“We apologize to all those who have felt offended by our campaign aimed at promoting our vegetable products at Easter. Our intention has never been to offend anyone and the immediate withdrawal of the campaign has already been requested.
With the words of that tweet, Burger King of Spain announced the withdrawal of the campaign from public roads that generated strong controversy throughout the weekend.
The novelty was announced on April 17, Easter Sunday, through the official profile of the chain in Spain.
The advertising campaign was based on the use of biblical words linked to meat, but in reference to the intake at Easter and the new products for vegetarians that Burger King offers as an “alternative” to the Catholic tradition.
One of the billboards that were removed spoke of “Take all of you and eat of it. That he does not have meat. 100% vegetarian. 100% flavor. Big King Vegetable”.
In another publicity on public roads you could read: “Flesh of my flesh”, with the word “meat” crossed out, and replaced with “vegetable”.
The controversy went viral on social networks under the hashtag #BoicotBurgerKing and, hours later, the brand announced the decision to withdraw the campaign and apologize.
In parallel, on the CitizenGo platform, an initiative had been published for the brand to move forward in this regard.
Numerous Christians in Spain, including several priests, a bishop and referents of the extreme right in that country, such as Jorge Buxadé, from Vox, expressed their anger at the content of the Burger King campaign.
“I don’t like to see the logos of multinationals frivolously disparaging our faith and the traditions of thousands of Spaniards,” the politician said on Twitter.
“I was one of his first clients at his store on Calle Tetuán in Madrid. About 40 years ago. He was loyal to Burger King. Let them know that I’m not coming back, neither me nor my family. There are things that should be thought about before doing them. Goodbye,” said another user on the same social network.
We apologize to all those who have been offended by our campaign aimed at promoting our vegetable products at Easter. Our intention has never been to offend anyone and the immediate withdrawal of the campaign has already been requested.
— Burger King (@burgerking_es) April 17, 2022
After Burger King’s publication announcing the withdrawal and “lowering” the campaign, many other users complain about the decision.
Some even remember that the company developed a similar advertising campaign with other faiths.
“I find it regrettable that you make this decision by four thin-skinned cultists who are the first to appeal to ‘free speech’ and ‘the glass generation’. A vegan hamburger for the tradition of Good Friday, what a terrible offense!” Said one of the most exalted.
Few have caught that Burger King has announced the withdrawal of its Easter campaign on the same day that Easter ends. And there is the extreme right, boasting of a victory when it has given him advertising that is worth more than what he has invested in the marquees.
– Rubén Sánchez (@RubenSanchezTW) April 17, 2022
“We don’t want you to laugh at her, but that they extend it to other religions, so we all have a laugh. A lot of freedom of expression but then you lack the balls to use it, “added another.
Now read:
Burger King and a campaign “that insults Catholics” generates controversy
This is the campaign with which Burger King Mexico will go to Cannes Lions 2022
Burger King “gives” cockroaches to consumers; he finds it in his potatoes