Burger King rolls out black burger for Halloween

Burger King is rolling out an Americanized version of their buzzworthy black burger. (Burger King)

Just in time for Halloween, Burger King has released a new burger that may give some a fright.

The King has teamed with A.1 to create the Halloween Whopper, which features a pitch-black bun that has the flavor of the signature steak sauce baked right in.

Between the buns, the sandwich has “flame-grilled beef topped with melted American cheese, ripe tomatoes, fresh lettuce, creamy mayonnaise, A.1.® Thick and Hearty Sauce, crunchy pickles, and sliced white onions.”

Black Burgers aren't new.  Fans of the fast food chain in Japan have been able to get a similar burger--made with a black bun, black cheese and black sauce tainted with bamboo charcoal and squid ink --for over a year.

But according to the chain's nutritional information, the U.S. version contains various food coloring --like D&C Red #40, Molasses Powder, and FD&C Blue #1-- to achieve its new look.

The decision to release a black burger in the U.S. was largely driven by customer demand, according to a Burger King press release. But while the burger may look pretty wacky, Burger King executives wanted to make sure its taste would still appeal to Western palates.

“We tailored the flavor of the black bun to the American palate with A.1. sauce, a flavor this country loves, and we’re delivering it in a way that’s never been done before by baking it into the bun,” said the chain's chief marketing officer Eric Hirschhorn. "It may look Japanese but it tastes like America.”

The new A.1. Halloween Whopper is now available at participating restaurants nationwide and retails for $4.99.