I tried Burger King's upgraded Whopper, which the chain says is helping drive sales. I can see why.

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Burger King's updated Whopper burger is helping to boost the brand and reignite the fast-food burger wars.

Inspired by customer complaints that its iconic burger was often squished during transit — it used to be simply wrapped in paper — the fast-food chain updated its signature Whopper in February with new box packaging, a new bun, and new, "creamier" mayonnaise.

The company said on Thursday that the updates are paying off.

The chain reported that US same-store sales jumped 8.5% in the second quarter, a surge that company president Tom Curtis attributed to the updated burger and new family-focused promotions, such as Burger King's Mandalorian meal collab.

Customers also bought about 20% more Whoppers than they did in the previous period, suggesting the makeover is resonating.

Its success comes as other burger chains struggle with sales. On Friday, Wendy's reported a 7% decline in same-store sales for the second quarter. McDonald's, which also released a new burger earlier this year, announced on Tuesday that comparable US sales growth slowed to 0.8% in the second quarter. Both chains pointed to problems with their value strategies: McDonald's cited too many overlapping promotions and discounts, while Wendy's pointed to its decision to pull back on discounting.

I tried Burger King's new "elevated" Whopper following its release, and I thought it was a clear upgrade from the original.

The Whopper has been around for decades. This is the first time it's been served in a cardboard box.

Released in 1957, just four years after the chain opened, the Whopper was 37 cents compared to Burger King's original burger, which cost 18 cents.

Whoppers — and all Burger King burgers, for that matter — are flame-grilled, giving their burgers a distinct smoky flavor. Another difference between Burger King's premium burgers and those of other chains, like McDonald's, is that Burger King's burgers are typically wrapped in paper rather than served in a cardboard box.

This new presentation is the most obvious change from the original Whopper.

The new cardboard box design better protected the burger from getting smushed during transit.

The chain announced on February 26 that it would change its Whopper packaging in response to negative customer feedback.

"So the Whopper being smushed, literally, I've heard it… and we've seen it," Curtis told CNN.

Another change to the burger was the bun itself — it was described in a press release as "a more premium, better-tasting bun."

After I bought the burger, I agreed that the bun looked much thicker, shinier, and better than previous iterations.

The burger has all the same toppings as the original, with upgraded mayonnaise.

While Whoppers don't typically come with cheese, I always order mine with cheese. The other toppings include sliced onions and tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and a new, "better-tasting" mayo, according to the chain.

The burger definitely felt thicker than the original, even though it was less expensive than the last time I bought a Whopper.

When I ordered a Whopper with cheese on February 14, 2026, it cost $9.17, excluding tax, at my local Burger King in Brooklyn.

When I ordered the same burger on February 27, 2026, it cost $8.58, excluding tax, at the same location.

Burger King's prices can vary by location and franchise. CNN reported that Burger King recommended that franchisees not raise prices for the new elevated Whopper.

The thicker, fluffier bun gave the burger more heft, but the biggest difference was how well it held together.

Unlike the original Whopper — which could turn soggy from its thinner mayonnaise and heavy condiments — this version was less saucy and stayed intact much better.

The new, creamier mayonnaise had more flavor, without making the burger a soggy mess. Combined with the still-flavorful flame-grilled burger patty, crunchy lettuce, and fresh tomato slices, this burger still remained my top pick among the most famous fast-food signature burgers.

I thought the burger was an improvement on the original Whopper without reinventing the wheel.

When updating a fast-food burger as iconic as the Whopper, there's a risk in changing too much — longtime fans may not respond well if it strays too far from what they know and expect.

However, I thought this slightly upgraded version of the Whopper hit all the right notes, and as fast-food customers seek out value more than ever, this burger delivered on that promise, too.

It maintained the same flavor profile while addressing the burger's biggest problem areas: flat, soggy buns and a slightly too high price point.

As a result, I understand why it's helping bring customers through Burger King's doors. It's still the same Whopper you know and love — just with a tune-up.

Editor's note: This story was first published in February 2026 and most recently updated in August 2026.