# Fan-Made Sandwich Creations Burger King Unveiled the Finalists of its Whopper Contest By Debra John | Published 2024-09-16 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whopper-contest References: [www2.multivu](https://www2.multivu.com/burger-king/9289651-en-burger-king-reveals-million-dollar-whopper-contest-finalists) & [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/C_8dX8gpsax/?img_index=1)  [Burger King](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-6) has announced the finalists in its 'Million Dollar Whopper Contest,' which began earlier this year; selecting three creations based on their innovative use of ingredients and flavor profiles. The finalists include the 'Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper,' created by Fabian from California. This burger features a "¼ lb. flame-grilled beef patty topped with pickle ranch, lettuce, [fried pickles, bacon, and Swiss cheese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-pickle-bacon-burger), served on a toasted sesame seed bun while the Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper, created by Calvin from California includes a ¼ lb. flame-grilled beef patty with maple bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy onions and jalapeños, maple bacon seasoning, bacon, and American cheese, also on a toasted sesame seed bun." The third finalist is the '[Mexican Street Corn Whopper](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tex-mex-whopper),' created by Kelsie from Nebraska. This burger features a "¼ lb. flame-grilled beef patty with street corn spread, lettuce, tomato, Southwest-seasoned tortilla crisps, and Mexican spicy queso, served on a toasted sesame seed bun." Image Credit: Burger King ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 28% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Innovative Flavor Combinations:** Contestants have pushed boundaries by merging unconventional ingredients like maple bourbon BBQ sauce and fried pickles with traditional burger elements. - **Customer-driven Product Development:** Involving customers in the creation of new menu items highlights an emerging trend of increased consumer engagement in product development. - **Regional Culinary Fusion:** Incorporating flavors inspired by diverse local cuisines, such as Mexican street corn and Southwest spices, indicates a growing interest in regional fusion foods. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast Food:** Fast food chains are adopting customer-inspired innovations to create unique and exciting menu offerings that stand out in a competitive market. - **Food and Beverage:** The trend of integrating eclectic and bold flavors is influencing the food and beverage industry, driving the demand for niche and specialized food products. - **Consumer Packaged Goods:** Companies in this sector can explore novel flavor pairings to release limited-edition products that resonate with adventurous consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Competition-Born Burger Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-6.md) - [Consumer-Driven QSR Burger Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/million-dollar-whopper-contest.md) - [Guest-Inspired Premium Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-steakhouse-whopper.md) - [Southwest-Inspired Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southwest-bacon-whopper-sandwich.md) - [Fried Onion String Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freedom-rings.md) - [Saucy Crispy Onion Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-onion-whopper.md) - [Backyard Barbecue QSR Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bbq-brisket-whopper.md) - [Boozy Maple BBQ Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maple-whisky-bbq-king.md) - [Steakhouse-Inspired QSR Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steakhouse-bacon-whopper.md)