McDonald's Drops Heinz Ketchup After Former Burger King CEO Takes Over

McDonald's is ending their relationship with Heinz Ketchup after 40 years in business, the fast food restaurant announced on Friday (October 25). The reason that the golden arches chain dropped the Pittsburgh based company was because former Burger King CEO, Bernardo Hees, took over Heinz in June. "We value the relationship we’ve maintained with Heinz for more than 40 years. As a result of recent management changes at Heinz, we have decided to transition our business to other suppliers over time," the fast food chain said in a statement. "We have spoken to Heinz and plan to work together to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of the McDonald’s restaurant business, and are confident that there will be no impact to our business, our customers and our great tasting food at McDonald’s.” Hees still serves as a vice chairman on the Burger King board and is a partner of 3G Capital. The Brazilian became CEO of the home of Whopper in 2010 when 3G bough the struggling chain and he subsequently turned it around by cutting prices and revamping their menu.

Heinz has not given a statement after McDonald's announced they were dropping them. Michael Mullen, spokesman for the company that produces the condiment told Reuters, "As a matter of policy, Heinz does not comment on relationships with customers." The change is not going to be felt in the U.S. as Heinz disappeared from franchises in the 1970s when they couldn't meet the ketchup demand. Pittsburgh, Heinz's home town, and Minneapolis are the only two cities where Heinz still supplies ketchup. The effect of the transition will be mostly felt overseas where McDonald's has over 34,000 restaurants.

Pittsburgh residents are not happy with the change as their relationship with Heinz run deep. “It’s an institution here in Pittsburgh; they should support Heinz,” customer Lucy Cotter told KDKA CBS 2. While another Pittsburgh resident, Mitchell Davis said, “I don’t think they should dump Heinz ketchup. Heinz is good. I like Heinz ketchup, they should keep it.” At this moment their is no turning back and customers to the fast food chain will have to live with "Fance Ketchup," as their packaging reads.