The chain has struggled with a decline in sales since 2008. It lost its No. 2 spot to Wendy's in March.

The new branding is supposed to be a fresh start. But just as things were looking up, a spot featuring Mary J. Blige outraged consumers with its racial stereotypes.

Most brands can move past controversies like this with a heartfelt apology and a donation to charity. For Burger King, however, this is just the latest is a string of marketing blunders it's committed over the past four years. Coupled with the recession and the growing success of McDonald's and Wendy's, Burger King couldn't be in more trouble.