McDonald's announced Friday it would drop Heinz as its ketchup provider after Heinz named the former head of Burger King as its CEO.
"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.
Bernardo Hees, 42, became the CEO of Burger King Worldwide, Inc., in 2010, according to Forbes. He was named Heinz CEO on June 10.
McDonald's mostly uses Heinz ketchup internationally; Pittsburgh and Minneapolis are the only U.S. markets that use the brand. The majority of in-store ketchup dispensers in McDonald's locations are not branded, and McDonald's ketchup packets are labeled "fancy ketchup." But McDonald's has used Heinz ketchup for 40 years.
A Burger King spokesman told Reuters the chain has used Heinz ketchup for "decades" in roughly 80% of the markets it's located in.
A Heinz spokesperson declined to comment.