A resurfaced video of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski taste-testing the company’s new Big Arch burger has sparked widespread mockery across social media. Many users say the executive looked visibly uncomfortable eating his own product.The clip, first shared by Kempczinski on Instagram in early February 2026 to promote the new burger, shows him holding the towering sandwich. He describes it as something tested in Portugal, Germany, and Canada, repeatedly calling it a “product.
”He takes a small bite, chews briefly, then dabs his mouth with a napkin in a way that many viewers interpreted as him spitting the food out. Kempczinski then says, “That is so good,” while showing the burger with just a tiny nibble and adding, “That’s a big bite for a Big Arch.”The awkward moment quickly drew criticism online. Users called it “the most unnatural thing I’ve ever seen,” labeling his enthusiasm as robotic and questioning why the CEO seemed reluctant to enjoy the item he was promoting. The video gained massive traction after spreading on TikTok and X.A recent post on X by
@Saffron_Sniper1 on April 25, 2026, which has received millions of views, reignited the conversation: “McDonald’s CEO dropped a video to shut down rumors that he never eats his own McDonald’s food… Bro takes one bite, chews twice, then spits it straight into a napkin like it’s radioactive waste. ” Replies included jokes about not getting high on your own supply and broader criticism of McDonald’s as processed junk food. Competitors joined in the fun. Burger King and other chains posted their own CEO taste-test videos with enthusiastic big bites, turning the situation into a lighthearted social media “burger war. ”The Big Arch Burger
The Big Arch features multiple beef patties, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and a signature sauce on a sesame seed bun. It launched in the U.S. in March 2026 as a limited-time item.CEO Responds
In later interviews, including with The Wall Street Journal, Kempczinski addressed the backlash. He noted that social media requires “a thick skin” and said the attention helped generate buzz for the Big Arch. He defended his on-camera style and even joked about the incident.Despite the memes, McDonald’s continues promoting the burger. The episode has fueled ongoing online discussions about fast food quality, executive authenticity, and consumer skepticism toward heavily marketed processed items.