MIAMI Burger King said it has started the replacement of its fryer oil with two trans-fat-free blends by making the switch in five key markets. The burger chain said it expects to make the change in all of its U.S. restaurants by the end of 2008, but could complete the rollout sooner if supplies are available.
The nation’s second-largest burger chain, which operates or franchises more than 8,430 restaurants domestically, did not specify what kinds of oils it is using or what markets debuted the blends other than New York City, where a ban on oils containing artery-clogging trans fats went into effect July 1.
Arch-rival McDonald’s is now using trans-fat-free oil in about 3,500 of its 13,200 domestic restaurants. Executives there have said they hope to finish the rollout within the next year. Wendy’s completed its switch to non-hydrogenated cooking oil for all its fried items last August.