The Lighthearted Misunderstanding That Led to the Failure of A&W's 1/3 Pound Burger

The world of fast food marketing is fraught with challenges, but perhaps none more amusing than the tale of A&W's 1/3 pound burger. This story, captured perfectly in a viral Twitter exchange, showcases a humorous yet concerning misunderstanding about basic fractions that led to the burger's downfall in America.

In a screenshot of a Twitter conversation, a user in formal attire holding a book or binder tweeted, "It's true, the 1/3 pounder burger failed in america cuz they thought quarter pounders were bigger." The tweet quickly gained traction with 4 comments, 18 retweets, and 616 likes, sparking a flurry of reactions.

One reply, from a user with an illustration of a character with partially white and partially pink hair, stated simply, "Yeah cause they are????" This comment, dripping with incredulity, garnered 7 comments, 1 retweet, and 38 likes, highlighting the widespread confusion about fractions.

The original poster, in a desperate attempt to clarify, responded with another tweet: "1/3 > 1/4 .33 > .25" Despite their efforts, their tweet received 3 comments, 0 retweets, but an impressive 634 likes, indicating that while many understood the math, others remained baffled.

The final tweet in the exchange, again from the user with the illustrated profile, questioned, "What are those signs?" This tweet, which received 9 comments, 2 retweets, and 281 likes, perfectly encapsulated the misunderstanding that led to the burger's failure.

The comments on the original Imgur post where this image was shared reveal a mixture of amusement and concern. One user commented, "It's a sign you need to go to school," while another suggested, "Should've made it a 2/6 burger or heck even a 3/9 burger." This comment highlights the lengths to which marketers might need to go to ensure their audience understands basic math.

Other users weighed in with their thoughts on the broader implications of the story. One commented, "Well half the people voted for Trump so you got millions too dumb to have any sense," while another noted, "No child left behind. Thanks dubya bush," referencing former President George W. Bush's education policy.

The story of A&W's 1/3 pound burger and its failure due to a simple misunderstanding of fractions is both funny and telling. It underscores the importance of education and the challenges marketers face when presenting seemingly straightforward concepts to the public.

For those interested in the full story, A&W stands by the account as reported in Taubman's book, and in 2021, they even launched a publicity stunt featuring a 3/9 lb burger, as detailed on their blog and YouTube channel. This humorous yet thought-provoking tale serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and public education.