Burger King Aims to Keep Its Lead Over Wendy's -- WSJ

By Heather Haddon

Burger King just wrestled back the No. 2 spot for U.S. burger chain sales from Wendy's, and it aims to keep it.

The fast-food chain's U.S. president, Tom Curtis, said Thursday that the brand is planning more upgrades of its core menu items next year, like it did with its Whopper and nuggets. Those new items are still generating more sales, Curtis said, with Burger King's U.S. same-store sales growing 8.4% in the third quarter.

The chain now has an opening to further pick up share as Wendy's is potentially going private. Asked about the take-private deal, Curtis said he respects Wendy's and its CEO's turnaround efforts.

"It all comes down to execution," Curtis said in an interview. "The business is not that complicated."

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October 29, 2026 15:43 ET (19:43 GMT)