View source for Whataburger

{{Short description|American fast food restaurant chain}}
{{About|the Texas-based hamburger chain restaurant|the Virginia-based hamburger chain restaurant|What-A-Burger}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Whataburger
| logo = Whataburger logo.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| image = Whataburger-Frisco.jpg
| image_caption = Whataburger in [[Frisco, Texas]]
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1950|8|8}}<br> in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]], [[Texas]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| location_city = [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]
| location_country = U.S.
| area_served = [[Texas]], [[Arizona]], [[Arkansas]], [[New Mexico]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Florida]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Missouri]], [[Kansas]],
[[Nevada]], [[Colorado]], [[Tennessee]], [[Alabama]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]]
| industry = [[Restaurant]]
| genre = [[Fast food]]
| founder = [[Harmon Dobson]], Paul Burton
| owner = [[BDT & MSD Partners]] (majority)<ref name="expand">{{cite web|url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190614/new-whataburger-owners-plan-to-expand-popular-fast-food-chain |date=June 14, 2019 |title=New Whataburger owners plan to expand popular fast-food chain |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref><br />Dobson family (minority)<ref name="growing"/>
| num_employees = 43,000<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiFurio |first1=Dom |last2=McCaffrey |first2=Orla |title=Whataburger's founding family sells controlling stake in iconic Texas chain |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/restaurants/2019/06/14/whataburger-sells-majority-interest-iconic-burger-chain-investment-banking-company |website=Dallas News |access-date=June 15, 2019 |language=en |date=June 14, 2019}}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2021
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
* Ed Nelson ([[President (corporate title)|president]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
* Debbie Stroud ({{abbrlink|EVP|Executive Vice President}} & {{abbrlink|COO|Chief operating officer}})<!-- https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2023/02/whataburger-debbie-stroud-starbucks.html   https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/whataburger-hires-starbucks-executive-17781319.php  -->
* Elena Kraus (EVP & {{abbrlink|CLO|Chief legal officer}})
* Rich Scheffler (EVP & {{abbrlink|CMO|Chief marketing officer}})
* James Turcotte (EVP & {{abbrlink|CDO|Chief development officer}})
* Janelle Sykes (EVP & [[Chief financial officer|CFO]])
* Peggy Rubenzer ({{abbrlink|SVP|Senior Vice President}} & {{abbrlink|CPO|Chief people officer}})
* Alexander Ivannikov (EVP & {{abbrlink|CAO|Chief administrative officer}})
* Joe Shannon (SVP & {{abbrlink|CIO|Chief information officer}})
}}<ref>{{cite press release |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 |via=QSR Magazine |date=February 10, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Whataburger Promotes Three Execs with 41 Years of Experience |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/whataburger-promotes-three-execs-41-years-experience |access-date=March 14, 2023 |via=QSR Magazine |date=March 10, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

<!-- former or previously listed
* Leonard Mazzocco (Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer)
* Mike Gibbs (General Counsel)
* Rob Rodriguez (Senior Vice President and Chief Restaurant Operating Officer)
-->| revenue = {{profit}}$3.340 billion<ref name="expand"/>
| revenue_year = 2022
| locations = 1000 (2024)
| homepage = {{URL|whataburger.com}}
| products = {{flatlist|
* [[Hamburger]]s
* [[Chicken sandwich]]es
* [[French fries]]
* [[Milkshake]]s
}}
}}
[[File:Whataburger_2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Whataburger restaurant in [[Austin, Texas]]]]

'''Whataburger''' is an American regional [[fast food]] restaurant [[Chain store|chain]], headquartered and based in [[San Antonio]], Texas, that specializes in [[hamburger]]s. Founded by [[Harmon Dobson]] and Paul Burton, it opened its first restaurant in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]] in 1950. Family-owned by the Dobsons until 2019,<ref name="majority">{{cite web|url=https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/trending-now/whataburger-sells-majority-interest-to-chicago-investment-company/958281022|last=Leone |first=Jared |date=June 14, 2019|title=Whataburger sells majority interest to Chicago investment company|work=[[WJAX-TV]]|access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref> the chain is now managed by the private equity firm [[BDT & MSD Partners]]; the Dobson family still holds a small stake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-food/whataburger-sells-majority-interest-bdt-capital-partners|last=Klein |first=Danny |date=June 2019|title=Whataburger Sells Majority Interest to BDT Capital Partners|work=QSR magazine|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>

When the company changed ownership in 2019, there were more than 670 locations in Texas and over 150 in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and the [[Southern United States]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Bank-acquires-majority-stake-in-Whataburger-13998032.php|last1=Iszler |first1=Madison|last2=Fechter|first2=Joshua |date=June 14, 2019|title=Whataburger sells majority ownership stake to Chicago investment firm |work=[[San Antonio Express-News|San Antonio Express]]|access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref> of which 126 are [[Franchising|franchised]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 27, 2023 |title=34. Whataburger |url=https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2023/34-whataburger/article_61ed39b0-35f6-11ee-b05e-ef40465d9199.html |access-date=November 27, 2023 |work=[[Franchise Times]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723191226/https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2023/34-whataburger/article_61ed39b0-35f6-11ee-b05e-ef40465d9199.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Whataburger was known for many years for its distinct [[A-Frame house|A-framed]] orange-and-white-stripe-roofed buildings. The first A-frame restaurant, the 24th Whataburger to open, was built in [[Odessa, Texas]] in 1961. Although the company highlighted the restaurant as an unofficial historical landmark,<ref name="landmark">{{cite web| title=First Whataburger "A" Frame Design, Odessa TX |url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM16Q8_First_Whataburger_A_Frame_Design_Odessa_TX |date=February 3, 2007|last=Grands|first=Geo|work=Waymarking.com |access-date=May 24, 2012}}</ref> it was demolished in 2019 and replaced by a new building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs7.com/content/news/FIRST-ON-CBS7-Historic--512125992.html|date=July 3, 2019|title=First on CBS7: Historic Whataburger on Andrews Highway closing|work=[[KOSA-TV]]|access-date=July 10, 2019}}</ref>

The company's focus is on ground beef [[hamburger|burgers]], and includes the Whataburger, the Whataburger Jr., the Triple Meat Whataburger,  the Bacon & Cheese Whataburger, and the Justaburger. Non-beef options, such as the Whatachick'n, are also available. Breakfast is served during morning hours, including biscuits, pork sausage, bacon, and eggs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whataburger.com/locations/557/menu/categories/breakfast-4 | title=Whataburger &#124; Home }}</ref>

==History==
===Early years===
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]].<ref name="tsha"/><ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="tsha">{{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 }}</ref> (The recipe would remain largely unchanged, although ketchup was later removed.)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whataburger.com/locations/1268/menu/categories/burgers-1 |title=Whataburger Menu: Burgers |publisher=Whataburger |access-date=2025-04-14}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tsha"/> 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]].<ref name="ourstory">{{cite web |url=http://www.whataburger.com/Company |title=Our Story |work=Whataburger |access-date=2012-09-12}}</ref>

===1960s and 1970s===
By 1960, there were stores operating across Texas, Florida, and [[Tennessee]].<ref name="ourstory"/> Inspired by his love for flying, Dobson designed the orange and white striped A-frame store in [[Odessa, Texas]], in 1961.<ref name="tsha"/><ref name="landmark"/>

In 1962, the company added French fries and hot pies to its menu.<ref name="ourstory"/> 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.<ref name="tsha"/>

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.<ref name="tsha"/>

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.

===1980s and 1990s===
In 1980, the company opened its 300th store.<ref name="tsha"/><ref name="ourstory" /> In 1982, three [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] stores began [[24/7]] service.<ref name="ourstory" /> In 1983, the company added Breakfast on a Bun, the Whatachick'n sandwich and breakfast taquitos to its menu.<ref name="ourstory"/> In 1987, it opened its 400th store,<ref name="ourstory" /> and also shut down operations in California.<ref>{{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| date=March 7, 2011 |access-date = 2016-01-04 | last1=Thurman | first1=Jim }}</ref>

[[File:Whataburger food.jpg|thumb|A hamburger, [[french fries]], 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.<ref name="ourstory" />

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}}.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The site includes a life-size bronze statue of Harmon Dobson.<ref name="tsha"/><ref name="ourstory"/>

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]]''.

===2000–present===
On August 8, 2000, Whataburger celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 operating stores. In 2001, during the [[Seventy-seventh Texas Legislature|77th Texas Legislative Session]], a bill was passed proclaiming Whataburger to be a Texas Treasure.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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

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."<ref name="pride">{{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-News|San Antonio Express]] |last=Pack |first=William |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=September 12, 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref name="growing">{{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-News|San Antonio Express]] |access-date=September 12, 2012}}</ref>

On May 16, 2019, [[American City Business Journals]] reported that Whataburger confirmed it had hired [[Morgan Stanley]] for a possible sale of the company.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On June 14, 2019, the Dobson family sold its majority stake in the company to [[BDT Capital Partners|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.<ref name="majority" /> The company said that Whataburger's headquarters will remain in San Antonio.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On August 1, 2020, Ed Nelson was promoted to CEO of Whataburger.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

Beginning in 2021, the company expanded to the Midwest with locations around the [[Kansas City metropolitan area]] and the [[Wichita metropolitan area, Kansas|Wichita, Kansas metropolitan area]], with multiple locations in between the cities, and also as far north as [[St. Joseph, Missouri|St. Joseph]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> The first one opened in November in [[Kennesaw, Georgia|Kennesaw]].<ref>{{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 &#124; Here's when|date=November 23, 2022|first=Jessica | last=Moore | work=[[WXIA-TV]]}}</ref>

In April 2023, the town of [[Flower Mound, Texas]] approved zoning for the first Whataburger in the city.<ref>{{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}}</ref> At that time, Flower Mound was the largest city in Texas without a Whataburger.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

As of May 2024, Whataburger has announced plans for six [[North Carolina]] locations and nine [[South Carolina]] locations.<ref name=Muccigrosso>{{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}}</ref>

==Retail products==
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whataburger at H-E-B |url=https://www.heb.com/whataburger-mch |website=HEB |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref>

==Corporate affairs==

=== Leadership and operations ===
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.<ref name="Open">{{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}}</ref> It employed approximately 50,000 people as of 2022.<ref name="current1">{{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}}</ref> 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 officer|chief strategy and supply chain officer]] Alexander Ivannikov.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Headquarters and offices===
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]].<ref name=BizJournalWhatabuy1>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

Previously the corporate headquarters were in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] with the regional offices in Corpus Christi, Houston, Irving, and [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

After [[Hurricane Ike]] hit the Texas Coast in 2008, the company began considering moving its headquarters from Corpus Christi.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Welch>{{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}}</ref><!--November 22, 2008 is a Saturday--> The company chose San Antonio because of a larger talent pool for potential employees, increased protection from hurricanes, and cost-efficient office space.<ref name=BizJournalWhatabuy1/><ref name=BizJournalWhatabuy2>{{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}}</ref>

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 Corporation|Tesoro]], which leased space in the development, was moving to another facility at the time Whataburger bought the building.<ref name=BizJournalWhatabuy1/> Whataburger planned to move 250 of its corporate positions to San Antonio,<ref name=BizJournalWhatabuy1/> with over 60% of the employees coming from Corpus Christi and the rest hired locally.<ref name=BizJournalWhatabuy2/>

==What-A-Burger and similar stores==
{{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, Virginia|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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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}}.<ref name="driveins">{{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}}</ref><ref name="north_carolina">{{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 }}</ref> 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, North Carolina|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

There is also an unrelated local restaurant also called What-A-Burger in [[West Columbia, South Carolina]] founded in 1953.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Sponsorships==
Whataburger has sponsored a variety of music festivals.<ref>{{cite web |title=SponsorPitch – Whataburger |url=https://sponsorpitch.com/sponsors/whataburger |publisher=SponsorPitch |access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref> The company has also sponsored sports through the Whataburger Sports Complex in [[Kilgore, Texas]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> the [[Arizona Soccer Association]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> and [[David Starr (racing driver)|David Starr]] Racing,<ref>{{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 driver)|David Starr]] Racing |access-date=June 11, 2018 |date=March 31, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> among others.

In June 2024, Whataburger signed an endorsement deal with [[Bobby Witt Jr.]], the [[Texas]]-native [[shortstop]] for the [[Kansas City Royals]]; the [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|2024 MLB batting champion]] served as a prominent brand ambassador for Whataburger.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-27 |title=Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. signs endorsement deal with Whataburger |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article289577784.html |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=The Kansas City Star |language=en-CA}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="155px" mode=packed>
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]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Whataburger Field]], home of the [[Corpus Christi Hooks]]
* [[List of hamburger restaurants]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{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}}

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

{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}

{{Portalbar|Food|United States|Texas|Companies|1950s}}

[[Category:1950 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Fast-food hamburger restaurants]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in Texas]]
[[Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1950]]
[[Category:Restaurants in San Antonio]]
[[Category:Companies based in Corpus Christi, Texas]]
[[Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Culture of Texas]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Angelo, Texas]]
[[Category:Hamburger restaurants in the United States]]