Parents Criticise Burger King For Giving Out Barbie Or Hot Wheels Kids' Meal Boxes Based On Gender

Parents have criticised Burger King for focusing on a child’s gender when choosing which toys to hand out with their kids’ meals.

The fast food chain reportedly asks parents when ordering a kids’ meal if it’s for a boy or a girl, giving a Hot Wheels-themed meal box for boys and a Barbie-themed box for girls.

One infuriated mum, Zoe Fairs, tweeted Burger King UK on 27 May, writing: “@BurgerKingUK stop asking if it’s for a boy or girl and start asking if they want a car or doll? @LetToysBeToys.”

@BurgerKingUK stop asking if it's for a boy or girl and start asking if they want a car or doll? @LetToysBeToys
— zoe fairs (@zoefairs) May 27, 2017

And it didn’t take long for other parents to wade in on the debate, agreeing with the mum.

@zoefairs @BurgerKingUK @LetToysBeToys Yes, please tell employees to stop saying this. Nobody should make a child feel bad for the toys they like.
— Meg (@megperryman) May 27, 2017

@zoefairs @LetToysBeToys @BurgerKingUK I said the exact same thing today. Made me cringe. Simple change of wording is all it would take.
— Producer Michelle (@producermichell) May 27, 2017

@zoefairs @LetToysBeToys @BurgerKingUK I've tweeted the exact same thing to them about a month ago! It's not difficult!
— Lisa PB (@FleecyLisa) May 27, 2017

@zoefairs @BurgerKingUK @LetToysBeToys SO annyoning ! "No she can't have the toy is for boys only" just let them play
— msthCORRUPCIÓNMinRel (@daddyraki) May 27, 2017

@zoefairs @BurgerKingUK @LetToysBeToys @elinoroberts Yes to this! As a little girl I was always annoyed if someone told me 'that's for boys'
— Leanne J (@minxlj) May 27, 2017

@BurgerKing how about asking 'hot wheels or barbie?' Instead of 'boy or girl' when ordering a kids meal? #genderstereotype
— Leanne Happy (@Leelabelle) April 21, 2017

Burger King UK replied to Fairs original tweet, apologising and asking her to send an email to their customer service team.

@zoefairs @LetToysBeToys Sorry to hear about this, Zoe. Please send an email on https://t.co/hcF5xqw7oi & they'll get back to you ASAP.
— Burger King UK (@BurgerKingUK) May 28, 2017

HuffPost UK has reached out to Burger King UK for comment and will update this piece upon their response.

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