Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, and social media in general cannot get enough of Burger King’s boldest advertising push in recent memory.
The fast food giant even “fired” the Burger King himself. The dismissal was part of a television commercial first shown during the Oscars, proclaiming “There’s a New King, and it’s You,” as The Who’s anthemic song, “Baba O’Riley,” plays in the background.
Christ School alumnus and current Trustee Tom Curtis ’81 is the company president behind these moves which have the world talking.
Former Board of Trustees Chairman and Trustee Emeritus Robert Stolz ’81, P’13 has been so impressed and proud of his former classmate that Robert generously purchased one of Burger King’s new and improved Whoppers for every Christ School student. The sandwiches were given out earlier this week at lunch – along with a good amount of cardboard crowns – by the Greenie Parents. Thank you, Robert!
Tom has overseen Burger King’s U.S. and Canada operations since 2021. While years of strategic investment, refranchising, and other operations improvements have gone into the company’s rebranding, it was a viral moment in early March that inspired Burger King’s current campaign.
Tom took a hearty bite out of a Whopper, quipping “Only one thing missing, a napkin.” His authenticity came across, making Tom a hit on social media especially as users compared and contrasted Tom’s bite to a similar taste test by his counterpart at McDonald’s.
Burger King seized the moment and didn’t stop there – Tom has even given out his cell phone number to customers who wish to leave feedback. Burger King said it received more than 35,000 messages.
Tom’s track record suggests that continued momentum for Burger King is entirely possible.
He was formerly Executive Vice President for U.S. Operations and Support for Domino’s Pizza – the largest pizza company in the world based off global sales. Tom’s association with Domino’s began as a delivery driver while attending Atlanta’s Emory University, he later became a franchise owner and then an executive.