McDonald's Big Arch vs. Burger King's 'New' Whopper: Which One Tastes Better?

The Post puts the fast-food giants' latest burger offerings to the test.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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With the cost of fast food rising, McDonald's and Burger King are battling for customers with new burger offerings - the Big Arch and the revamped Whopper. The Post gathered a group of staffers to put the burgers to the test, evaluating factors like flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment. While some preferred the Big Arch, the majority of tasters declared the new and improved Whopper the winner, praising its classic burger taste and nostalgic appeal.

Why it matters

The competition between fast-food giants like McDonald's and Burger King highlights the ongoing battle for customer loyalty and market share in the increasingly crowded and cost-conscious fast-food landscape. The introduction of new menu items is a key strategy for these chains to stay relevant and attract customers, making this taste test an interesting look at how their latest burger offerings stack up.

The details

McDonald's unveiled the Big Arch Burger, featuring two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of white cheddar, crispy onions, lettuce, pickles, and a special 'Big Arch' sauce. Meanwhile, Burger King revamped its classic Whopper with a 'more premium, better-tasting bun' and 'better-tasting mayo.' The Post gathered a group of staffers to put the burgers to the test, evaluating factors like flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment. While some preferred the Big Arch, the majority declared the new Whopper the winner, praising its classic burger taste and nostalgic appeal.

  • McDonald's launched the Big Arch Burger nationwide on March 3, 2026.
  • Burger King's updated Whopper was released around the same time as the Big Arch.

The players

McDonald's

An American fast-food company and one of the world's largest restaurant chains, known for its iconic Golden Arches and menu items like the Big Mac.

Burger King

An American fast-food hamburger chain, known for its 'Have it Your Way' slogan and signature Whopper burger.

Chris Kempczinski

The CEO and Chairman of McDonald's, who went viral for a video of him testing the Big Arch Burger.

Tom Curtis

The President of Burger King, who appeared in a viral video taking a big bite of the new Whopper.

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The takeaway

This taste test highlights the ongoing battle between fast-food giants McDonald's and Burger King as they compete for customer loyalty with new menu offerings. While both burgers had their merits, the majority of tasters preferred the revamped Whopper, praising its classic burger flavor and nostalgic appeal - proving that sometimes the classics are hard to beat.