McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski went viral on social media after appearing deeply unenthusiastic about eating one of his own burgers. The CEO’s reaction to the Big Arch Burger sparked widespread attention. After introducing the product and assuring viewers he would eat it for lunch, Kempczinski opened the box and initially seemed excited, exclaiming, “Holy cow.” However, his enthusiasm quickly faded as he struggled to recall the ingredients, referring to the burger as a “product” rather than food. He took a small bite, appeared uncomfortable, and later described the experience as a “big bite for a Big Arch.” The clip, shared by Rain Drops Media, highlighted Kempczinski’s reluctance to engage with the burger. Social media users quickly picked apart the moment, with many comparing his reaction to the awkwardness of a character from The Simpsons trying a Krabby Patty for the first time. Others focused on the CEO’s choice of words, suggesting his description of the burger as a “product” rather than a meal implied it lacked nutritional value. Commentators also noted the irony of the CEO’s behavior, given that the burger was developed in McDonald’s corporate kitchens. @Nick_TopG joked that the burger was “worlds better than anything you would ever get at an actual McDonald’s,” yet Kempczinski still seemed uninterested. The most scathing critique came from @RoyalMelanite, who called the moment “the most unintentionally hilarious endorsement fail since New Coke.” Reddit users echoed the humor, with u/Carosello questioning why the company would upload the video in the first place.#mcdonalds #chris_kempczinski #big_arch_burger #rain_drops_media #the_simpsons
McDonald’s pivoted to value and won. Now it’s taking a big, beefy gamble on the Big Arch The fast food giant’s biggest-ever burger has a premium price tag in a value-driven time. Can it deliver a big bump in sales or will it be a repeat of McDonald’s most famous flop? Thirty years ago, McDonald’s released its most infamous and expensive flop, the Arch Deluxe. Marketed as a burger with a “grown-up” taste, it promised culinary transcendence through premium ingredients, years of research and testing, and the then exotic siren scent of dijonnaise sauce. To the shock of the company brass, American consumers didn’t fall over themselves to pay for something at McDonald’s that was more expensive than a Big Mac. (A $150 million advertising campaign that involved children being grossed out by the adult-themed burger probably didn’t help.) Within a few years, the sandwich unceremoniously disappeared from menu boards. Decades later, former McDonald’s Head Chef Andrew Selvaggio also shared that the Arch Deluxe was an operational nightmare for an industry built on thrift, speed, and uniformity. “It was a new burger that required a new sauce, new buns, new lettuce, seasoning.” The specter of the Arch Deluxe disaster, which has since become legendary material for MBA case studies and corporate cautionary tales, will no doubt serve as nightmare fuel for McDonald’s executives when the company releases the Big Arch on March 3.#mcdonalds #chris_kempczinski #andrew_selvaggio #big_arch #arch_deluxe
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski Struggles with New Big Arch Burger A video shared on social media last month shows McDonald’s CEO and Chairman Chris Kempczinski hesitantly trying the new “Big Arch” burger, a massive sandwich set to debut in the U.S. on Tuesday. In the clip, Kempczinski expresses his enthusiasm for the product, stating, “I love this product, it is so good. I’m going to do a tasting right now, but I’m going to eat this for my lunch, just so you know.” The burger, described as a “big burger,” includes two quarter-pound patties, Big Arch sauce, lettuce, crispy onions, and pickles. Kempczinski’s attempt to eat the oversized sandwich appears awkward, as he admits he “didn’t even know how to attack it” and hesitates before lifting the burger to his mouth. After taking a small bite, he comments, “Mmm, that is so good, that’s a big bite for a Big Arch,” then turns the burger toward the camera. The clip quickly went viral, with social media users mocking the CEO’s reluctance and questioning whether he genuinely enjoys his company’s menu items. Commenters criticized Kempczinski for treating the burger like a foreign object, with one user quipping, “This was the most unnatural thing I’ve ever seen.” Another remarked, “Why does he look like he’s scared to bite it?” Others pointed out his use of corporate jargon, such as referring to the burger as a “product,” with one commenter writing, “It Scares me when you call food ‘product.’” A popular comment read, “He def don’t eat Mcdonals [sic].” The Big Arch Burger, which gained cult following in Canada and Europe in 2024, was added to the permanent menu in the UK and Ireland. The burger contains 1,020 calories, nearly matching the total calories in a standard Big Mac Meal, including fries and a medium Coke.#social_media #mcdonalds #chris_kempczinski #big_arch_burger #calories
McDonald’s CEO’s awkward taste test sparks mocking online: ‘His aura screams kale salad’ Business leaders are increasingly placing themselves in front of the camera, in an effort to appear more relatable to a social media-first audience. When it goes well, it can be a huge hit. When it doesn’t, you risk becoming the subject of online ridicule. In the recent case of Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s CEO and president, it’s the latter. Kempczinski, who has led the company since 2019, recently attempted to promote a new menu item by conducting a live taste test of the McDonald’s Big Arch burger. The moment quickly turned into a viral spectacle of awkwardness. The burger, which is set to launch nationwide in the U.S. for a limited time starting March 3, features two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of melted white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, and a signature Big Arch tangy sauce. During the live session, Kempczinski told the audience he would “do a tasting right now” but then admitted he was eating it for lunch. He hesitated, looking around the burger and saying, “I don’t even know how to attack it, there’s so much to it.” After taking a small bite, he showed the camera the indentation he made, prompting comments like, “That was the smallest first bite I’ve ever seen.” A Reddit user quipped, “If McDonald’s cares about its future, they need to make sure [Kempczinski] is anywhere but in front of a camera.” The incident has drawn widespread mockery online, with critics highlighting the CEO’s apparent discomfort with the product. Some have compared his reaction to that of someone who might prefer a kale salad over a burger. Kempczinski’s tenure at McDonald’s has been marked by efforts to modernize the brand, including initiatives to improve customer experience and expand digital ordering.#mcdonalds #reddit #chris_kempczinski #big_arch_burger #mcdonalds_us
