McDonald’s has decided to stop serving Heinz ketchup in its stores after 40 years.
McDonald’s said it would drop the ketchup after Bernardo Hees, the former head of rival Burger King, took over as Heinz’s chief executive.
“We have decided to transition our business to other suppliers over time,” the world’s biggest fast-food chain said.
In February, Heinz was purchased in a $28 billion takeover.
The company said that it would work with Heinz “to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of the McDonald’s restaurant business”, which has 34,000 restaurants around the world.
Bernardo Hees took over after Heinz was bought by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Brazilian investment fund 3G Capital. Burger King is controlled by 3G Capital.
McDonald’s uses Heinz ketchup at many stores around the world, though only in Pittsburgh and Minneapolis inside the US.
“As a matter of policy, Heinz does not comment on relationships with customers,” the ketchup-maker said.
[youtube VLGIKuOb21w 650]
