Burger King UK sends customers to McDonald’s to support restaurant industry

The popular fast food chain said, “We never thought we’d be saying this either,” as it asked customers to get their burgers from a big rival.

Burger King UK tells customers to order from rival McDonald’s and other chains to support restaurant industry during lockdown.

Well, well, well, look who’s playing nice.

Burger King has issued a surprising decree by encouraging fans to order from competitors like McDonald’s, in a show of support for the restaurant industry as England enters a second national lockdown to curb the coronavirus.

In an apparent gesture of goodwill, the chain’s UK office posted the notice to Twitter over the weekend.

We know, we never thought we’d be saying this either. pic.twitter.com/cVRMSLSDq6

— Burger King (@BurgerKingUK) November 2, 2020

On Saturday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a four-week lockdown to fight COVID-19 as infection rates are projected to rapidly rise. From November 5 to December 2, bars and restaurants in the UK will close for general service and can only offer takeout.

RELATED: Brits outraged at lockdown backflip

Burger King UK tells fans to order from McDonald’s and other chains to help support restaurant industry.

To that end, Burger King’s moving memo, called “Order from McDonald’s”, has been liked over 52,000 times.

“We never thought we would ask you to do this, just as we never imagined we would ask you to order from KFC, Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Five Guys, Greggs, Papa John’s, Taco Bell and other independent food outlets, too numerous to mention here,” the statement said.

‘Getting a Whopper is always best, but ordering a Big Mac is also not such a bad thing.’ Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Whether a chain was “fast or not fast,” Burger King stressed that restaurants with thousands of employees “really need your support” during this time.

“So if you want to help, keep treating yourself to tasty meals through home delivery, takeaway or drive through,” the chain said.

“Getting a Whopper is always best, but ordering a Big Mac is also not such a bad thing.”

Well done 👏🏾👏🏻👏 also... pic.twitter.com/hvcEsVj2RX

— Reight Group (@ReightTravel) November 2, 2020

Some followers applauded the appeal, with one praising Burger King’s pitch as “brave”.

Brave marketing, also generosity of spirit in these tough times. Well done.

— oliviacrossborder (@ocrossborder) November 2, 2020

Pure class.

Hope your store staff, social team etc all manage to pull through.

— Ryan Brown 🎮 (@Toadsanime) November 2, 2020

Respect from a McDonald’s fan🤝

— Conor Shepherd (@ConorShepherd3) November 2, 2020

Skeptics, meanwhile, criticised the stunt, and said that the struggling food service industry would be better served if people spent their dining dollars at smaller, local restaurants as the pandemic continues.

McDonald's has a net worth of c.$31,491,350,000.

I think they are OK.

Support local smaller businesses.

— Chris ⚡️ (@Crawfy2k9) November 2, 2020

LMAO WUT. These are multi billion dollar corporations. Order from the local guy down the street, not these clowns.

— Michael DeEspn (@FrogginWetBeav) November 2, 2020

A spokesperson for Burger King told Fox News that BK France launched the effort and shared the following statement:

“As countries across Europe head into lockdown mode again, we know many restaurants across the region will continue to feel the impact,” global CMO for parent company Restaurant Brands International Fernando Machado said.

Fast food restaurants across the UK will continue to feel the impact during lockdown. Picture: Paul Richards/AFP

“We are all in this together and need to support the many restaurants guests know and love and the thousands of jobs restaurants provide.

“The team at BK France created a campaign to support the restaurant industry and invite guests to continue to enjoy their favourite meals via drive-through, pick-up or delivery,” he added.

“BK UK and other markets across the region will be joining the united effort to support the food service industry.”

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission