McDonald's To End Relationship With Ketchup Maker Heinz: Reports

(RTTNews) - Fast food giant McDonald's Corp. (MCD), has planned to end its many decades old relationship with ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co, according to media reports. The restauranteur wanted to end ties with the ketchup company reportedly because the firm is now led by Bernardo Hees, the former chief executive of hamburger rival Burger King Worldwide Inc. Hees also serves at Miami-based Burger King, as its vice chairman.

The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company has started a process of moving to other vendors. The switch would be more visible overseas than in the United States, as McDonald's only serves Heinz ketchup with fries in two domestic markets; Pittsburgh and Minneapolis, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quoted. Hunt's, owned by ConAgra Foods Inc, and Del Monte, could be benefited by the move of McDonald's from Heinz.

McDonald's however is confident that there will not be a negative impact to its business, and that the customers would continue to get the same taste benefits.