People think Burger King’s packaging for its jalapeño chicken fries are racist

By Digiday • February 3, 2016 •

Burger King’s new Jalapeño Chicken Fries are feeling the heat online over its packaging.

Last week, the chain rolled out an even spicier version of the Internet’s beloved snacks with jalapeño seasoning mixed into the breading. Burger King is selling the chicken sticks in packaging that some are blasting as racist because it relies on Mexican stereotypes, like the sombrero and mustache.

Introducing Jalapeño Chicken Fries. They’re Jalap-in yo’ face with flavor. pic.twitter.com/pvesQg7v7Q

— Burger King (@BurgerKing) January 28, 2016

Well, some of Burger King’s Twitter followers think the mascot is racist.

Is it just me or does @BurgerKing jalapeño chicken fries mascot seem slightly racist? #MariachiTheFlavor pic.twitter.com/7ZLYIFEpzL — Jared Wheeler (@Jared_Wheeler) January 30, 2016

Am I the only one who has a problem with the design on the box? #jalapenofries #burgerking @BurgerKing #racist pic.twitter.com/twAO2BTF2R

— notsvsuiowa (@notsvsuiowa) February 2, 2016

@BurgerKing this is just plain racist because it’s jalapeño the bird now has a mustache and a mariachi guitar? pssh pic.twitter.com/mkjoXLnOF6 — Jared (@jared_ocana) January 31, 2016

Since the initial tweet, Burger King doesn’t appear to be deterred by the comments, tweeting another picture of the packaging yesterday.

NEW Jalapeño Chicken Fries are our zest flavor yet. pic.twitter.com/Q72myzBnYT

— Burger King (@BurgerKing) February 2, 2016

Burger King didn’t return a request for comment.

People think Burger King’s packaging for its jalapeño chicken fries are racist

More in Marketing

How GameStop went from struggling retailer to eBay bidder

OpenAI makes it easier to run shopping ads in ChatGPT

Marketers strain to juggle media budgets, AI and high expectations from CEOs