their sales grew. Burger King, however, focused its advertising on "superfans" (younger customers). As a result, Burger King's sales stayed the same.
The new owners, 3G Capital, decided to update Burger King's menu, stores, and image. Besides the Chef's Choice Burger, they added items like oatmeal, ice cream, and smoothies, similar to what McDonald's offered. Burger King also changed its advertising company to promote the new burger with a focus on food quality.
A1 Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger
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The A1 Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger is Burger King's latest effort to add a premium burger to its North American menu. It was introduced in July 2014. This sandwich is part of a new plan to offer fewer products that are simpler to make. After 3G Capital bought Burger King, the company started to reorganize its operations, including its menu. They wanted to make their kitchen operations more efficient.
Europe
The Aberdeen Angus Burger
The Aberdeen Angus burger was added to Burger King's menu in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2006.
In early 2013, Burger King had to remove the Angus sandwich from its menu because of a food safety issue in Europe. Even though Burger King said no horse meat was found in their patties, the meat was processed in the same factory as some affected products. So, they removed the burgers as a safety step. The European Angus sandwich was brought back in mid-2014.
The $190 Burger
The $190 burger was a very special sandwich made with Wagyu beef. It was sold for one day in June 2008 at a single location in East London. This special burger was created to show Burger King's dedication to food quality. It was also a fundraiser, with all the money going to a local British children's charity.
The Lamb Flatbread Burger
In March 2012, Burger King became the first major burger chain to offer a burger made from lamb. They introduced their Lamb Flatbread burger to their menu in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
New Zealand
Crown Jewels
The BK Crown Jewels line was created by Burger King's partner in New Zealand. These sandwiches were launched in the summer of 2005. They were part of Burger King's worldwide plan to add more adult-focused items to its menu. The products were different versions of the existing Whopper, TenderCrisp, and TenderGrill sandwiches. They featured more unique ingredients like mango lime salsa, avocado, and garlic aioli.
Within two months of their launch, sales at Burger King restaurants in New Zealand increased by about 10%. This caught the attention of Burger King's main company. They watched the sales and how customers liked the products to see if they could use the idea in other countries. Even though the idea was made for New Zealand, executives thought it could easily be changed for other regions. Eventually, the Crown Jewels sandwiches were stopped.
King's Collection
The King's Collection was first introduced in 2010. It was created in response to a new line of Angus-based sandwiches from McDonald's in New Zealand. This new sandwich line was a partnership with AngusPure, an Australian brand of grass-fed beef, and Heinz, a condiment supplier.
Asia
In Hong Kong, Burger King sold a special Angus XT Black Truffle burger.
Competitive Products
As Burger King's "barbell strategy" became successful, other fast food chains like McDonald's and Carl's Jr./Hardee's also started trying similar ideas. In 2001, Carl's Jr./Hardee's began selling its Six-Dollar Burger, which was also made from Angus beef.
In the United States, McDonald's introduced its own Angus Third Pounder sandwich in 2009. These were removed from the menu in 2013 and replaced with new versions of their Quarter Pounder sandwich.
Advertising
North America
- Dr. Angus – Dr. Angus was a character created in 2004 to promote the new Angus line of sandwiches. He was played by comedian Harry Enfield. Dr. Angus was a funny, self-help "doctor" who encouraged people to "sit down" and enjoy Burger King's big Angus burgers. In 2006, he was used again to advertise new Cheesy Bacon Angus and TenderCrisp sandwiches.
- There was also a fun website called The Angus Diet. It had fake diet testimonials, a pretend diet book, and "Angus interventions." You could send these "interventions" to friends by email. The idea was to spread the message of the Angus Diet: "just enjoy life. Do whatever you want. Eat whatever you want as long as it makes you happy."
- The Western Barbecue Angus – In 2005, Burger King teamed up with the TV show The Apprentice. Two teams on the show competed to design a sandwich for Burger King to sell. The winning sandwich was the "Western Angus Steak Burger." This new sandwich was sold nationwide for a limited time the day after the TV episode aired.
- Steakhouse (1st campaign) – The first ads for the Steakhouse Burger used the slogan "the burger you just can't wait for." The commercials often showed people rushing to Burger King to buy a Steakhouse Burger, sometimes causing funny accidents along the way.
- Steakhouse Burger (2nd campaign) – The second set of ads for the Steakhouse Burger said the sandwich was "so special, people might think you think you're special." These commercials suggested that you had to "earn the right" to eat a Steakhouse Burger. They usually showed two people enjoying the burger. Then, a third person would ask what they did to deserve it. One person would brag about doing something amazing, while the other would simply say they were "just hungry." The third person would then scold the second person for eating a sandwich they "did not deserve."
Europe
The Angus burger commercials featured a man asking for an Angus Burger in a "FastBurger" restaurant, which was a funny imitation of McDonald's. The staff would laugh, thinking you couldn't buy such a burger at a fast food place. The news of the order would reach the FastBurger headquarters, and everyone would laugh. But then, the chairman would see a newspaper headline saying "Burger King Debuts The Angus." The ad would then show a real Angus Burger and say, "The Angus Burger, only at Burger King."
New Zealand
The ads for the Crown Jewels sandwiches used the slogan Flash, but not too flash. This meant that while the burgers cost more than regular Burger King items, they weren't as expensive as what you'd pay at a fancy restaurant. The commercials showed animals like snails or frogs, which are sometimes eaten in different parts of the world. As the narrator talked about Burger King looking for new and complex ingredients, the animals would look scared, thinking they were the new ingredients. At the end, the narrator would announce one of the new flavors, and the animal would be relieved. Then, they would often be comically hit by the new food item, like a frog getting hit by a mango.
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