Burger King's Social Distancing Crowns Are Ridiculous and We Want One

Donning a Burger King crown makes for a fond childhood fast food memory (up there with the most classic McDonald's Happy Meal toys). But now, this nostalgia-inducing headgear has received a modern upgrade for adults to encourage social distancing in the age of COVID-19.

Burger King recently turned to social media to show off its new "social-distance crowns"—a massively wide hat intended to keep the wearer the recommended six-feet apart from other Burger King patrons. "We wanted to reinforce the rules of high safety and hygiene standards that the BK restaurants are following," a Burger King spokesperson said, according to Business Insider. "The do-it-yourself social-distance crown was a fun and playful way to remind our guests to practice social distancing while they are enjoying food in the restaurants."

The crowns don't appear to quite reach the recommend six-foot circumference (unless both parties are wearing them), but they'll certainly cause people to keep their distance… if only so they can take in the ridiculous cardboard hat in all its visual glory. Unfortunately, however, this funny coronavirus-related promotion is currently only available in Germany—so don't expect to get your hands on one without some extremely unnecessary travel. According to a BK representative, the crowns were launched to acknowledge that, after almost two months, German restaurants are now finally being allowed to reopen in some areas for limited dine-in service.

And these German crowns aren't the only silly spin on social distancing offered at international Burger King locations. Last week, Burger King Italy launched an ad for the "Social Distancing Whopper"—a version of the burger featuring three-times the usual amount of raw onions that "helps others stay away."

But meanwhile, back in the States, Burger King seems content to focus its attention on getting restaurants back open after Jose Cil—CEO of Burger King's parent company Restaurant Brands International—released the chain's reopening plan earlier this month.