Whopper
The same flame-grilled burger as Burger King’s, sold under a different sign. A wide, thin, smoky patty with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, tomato sauce and mayo on a sesame bun. Australians grew up with it as a Hungry Jack’s burger and many are surprised to learn where it came from. It is still the anchor of the menu.
The story
This is the same burger as Burger King’s and it is sold under another name for a reason that ended up in court. Jack Cowin bought the Australian franchise in 1970 and found a small Adelaide takeaway already owned the words Burger King, so he picked Hungry Jack from a list of other names the company held — it was a Pillsbury pancake mix — and opened in Perth in 1971. When the local trademark lapsed, Burger King tried to open its own Australian stores. Cowin sued, won A$46.9 million in 2001, and absorbed them.
What’s inside
Make it at home
My copycat first, then everything I built on top of it.- My copycat
Whopper (Copycat)
The Whopper on YouTube
Everyone who has cooked, copied or taste-tested it on camera.
Similar burgers at other chains
Built around the same things as the Whopper.- Johnny Rockets · beef
SignatureThe Original - Burger King · beef
Whopper Jr. - Sunset Boulevard · beef
Hereford Classic - Wendy's · beef
SignatureDave’s Single
More from Hungry Jack's
About Hungry Jack's
When Jack Cowin bought the Australian franchise for Burger King in 1970, he hit a problem: a small Adelaide takeaway had already trademarked the name “Burger King” in Australia. Burger King offered him a list of other names it owned, and he picked Hungry Jack, a Pillsbury pancake mix, adding the apostrophe and an S. The first restaurant opened in Perth in 1971.
Around 440 restaurants across Australia, most of them company-owned.
Not affiliated with Hungry Jack's. Trademarks belong to their owners.