Which fast-food franchise is known for its 'Whopper' sandwich?

Which fast-food franchise is known for its “Whopper” sandwich? Burger King is the canonical answer.

The Whopper is Burger King’s signature hamburger, introduced in 1957 by co-founders James McLamore and David Edgerton. They wanted a larger burger that would stand apart from the smaller hamburgers common at the time, and they chose “Whopper” because the word suggested something unusually large.

The original sandwich cost 37 cents and was built around a flame-grilled beef patty. Its recipe and bun have changed over the decades, but the familiar version includes lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, pickles, ketchup, and onion on a sesame-seed bun. Burger King later added the smaller Whopper Jr., which originated in Puerto Rico in 1963 when the proper Whopper buns were unavailable.

The Whopper is sometimes confused with Burger King’s other burgers or with competitors’ similarly marketed large sandwiches. It is also sold under localized names and recipes: in Australia, Burger King operates as Hungry Jack’s, whose menu includes the Whopper. Regional versions may use different proteins, sauces, or toppings while retaining the Whopper name.