Social media has had a heyday over a video of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski trying the new Arch Burger before it was released in the U.S.
Kempczinski assured anyone watching the video, which was released several weeks ago, that he was going to eat it for his lunch, but was only doing a taste-test for the video. However, his video left viewers wondering if he was going to actually eat the “delicious product.”
The CEO raved over how the burger had so much going on and how it was “so big he didn’t even know how to attack it.” Following his description, he took a “big bite” and showed the camera the inside of the barely eaten burger.
Many weren’t convinced by the video.
The burger became available in the U.S. this week.
In an Instagram post, McDonald’s leaned into the buzz word “product” Kempczinski used to describe the new burger. The post was a picture of a burger that said, “Take a bite of our new product.”
The post received plenty of interaction on social media. One user wrote, “Why can’t you call it a burger? Why do you keep referring to it as a ‘product’?” Others said that the way he referred to it as a product makes them second-guess their decision to eat at McDonald’s.
Further emphasizing the CEO’s perceived disgust of the burger, one post on X showed a gif from “SpongeBob Squarepants,” when Squidward was trying his very first “Krabby Patty” and said, “I’ve seen Squidward take a bigger bite than Chris did.”
One comment from Burger King captured many thoughts on the video: “we couldn’t finish it either.”
Burger King couldn’t be left out of all the fun. Posting a video of its president, Tom Curtis, Burger King kept it simple as he ate a burger in the kitchen area while wearing an apron.
In the video, Curtis takes a bite and then proceeds to crack a joke.
“Only one thing missing — a napkin,” he chuckled.
A spokesperson from Burger King claimed the video was not a reaction to the McDonald’s CEO video.
“We can confirm that this video was not created in reaction to anything,” a Burger King spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News on Wednesday. “While the timing may seem quick, the video was part of ongoing efforts to spotlight the recently elevated Whopper and Tom’s direct engagement with guests.”
“We believe leadership should genuinely enjoy and stand behind the food we serve, and it was important for him to experience the Whopper the same way our Guests do as we continue building momentum around our menu updates,” the spokesperson continued.
Wendy’s president also joined in as he stepped it up by taking not one, not two, not three, but four bites. His bites were followed up by dipping his fries in a chocolate Frosty.
He even took a jab at McDonald’s while pouring himself some ice cream.
“Of course, you got to have a Frosty with a burger,” Pete Suerken said. “Is this set up today? Oh wait, our machines are always working.”
McDonald’s is often the target of an old joke making fun of the fast-food chain since its ice cream machines are frequently down.
A&W joined in a more direct way, making jabs at everything Kempczinski said in his McDonald’s tasting video. As Allen Lulu, A&W spokesperson, showcased the Teen Burger, he called the bread a bun, described the lettuce as green and after taking a bite, he said, “That is a big bite.”
He ended with an invitation for Kempczinski.
“And Chris, I invite you to join me for lunch.”