Whataburger

In 1950, Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton were looking to open a hamburger restaurant. Dobson's goal was to "make a better burger that took two hands to hold and tasted so good that when you took a bite you would say 'What a burger!'" In June 1950, Dobson was granted the Whataburger trademark. In August of that year they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across from Del Mar College.{{cite web |url=http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/27062-gone-but-not-forgotten-san-antonio-151.html |title=Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio |work=city-data.com forums |date=2007-10-03 }} The store's 25-cent hamburger, called simply the Whataburger, consisted of a quarter-pound hamburger patty on a wide bun with "fresh lettuce, three slices of tomato, four dill pickles, [and] chopped onions," as well as ketchup and mustard.{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/dgw02 |title=Whataburger |work =Handbook of Texas Online |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |last=Jones |first=Cindy |access-date=2012-09-12|date=June 15, 2010 }} (The recipe would remain largely unchanged, although ketchup was later removed.){{cite web |url=https://whataburger.com/locations/1268/menu/categories/burgers-1 |title=Whataburger Menu: Burgers |publisher=Whataburger |access-date=2025-04-14}} Soft drinks and chips were also sold.

In 1951, Burton and Dobson ended their partnership after arguments concerning Dobson's price raise of the burger from 25 to 30 cents. Burton settled with owning the Whataburger franchises in San Antonio, Texas. Months later, prices for burgers were raised to 35 cents. In 1952, Dobson opened a location in Kingsville, Texas, the first store outside of Corpus Christi. In 1953, Joe Andrews, Sr. became the first non-founder franchise owner with a location in Alice, Texas. In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.{{cite web |url=http://www.whataburger.com/Company |title=Our Story |work=Whataburger |access-date=2012-09-12}}

By 1960, there were stores operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Inspired by his love for flying, Dobson designed the orange and white striped A-frame store in Odessa, Texas, in 1961.

In 1962, the company added French fries and hot pies to its menu. In 1963, it expanded to Arizona and totaled 26 stores. In 1965, it estimated selling 15,000 burgers daily in the Texas Coastal Bend area. In 1967, the company commissioned the "Flying W" company logo, and the company had expanded to 40 restaurants in four states.

On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. In 1969, Grace became chairman of the board.

In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. In 1974, the A-frame design was changed to a "Modern A-Frame" to accommodate drive-thrus and larger dining rooms.

In 1980, the company opened its 300th store. In 1982, three Corpus Christi stores began 24/7 service. In 1983, the company added Breakfast on a Bun, the Whatachick'n sandwich and breakfast taquitos to its menu. In 1987, it opened its 400th store, and also shut down operations in California.{{Cite web|title = Top 9 Now-Defunct L.A. Fast Food Restaurant Chains + The Return of #3|url = http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/top-9-now-defunct-la-fast-food-restaurant-chains-the-return-of-3-2383855|website = L.A. Weekly|access-date = 2016-01-04}}

File:Whataburger food.jpg, and a soft drink at a Whataburger in College Station, Texas]]

In 1993, Harmon and Grace Dobson's son, Tom, became the CEO and President. The menu expanded, offering Whatameal packages, cookies and biscuits, and chicken strips. The company celebrated its 500th store opening in 1995, and was noted as the country's eighth-largest hamburger chain.

On May 6, 1999, the company opened "Whataburger by the Bay" on Shoreline Blvd in Corpus Christi. It is the largest Whataburger store at {{convert|6000|sqft|m2}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.caller2.com/autoconv/bizlocal99/bizlocal180.html |title=Whataburger by the Bay set to open Thursday |work=Corpus Christi Online |publisher=Corpus Christi Caller Times |date=1999-05-04 |access-date=2012-09-12 |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113135652/http://www.caller2.com/autoconv/bizlocal99/bizlocal180.html |url-status=dead }} The site includes a life-size bronze statue of Harmon Dobson.

A Whataburger facility, complete with familiar a-frame design and the company logo, appeared routinely in the popular animated TV series King of the Hill.

On August 8, 2000, Whataburger celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 operating stores. In 2001, during the 77th Texas Legislative Session, a bill was passed proclaiming Whataburger to be a Texas Treasure.{{cite news |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/whataburger-declared-texas-treasure|title=Whataburger Declared a Texas Treasure|work=QSR Magazine|date=April 6, 2001|access-date=July 11, 2019}}

In 2003, it hired Austin-based advertising firm McGarrah Jessee,{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2003/04/28/daily49.html |title=McGarrah/Jessee lands a whopper: Whataburger |work=Austin Business Journal |date=May 2, 2003 |access-date=September 12, 2012}} which created an advertising campaign featuring the gravelly voice of Ohio actor William Bassett. In 2007, the company achieved 700 stores in ten states with annual revenue of $1 billion.

In October 2011, the company changed its television ads from Bassett's voiceovers to "documentary-style ads employees and customers using their own words to describe what makes Whataburger special."{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Whataburger-ads-Buh-bye-Texas-voice-hello-2204284.php#photo-1650899| title=Whataburger ads: Buh-bye Texas voice, hello documentaries|work=San Antonio Express |last=Pack |first=William |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=September 12, 2012}} By the end of the year, it had 728 stores operating in ten states. The Dobson family owned 611 stores, and the other "117 are owned and operated by about 25 franchisees."{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Whataburger-sales-and-stores-are-growing-3475618.php |title=Whataburger sales and stores are growing |last=Hendricks |first=David |date=April 11, 2012|work=San Antonio Express |access-date=September 12, 2012}}

On May 16, 2019 American City Business Journals reported that Whataburger confirmed it has hired Morgan Stanley for a possible sale of the company.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/05/16/6-billion-for-whataburger-chain-hires-morgan.html?|last=Salchert |first=Ryan |date=May 16, 2019|title=$6 billion for Whataburger? Chain hires Morgan Stanley to explore sale|work=Austin Business Journal|access-date=May 17, 2019}}

On June 14, 2019, the Dobson family sold its majority stake in the company to BDT Capital, a Chicago-based investment company. The family cited long term expansion plans as one reason for the sale. Much of the current leadership will remain, but they will take on new roles within the company. Ed Nelson, currently serving as chief financial officer and controller, was promoted to president. The company said that Whataburger's headquarters will remain in San Antonio.{{cite web |last=Lou|first=Michelle |title=Whataburger sells majority ownership stake to Chicago company|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/14/business/whataburger-majority-stake-bdt-capital-partners-trnd/index.html|date=June 14, 2019|work=CNN|access-date=June 14, 2019}}

On August 1, 2020, Ed Nelson was promoted to CEO of Whataburger.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/whataburger-promotes-ed-nelson-ceo|title=Whataburger promotes Ed Nelson to CEO|date=August 3, 2020|work=Nation's Restaurant News | first=Ron | last=Ruggless }}

Beginning in 2021, the company expanded to the Midwest with locations around the Kansas City metropolitan area and the Wichita, Kansas metropolitan area, with multiple locations in between the cities, and also as far north as St. Joseph{{cite web |title=Will Whataburger be coming to Wichita? Patrick Mahomes joins chain to bring his favorite restaurant to fans across Chiefs Kingdom |url=https://fox4kc.com/business/patrick-mahomes-joins-whataburger-to-bring-favorite-restaurant-to-fans-across-chiefs-kingdom/ |website=KSN.com |date=August 10, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120233325/https://fox4kc.com/business/patrick-mahomes-joins-whataburger-to-bring-favorite-restaurant-to-fans-across-chiefs-kingdom/ |url-status=dead }} On January 5, 2022, the first of 8 locations in Middle Tennessee opened in Hermitage, ending a decades long absence in the Nashville area.

In March 2022, Whataburger announced it would be opening locations in the Atlanta metropolitan area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/04/04/whataburger-moving-into-atlanta-area-with-8-new-locations/|title=Whataburger moving into Atlanta area with 8 new locations|first=Rebecca|last=Salinas|date=April 4, 2022|work=KSAT-TV}} The first one opened in November in Kennesaw.{{Cite news|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/life/food/whataburger-locations-atlanta/85-31e72758-a33e-4da9-9868-ea59d49e41ec|title=First Whataburger location to open in metro Atlanta | Here's when|date=November 23, 2022|first=Jessica | last=Moore | work=WXIA-TV}}

In April 2023, the town of Flower Mound, Texas approved zoning for the first Whataburger in the city.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-07 |title=Local City Approves Its First Whataburger |url=https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/flower-mound-highland-village-argyle/government/2023/04/04/flower-mound-council-approves-construction-of-towns-first-whataburger/ |website=Community Impact |language=en-US}} At that time, Flower Mound was the largest city in Texas without a Whataburger.{{Cite web |title=The Largest City In Texas That Doesn't Have A Whataburger Is Finally Getting A Whataburger |url=https://lonestar925.iheart.com/content/2023-04-07-largest-whataburger-less-city-in-texas-is-finally-getting-a-whataburger/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Lone Star 92.5 |language=en}}

As of May 2024, Whataburger has announced plans for six North Carolina locations and nine South Carolina locations.{{cite news |last=Muccigrosso |first=Catherine |date=2024-04-24 |title=A third Whataburger in Charlotte? Records show latest expansion for Texas burger chain |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article287944005.html |work=The Charlotte Observer |access-date=2024-05-24}}

Due to the success of selling Whataburger sauces at H-E-B since 2014, the company announced it will offer 1-pound packages of bacon at H-E-B and Central Market stores.{{cite web |url=https://www.chron.com/business/bizfeed/article/Whataburger-s-Hickory-Smoked-Bacon-now-sold-at-12950962.php| title = Whataburger's Hickory Smoked Bacon now sold at H-E-B stores|date=2018-05-29|access-date=2018-05-31}}

Whataburger sells its line of condiments in 14oz and 20oz squeeze bottles. It also sells jars of its picante sauce and salsa verde, as well as boxed pancake mix.{{cite web |title=Whataburger at H-E-B |url=https://www.heb.com/whataburger-mch |website=HEB |access-date=11 January 2019}}

Whataburger generated more than $3 billion in revenue in 2022 at more than 900 restaurant locations in 14 states, as well as from the sale of various retail products in grocery stores throughout the U.S.{{cite news |last1=Cullinan |first1=Mike |title=Open for Business: Whataburger |url=https://sbj.net/stories/open-for-business-whataburger,83048 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |work=Springfield Business Journal |date=January 27, 2023 |language=en}} It employed approximately 50,000 people as of 2022.{{cite news |last1=Rangel |first1=Nina |title=San Antonio-based Whataburger continues expansion with three new Missouri locations |url=https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink/san-antonio-based-whataburger-continues-expansion-with-three-new-missouri-locations-29147991 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |work=San Antonio Current |date=June 16, 2022 |language=en}} The company is led by president and CEO Ed Nelson, executive vice president and chief operating officer Debbie Stroud, executive vice president and chief marketing officer Rich Scheffler, executive vice president and chief legal officer Elena Kraus, executive vice president and chief financial officer Janelle Sykes, executive vice president and chief development officer James Turcotte, senior vice president and chief people officer Peggy Rubenzer, senior vice president and chief information officer Joe Shannon, and chief strategy and supply chain officer Alexander Ivannikov.{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Whataburger Hires Debbie Stroud as EVP and COO |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/whataburger-hires-debbie-stroud-evp-and-coo |access-date=February 20, 2023 |work=QSR Magazine |date=February 10, 2023 |language=en}}

In 2009 the company moved from its long time base in Corpus Christi to a new headquarters at 300 Concord Plaza Drive, a {{convert|140000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} building in San Antonio.{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/03/30/daily1.html |title=Whataburger buys San Antonio office building for new headquarters |newspaper=San Antonio Business Journal |page=1 |date=March 30, 2009 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/business/article/Whataburger-to-move-headquarters-to-San-Antonio-1759992.php|title=Whataburger to move headquarters to San Antonio|author=Creighton A. Welch|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=2008-11-22}}

Previously the corporate headquarters were in Corpus Christi with the regional offices' in Corpus Christi, Houston, Irving, and Phoenix.{{cite web|url=http://www.whataburger.com/contact_corp.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021201102744/http://www.whataburger.com/contact_corp.cfm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2002|date=July 5, 2007|title=Contact Us, Whataburger inc|work=Whataburger|access-date=July 11, 2019}}

After Hurricane Ike hit the Texas Coast in 2008, the company began considering moving its headquarters from Corpus Christi.{{cite web |last=Vaughan |first=Vicki |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/6740848.html |title=Whataburger adjusting to economy |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=2009-11-26 |access-date=2012-09-12}} On Friday November 21, 2008, the company announced it was permanently moving to San Antonio, and that the Corpus Christi office would remain open indefinitely to help ease the transition.{{cite web |last=Welch |first=Creighton A. |url =http://www.chron.com/business/article/Whataburger-to-move-headquarters-to-San-Antonio-1759992.php |title=Whataburger to move headquarters to San Antonio |work=Houston Chronicle |publisher=San Antonio Express-News |date=2008-11-22 |access-date=2012-09-12}} The company chose San Antonio because of a larger talent pool for potential employees, increased protection from hurricanes, and cost-efficient office space.{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/03/30/daily1.html?page=2 |title=Whataburger buys San Antonio office building for new headquarters |newspaper=San Antonio Business Journal |page=2 |date=March 30, 2009}}

In March 2009 the company purchased the Concord Plaza development from HDG Mansur. The company stated that it chose Concord Plaza for its proximity to neighborhoods and schools attractive to its employees, and its proximity to San Antonio International Airport. Tesoro, which leased space in the development, was moving to another facility at the time Whataburger bought the building. Whataburger planned to move 250 of its corporate positions to San Antonio, with over 60% of the employees coming from Corpus Christi and the rest hired locally.

{{see also|What-A-Burger}}

Whataburger is sometimes confused with the What-A-Burger (hyphenated) chain of family-operated restaurants in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The first What-A-Burger store opened in 1950 by entrepreneur Jack Branch near Newport News, Virginia, at Newport News Circle (intersection of Jefferson Avenue and U.S. Route 258) in the former Warwick County. What-A-Burger and Whataburger were unaware of each other's existence several states apart until around 1970, when there was some correspondence.{{citation needed|date=September 2012|reason=what correspondence}} However, no legal actions took place until 2002–2003, when both companies sued each other over the alleged trademark infringement.{{cite web |url=http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=2003732256FSupp2d476_1678.xml&docbase=CSLWAR2-1986-2006 |title=What-a-Burger of Virginia v. Whataburger Inc. |date=2003-04-03 |work=leagle.com }} The Court of Appeals, in 2004, eventually decided the Texas Whataburger had a legitimate trademark; but the Virginia chain did not harm the much larger Texas-based chain in any way or cause any reasonable public confusion: "There is no evidence — nor can we imagine any — that consumers are currently likely to be confused about whether the burgers served by Virginia W-A-B come from Texas or Virginia."{{cite court |litigants=What-A-Burger v. Whataburger |vol=357 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=441 |pinpoint=

|court=United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. |year=2004 |url=https://openjurist.org/357/f3d/441/what-a-burger-of-virginia-incorporated-v-whataburger-incorporated-of-corpus-christi-texas}}

A second restaurant chain based in North Carolina, named What-A-Burger Drive-In, owned by Eb and Michael Bost, was not a party to the lawsuit, but under case law procedures, it would also retain its name. It visibly numbered their stores starting from #1 in Kannapolis, North Carolina, to #15 in Concord, North Carolina, six of which remain in operation {{as of|2009|3|lc=yes|df=yes}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.agilitynut.com/eateries/ncdi2.html

| title=North Carolina drive-ins |work=RoadsideArchitecture.com |last=Seltzer |first=Debra Jane |access-date=2012-09-12}}{{cite web |url=http://cabarruslivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cabarrus_Living_MarApr09_for_web2.pdf |title=What-A-Place |last=Mason |first=Sharon |work=Cabarrus Living |date=Mar–Apr 2009 |pages=22–23 |access-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113214045/http://cabarruslivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cabarrus_Living_MarApr09_for_web2.pdf |url-status=usurped }} The Texas chain filed suit in federal court June 11, 2024 after its announcement that it would add North Carolina locations. The suit alleges three restaurants located in Mount Pleasant, Norwood, North Carolina and Raleigh in North Carolina started using the name "What-A-Burger #13" after the Texas chain's copyright registration.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/texas-based-whataburger-sues-nc-entities-trademark-infringement/ZRX4FRBR4BGYZN3VHPZRQ4Y6TI/|title=Texas-based Whataburger sues NC What-A-Burgers for trademark infringement|last1=Allen|first1=Jessica|last2=brand|first2=Eli|work=WSOC-TV|date=June 11, 2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}}

There is also an unrelated local restaurant also called What-A-Burger in West Columbia, South Carolina founded in 1953.{{Cite web |title=The What-A-Burger in Columbia is not the one you think |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/business/article259482489.html |website=The State}}

Whataburger has sponsored a variety of music festivals.{{cite web |title=SponsorPitch – Whataburger |url=https://sponsorpitch.com/sponsors/whataburger |publisher=SponsorPitch |access-date=June 11, 2018}} The company has also sponsored sports through the Whataburger Sports Complex in Kilgore, Texas,{{cite news |title=Sports complex secures Whataburger as sponsor |url=http://www.kilgorenewsherald.com/stories/sports-complex-secures-whataburger-as-sponsor,122464 |access-date=June 11, 2018 |publisher=Kilgore News Herald |date=March 9, 2018}} the Arizona Soccer Association,{{cite web |title=Sponsorship of AYSA |url=http://www.azyouthsoccer.org/partners/sponsorship_of_aysa/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331134754/http://www.azyouthsoccer.org/partners/sponsorship_of_aysa/ |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |publisher=Arizona Soccer Association |access-date=June 11, 2018}}{{cbignore}} and David Starr Racing,{{cite web |title=David Starr Partners with Whataburger at Texas Motor Speedway |url=https://www.facebook.com/DavidStarrRacing/posts/567046013393858 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/77300503913/567046013393858 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|publisher=David Starr Racing |access-date=June 11, 2018 |date=March 31, 2014}}{{cbignore}} among others.

In June 2024, Whataburger signed an endorsement deal with Bobby Witt Jr., the Texas-native shortstop for the Kansas City Royals; the 2024 MLB batting champion served as a prominent brand ambassador for Whataburger.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-28 |title=Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. signs deal with Whataburger |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/06/28/bobby-witt-jr-whataburger-endorsement |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-27 |title=Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. signs endorsement deal with Whataburger |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/kansas-city-royals-star-bobby-171130193.html |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-CA}} On 14 December 2024, a pop-up replica of Whataburger rebranded as “Wittaburger”, was present at the wedding reception of Bobby Witt Jr. and his wife Maggie Black.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=Bobby Witt Jr.'s Dallas wedding reception featured this iconic Texas-based restaurant |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2024/12/19/bobby-witt-jrs-dallas-wedding-reception-featured-this-iconic-texas-based-restaurant/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=Whata-wedding? More like 'Wittaburger' wedding! DFW native, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has Whataburger themed reception |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/bobby-witt-jr-whataburger-wedding/287-d0fd28a5-e976-4aea-9558-3556609f4b14 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=wfaa.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-19 |title=Royals Star Bobby Witt Jr. Included Popular Burger Chain at His Wedding |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/royals-star-bobby-witt-jr-included-popular-burger-chain-wedding |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=SI |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-19 |title=Royals Star Bobby Witt Jr. Included Popular Burger Chain at His Wedding |url=https://fox59.com/sports/sports-illustrated/1fee8891/royals-star-bobby-witt-jr-included-popular-burger-chain-at-his-wedding/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Fox 59 |language=en-US}}

File:Whataburgerfries.jpg|Whataburger French fries

File:Whataburger Field Sign Corpus Christi Texas.jpg|Whataburger Field sign in Corpus Christi, Texas

File:Whataburger (3247602002).jpg|Whataburger restaurant at night

File:Whataburger.jpeg|A Whataburger at an unknown location

File:Whataburger,_Thomasville_Rd,_Tallahassee.jpg|Thomasville Road, Tallahassee

File:Whataburger_Irving_TX.jpg|Irving, Texas

• Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks
• List of hamburger restaurants

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite news

|title=Waiting at the Border: Do You Want Fries With That? Waiting at the Whataburger

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/us/border-language-immigration.html

|newspaper=The New York Times

|date=May 9, 2019

|first=Mitchell

|last=Ferman}}

{{Commons category|Whataburger}}

• {{Official website|http://whataburger.com/}}
• [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8WKQimdJsoc ”Ode to Whataburger”], spoken word poem by Amir Safi

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