Do you know Burger King once promoted Left-Handed whoppers? If you are surprised, you are not alone, as many such Burger King facts will surprise you. But were Burger King Left-Handed Whoppers real? Let’s find out!
Burger King Left-Handed Whoppers were an April Fools’ Day prank that Burger King pulled. The fast-food chain ran a full-page advertisement in the USA on April 1, 1998, announcing the introduction of the “Left-Handed Whopper.”
The entire campaign was a playful and lighthearted prank, and there was no Left-Handed Whopper. However, the stunt received widespread attention and is remembered to this day. Let’s find out more about it in the sections below.
What Was Burger King’s Left-Handed Whopper Ad Campaign?
Burger King’s Left-Handed Whopper marketing campaign was a humorous April Fool’s Day joke. The campaign introduced a new menu item called the “Left-Handed Whopper,” intended particularly for left-handed folks.
The campaign included a full-page advertisement in the USA on April 1, 1998. According to the ad, they flipped the burger’s contents 180 degrees to make it easier for left-handed people to hold.
The copy in the ad playfully described how the Left-Handed Whopper resulted from extensive research and development. It even included a quote from a fictional Burger King executive.
The campaign was intended to be a joke, but it drew much attention and discussion. It is, to date, considered one of the most successful and well-executed April Fools’ Day advertising in marketing history.
Were The Left-Handed Whoppers Real?
No, the Left-Handed Whoppers were not accurate. They were advertised as an April Fool’s Day joke by Burger King.
The advertisement was meant solely as a joke and generated a lot of attention and discussion. It also contained particular instructions for ordering the Left-Handed Whopper.
According to the advertisement, the “Left-Handed Whopper” contained all the components of the original Whopper but had been turned 180 degrees to make it simpler for left-handed consumers to hold and eat.
Moreover, right-handed customers were encouraged to sample the “Right-Handed Whopper.” Thus, the whole thing seemed real to customers, and many were left confused.
Did People Believe In Left-Handed Whoppers?
Many people believed that the left-handed Whopper was a genuine product. Following the campaign, Burger King received numerous inquiries from customers asking for the Left-Handed Whopper.
Thanks to the ad that they designed to be convincing. It featured instructions for left-handed customers to order the “Left-Handed Whopper.” It also came along with official explanations for the burger’s creation.
According to The Mary Sue, Jim Watkins, senior vice president of Burger King marketing at the time, the Left-Handed Whopper was the “ultimate ‘HAVE IT YOUR WAY’ for our left-handed customers.”
Thus, many customers approached Burger King restaurants and requested a burger. The next day, however, the firm admitted that it had all been a prank and that Left-Handed Whoppers (or, for that matter, right-handed Whoppers) do not exist.
If such an advertisement came before us even today, we would be interested in buying it. That’s because Burger King has some of the best burgers/sandwiches to order.
Conclusion
Burger King Left-Handed Whopper was a successful April Fool’s Day prank launched by the fast-food chain. It attracted the attention of many and went down in history as one of the most outstanding marketing campaigns of all time.
But the campaign’s success also lies in the fact that Burger King launched such a unique product that it made people believe that a thing like Left-Handed Whopper was also possible—with the success of Whopper, Burger King launched many more varieties of it.
For example, it launched a plant-based protein version, the Impossible Whopper, that is still available. Likewise, they found a limited-time Burger King Out-Of-Season Angry Whopper.
Furthermore, to spice things up, Burger King has been rolling out the Ghost Pepper Whopper for Halloween for the last few years. Similarly, Burger King has a Triple Whopper featuring three flame-grilled patties for those who can’t do with just one.
But that’s not all! If you didn’t know, Burger King also has a Mustard Whopper, an excellent option for all mustard lovers. With so many varieties of Whoppers offered by Burger King, you are guaranteed a great time at the restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Were Burger King Left-Handed Whoppers real?
No, Burger King’s Left-Handed Whoppers were not real. It was a prank rolled out by Burger King on April Fool’s Day in 1988.
Where were Burger King Left-Handed Whoppers launched?
Burger King’s Left-Handed Whoppers were not launched anywhere. It was an April Fool’s Day prank rolled out by Burger King in the USA in 1998.
What was the Burger King Left-Handed Whopper story?
Burger King’s Left-Handed Whopper was an advertisement by Burger King that introduced a new menu item called the “Left-Handed Whopper,” intended particularly for left-handed folks. According to the ad, the burger’s contents had been flipped 180 degrees to make it easier for left-handed people to hold.
Did people believe in the Burger King Left-Handed Whopper story?
Many people believed it to be true and visited Burger King stores to inquire about the same.