MIAMI Burger King is reportedly testing a slightly smaller $1 Whopper Jr. in order to offset rising food costs.
The nation's No. 2 burger chain told the Wall Street Journal that it's trying out Whopper Jr. sandwiches that are made with 2-ounce hamburger patties instead of the 2.2-ounce patties it typically uses.
Officials for Burger King, which just reported a 42-percent jump in fourth quarter profit, said in a conference call Thursday with investors and analysts that the company's beef costs rose 11 percent in the quarter.
John Chidsey, Burger King's chief executive and president, told The Journal that it's also testing different drink sizes.
Burger King joins segment leader McDonald's in tinkering with its value menu in order to improve margins without alienating cost-conscious customers. McDonald's has said it would consider a different price or formulation for its popular dollar Double Cheeseburger.
