Cookie purchase makes college scientist a local legend 

Daniel Ibanez is a bat biologist and Whataburger lover — and thanks to an appetite for cookies during college, he once enjoyed a few weeks in the limelight as a local Whataburger hero. 

Chocolate chip champ of Las Cruces, New Mexico 

Late one night, when Daniel was a student at New Mexico State University, he and some colleagues went to Whataburger to get food after doing field work. 

“I'm kind of extroverted, so I got to talking with the cashiers,” he said. They told him they were in the midst of a friendly cookie-selling competition with another store. 

“If I buy enough cookies and help you win the competition, can I get my photo up on the wall?” Daniel asked, and they obliged. 

So Daniel bought 20 Chocolate Chip Cookies and came back the next day with a printed photo. 

“I couldn't wait to tell my friends and family,” Daniel said. “The ridiculousness of my photo being up on the wall at Whataburger was a good laugh for everybody.” 

Friday morning workout crew 

For the past two years, Daniel has worked as a graduate student researcher at the University of Kansas. Lucky for him, Whataburger opened its first Lawrence, Kansas, location last year. 

Now, he and his friends who go to the gym every Friday can get a Whataburger breakfast together. Being in STEM, they took a scientific approach to their pre-workout meals. 

“We're scientists and coders and such,” Daniel said. “We actually made a script that generates the optimal protein and price balance for our Friday mornings.” 

With that kind of dedication, Daniel’s well on his way to being Whataburger-famous in Kansas too.