Burger King CEO insults British women during speech to students

March 13, 2011

, the CEO of American fast food chain. was caught insulting British women during a speech to students in Chicago. Hees was talking to the university students about his time at the in England.

He compared the United States to Britain by saying "[h]ere the food is good and you are known for your good-looking women." He then spoke about the UK by saying that "[t]he food is terrible and the women are not very attractive."

A spokesman for Burger King released a statement after Hees' comments were reported by the US press. "Mr. Hees apologises if his comment has offended anyone. It [...] was intended as a humorous anecdote to connect with his audience," the statement said.

Hees' remarks have caused controversy in the United Kingdom. , who is a women's campaign officer at the University of Warwick said that "[i]f he views women as potential distractions in academia, I wonder how he views them in the workplace?" She added, "It doesn't make Burger King an attractive employer for women".

Hees joined Burger King in October of last year. He oversees the company's 11,500 stores worldwide.