Whataburger has been in business for seven decades, and they’re celebrating their 70th anniversary this year.
“From all of us to all of you, thank you for the last 70 years,” said Whataburger CEO Ed Nelson. “And get ready for the next 70. With the help of our tenured leadership team, the Whataburger family and BDT Capital Partners, the brand is taking innovative steps to meet the needs of the next generation of Whataburger fans— while still holding true to the things that matter to our longtime customers. Stay safe. We can’t wait to celebrate in person when the time is right.”
At its founding Aug. 8, 1950, Harmon Dobson opened up the very first Whataburger in a portable metal building in Corpus Christi. Today, CEO Ed Nelson helped launch the delivery of customized Whataburgers to customers’ front doors.
Whataburger has 46,000 employees who helped launch curbside and delivery service. The company also announced breaking sales records; increased operations; establishment of seven new restaurants with nine more planned by the end of 2020) promoting of the company’s president to CEO; launched a new, modern restaurant design, hired hundreds of new restaurant team members, and served up three new burgers, according to a press release from Whataburger.
Whataburger awarded $1 million in scholarships to employees and their dependents, the release read, and they are planning to build 35 restaurants (25 company and 10 franchise) in 2021, expanding into Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. They’ve also announced the unveiling of the Whataburger Food Truck last week.
Community programs include Whataburger Feeding Student Success, which includes building resource rooms at colleges and universities, providing for the Whataburger Feeding Student Success Scholarship Fund that awards scholarships to students, and its “Hyperlocal Community Involvement” about which the release stated, “It takes a village. Whataburger will continue its long legacy of partnering with local schools, foundations, organizations and nonprofits to lend time, treasure and talent as they support students in achieving success.”