Walmart is giving its Walmart+ members free Whoppers from Burger King to stay one step ahead of its rival program Amazon Prime.
Walmart announced the start of its partnership with the burger chain on Thursday, marking the first time the retailer has offered a meal benefit to its members.
Here’s what the Walmart+ membership offers now: Starting Thursday, members will receive 25% off any digital order they place at Burger King through the fast-food restaurant chain’s app or website. Starting in September, members will receive a free Whopper every three months when they make any purchase. Walmart+ members must link their membership to a Burger King rewards account to take advantage of the discounts.
The decision to introduce the new benefit was based on “member insights” that showed they already eat at Burger King and the benefit offers real value, the company said in a statement.
“The Burger King benefit helps members save at a restaurant they use anyway when there aren’t enough hours in the day,” a Walmart spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. “This is a way for us to take some of the pressure off our members’ hectic schedules.”
A Walmart+ membership costs $98 per year, compared to $139 for Amazon Prime. Launched in 2020, 15 years after the launch of Prime, Walmart’s membership program offers shoppers free shipping on online orders, access to Paramount+ and additional savings on travel through the Expedia booking platform.
“We continually strive to offer benefits that are focused on our members and align with our commitment to providing undeniable value and convenience,” Venessa Yates, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart+, said in a statement Thursday. “We’re confident our members will welcome the additional savings, and we’re excited to partner with a trusted brand like Burger King to offer this benefit.”
The new deal could also bring more customers to Burger King, as many Americans shy away from the high cost of food and groceries. A number of fast-food restaurants have introduced summer deals to win back price-conscious consumers suffering from the burden of inflation. For example, Burger King’s competitor McDonald’s launched a 5 dollar menu this summer to try to reverse a sales slump.
