The Burger King McLamore Foundation's Burger King Scholars program awards scholarships ranging from $1,000 up to a $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Award (given to three students a year), based on GPA, work experience, extracurriculars, financial need, and community service. In 2025, nearly 4,500 recipients shared over $4.8 million combined; the foundation's stated annual goal is $7 million or more (roughly one scholarship per BK restaurant), and the applicant/recipient pool spans three groups -- Burger King employees, their family members, and the general public of high school seniors -- so real competitiveness for a non-employee applicant differs from the aggregate figures. The next cycle opens October 15, 2026 and closes December 15, 2026 (or at 30,000 applications, whichever comes first).
Eligibility
DemographicsAward pool and recipient count are shared across three applicant categories -- Burger King employees, their family members, and general high school seniors -- actual odds for a non-employee applicant differ from the aggregate figures.
Applying
Range $1,000-$60,000; the $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Award goes to 3 students/year. 2025 actual: ~4,500 recipients shared $4.8M+ combined (stated annual goal is $7M+). Cumulative since 2000: 54,000+ students, ~$64M total. Pool spans BK employees, their families, and general-public seniors combined -- non-employee odds differ from the aggregate.