Join us Sept. 14-16 in Miami to connect with top publishing leaders
People think Burger King’s packaging for its jalapeño chicken fries are racist
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.
More in Marketing
Future of Marketing Briefing: The public ad tech era is over
Gone are the days when investors got themselves in a tizzy over ad networks, demand-side platforms and supply-side platforms on their own merits.
By the numbers: Wall Street’s tough assessment of ad tech
Big Tech continues to dominate digital growth, triggering a Wall Street exodus, but are returns imminent?
CMOs are struggling to link AI visibility with sales
Brands are spending on tools that rate their visibility within LLM responses and AI search, but proving the commercial impact of GEO remedies isn’t easy.