With a strong base of more than 150 stores in the West and growing, the Whataburger restaurant chain has announced plans to substantially expand its operations in the South.
Based in San Antonio, Whataburger’s largest state remains Texas where, to date, it has more than 720 locations. But the chain is seeing a future in the Deep South, particularly Alabama and Georgia where it has announced plans to build and open to 80 new locations between now and 2028.
Founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi and for decades known for its A-frame buildings bearing an iconic orange and white-striped design, Whataburger currently has more than 900 stores, generally ranging in size from 3,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet. Its largest location, at two stories and around 6,000 square feet, is in its home city of Corpus Christi.
Meanwhile, the chain’s presence in the West continues to increase, with three Whataburger locations opened in just the Colorado Springs area in the last year. The company has additionally in recent months unveiled new stores in the metro Phoenix area, as well as the Albuquerque metro area in Rio Rancho.
Altogether, the company currently has nearly 40 stores in Arizona, 4 in Colorado, and a dozen in New Mexico.
The chain got its name and reputation by offering burgers big enough to require a person to use two hands to hold them, thus exclaiming, “What a burger!”
The company in recent years has enjoyed annual revenues more than $2.6 billion.
By Garry Boulard
