The 40-year partnership of McDonald's and Heinz Ketchup has been one of the longest relationships of our time. With the rise of super-short Hollywood marriages like Kim Kardashian's 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries, McDonald's and Heinz Ketchup was something Americans could rely on.
All high-profiles relationships brave smiles in the limelight even though there is usually more festering in the shadows. And beneath the smiles on McDonald's happy meals, the fast food chain has been hiding a history of turbulence with its condiment partner, Heinz.
Sure, their break is widely attributed to Heinz Ketchup bringing former Burger King chief executive partner and sworn McDonald's enemy Bernardo Hees to the helm. And once McDonald's heard about the choice, they ended their partnership and blamed the parting on irreconcilable differences.
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This isn't the first time McDonald's and Heinz had kinks in their relationship, after all they've been together for over 40 years. According to the Washington Post, in 1973, there was a tomato shortage and Heinz gave first priority to its glass bottle customers and left McDonald's with nothing to dip their fries in.
Heinz used to supply most of McDonald's ketchup. But now, most of the Heinz ketchup is used overseas. In fact, only two American cities use Heinz: Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. The rest use McDonald's own "Fancy Ketchup."
While these differences have been going on for years, Heinz's chief executive seems to have been the last straw (or ketchup packet).
However, both parties have tried to remain amicable during the split.
"As a result of recent management changes at Heinz, we have decided to transition our business to other suppliers over time," McDonald's said in a statement.
The couple have one son together and are determined to remain friends for his sake. Oh wait, that's Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr. McDonald's hopes Heinz Ketchup burns and dies without them.
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