MIAMI, Nov. 21 -- Burger King Corporation today announced a partnership with The Little Tikes Company, a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, innovative children's products, to provide premiums in BURGER KING(R) kids meals for BURGER KING(R) restaurants' under-three aged Guests. These colorful premiums will be a combination of miniature versions of Little Tikes(R) classic and contemporary toys and will reward kids through excellent play value and parents with an innovative loyalty program allowing grown-up savings on retail Little Tikes(R) merchandise. Although Burger King Corporation's Little Tikes Toddler Toys will be available in some BURGER KING(R) restaurants across the country as early as this month, the toys will be available at all BURGER KING(R) restaurants early next year.
"Bringing Little Tikes to BURGER KING(R) restaurants is a strategic win for Burger King Corporation," said Craig Braasch, vice president, global advertising and promotions, Burger King Corporation. "Both toddlers and parents can enjoy Little Tikes' strong heritage of high quality and imagination along with their great-tasting, BURGER KING(R) meals. Toddlers will love playing with these fun toys, which also include savings coupons on Little Tikes(R) products that parents can utilize at their convenience -- a wonderful value that will be appreciated by our Guests. This partnership with Little Tikes truly allows our Guests another unique opportunity to HAVE IT YOUR WAY(R)."
These new premiums will be miniature versions of one of 16 classic or contemporary Little Tikes(R) toys such as the Chat 'n Play(TM) Phone, the Cozy Coupe(R) Car, Hoppin' Scoot(TM) Rider and the Toddle Tots(R) School Bus.
"Burger King Corporation's consumer, quality and innovation focus and global reach make it a perfect fit to bring our popular brand to an even broader audience," said Brian Kirkendall, vice president of marketing, The Little Tikes Company. "We are pleased to partner with Burger King Corporation to provide these fun, high-quality choices to its youngest Guests."
In addition to hours of fun and play for kids, when parents and guardians of toddlers opt for an Under-three toy with their BURGER KING(R) kids meal purchase, they will receive a Savings Point Certificate packaged with the
premium. Collected Savings Point Certificates can then be redeemed by mail for up to $10 off the price of Little Tikes(R) full-size retail toys.
Burger King Corporation's Little Tikes under-three premiums were developed in conjunction with Premium Surge, a unit of Chicago-based Draft, Inc.
About Little Tikes Company
The Little Tikes Company, founded in 1970, is a Hudson, Ohio-based multi- national manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, innovative children's products. The world's largest rotational molder and a Newell Rubbermaid company, Little Tikes employs more than 2,000 associates around the world. For more information, visit www.littletikes.com.
About Burger King Corporation
We take Pride in Serving our Guests the Best Burgers and a variety of other Fresh, Great Tasting, Foods Cooked over an Open Fire. That's what we're all about.
The BURGER KING system operates more than 11,350 restaurants in all 50 states and in 58 countries and territories around the world. Ninety-one percent of BURGER KING restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades.
Burger King Holdings, Inc., the parent company, is private and independently owned by an equity sponsor group comprised of Texas Pacific Group, Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. In fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, BURGER KING had system-wide sales of $11.3 billion.
To learn more about BURGER KING, please visit the company's website at www.burgerking.com.