Whataburger

Whataburger is a regional quick-service hamburger chain built on the concept of made-to-order burgers, fries, and breakfast items served from distinctive orange-and-white striped A-frame buildings. The company was founded on August 8, 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened a single portable stand on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas. The original appeal was straightforward: large, square burgers and extended hours that set the chain apart from competitors at the time. Over seven decades, Whataburger evolved into a cultural fixture across the South and Southwest, particularly in Texas, while maintaining a menu and brand identity that have remained largely consistent since those early days.

A significant milestone came in 2019 when Berkshire Hathaway acquired Whataburger, providing the company with substantial capital and operational support while preserving its regional character and independence. This ownership structure has positioned Whataburger as a credible, well-capitalized operator in the quick-service restaurant space.

As of December 2024, Whataburger operates more than 1,000 restaurants across a 16-state footprint spanning the South and Southwest. The majority of locations remain concentrated in Texas, but the company has built growing clusters in Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. The chain operates through both company-owned and franchised models, with a mix of freestanding drive-thru buildings and inline sites in high-traffic retail corridors.

The company is actively in an expansion phase, with particular momentum in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Recent groundbreakings in North Carolina and ongoing development in Florida, Georgia, and other Southeastern states reflect a clear growth posture. Whataburger targets secondary and tertiary markets where brand recognition is strong and where demand for full-service drive-thru concepts remains robust. Alongside new unit growth, the company is modernizing its existing footprint, building new prototypes that preserve the classic A-frame aesthetic while improving operational efficiency and customer experience.

For real estate professionals, Whataburger represents a stable, creditworthy tenant with strong regional brand equity and consistent demand for drive-thru-optimized sites. The chain typically pursues freestanding parcels with strong visibility and access, often in mixed-use centers, retail corridors, and near residential or employment concentrations. Its scale, long operating history, loyal customer base, and demonstrated expansion activity make it a tenant of interest across its 16-state footprint.