Breaking Barriers: The Women Leading Whataburger
Building on a Pioneering Legacy
We do things differently at Whataburger, and that includes being one of few companies in our industry with a quartet of women leading in the C-Suite — including President and CEO Debbie Stroud.
In a recent feature, QSR Magazine interviewed the women on Whataburger's executive leadership team, who all say they're following a trail blazed by Grace Dobson, who resisted pressures to step down and led the company for decades after the passing of her husband, founder Harmon Dobson.
“The nontraditional decision she made in the ’60s is a huge inspiration to the women of Whataburger,” said Peggy Rubenzer, Chief People Officer. “In each of our lives, we’ve had to make nontraditional decisions as well. Her strength of character is motivational for anyone who knows that story — and we all know it.”
Each with their own unique backgrounds and experiences, they bring perspectives as fresh as the ingredients our restaurants serve.
Read the full QSR Magazine story, and see some quotes from each of the women featured below. Note: Since this story was first published, Debbie Stroud became Whataburger President and CEO.
Debbie Stroud
President & CEO
“My best career growth happened when I broadened my expertise and became more of a generalist. I later realized I was becoming more courageous and confident in myself, which is empowering.”
Elena Kraus
Chief Legal Officer
“I tell myself and my team to return to the core of ourselves and our organization. If we stay true to our values and integrity, even in shifting sands, we can maintain our calm and composure.”
Peggy Rubenzer
Chief People Officer
“I wanted my boys to see their mother as a strong, thoughtful, and nurturing professional, which kept me on track. Growing up as one of nine kids, seeing my mother manage that became a great role model for me later.”
Janelle Sykes
Chief Financial Officer
“My team tells me how refreshing it is to see women in leadership roles. Now, because of our she-suite, they see multiple females at the top. We each have our distinct personality and style, but we’re successful in our own ways.”
Whataburger serves up Goodness 24/7 with a made-to-order, customizable menu of burgers and other favorites delivered just like you like it. Born in Texas and headquartered in San Antonio, we’re celebrating 76 flavorful years of big bites, bold flavors, and even bigger fan love. We’ve grown to over 1,100 restaurants across 17 states, with original-recipe products now found in grocery aisles across the country. Our secret sauce (besides that Fancy Ketchup) is our Family Members - real people serving up real hospitality and meaningful connections in the communities we call home. We’ve landed on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter list, USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and Newsweek’s America’s Best of the Best. To learn more, shop the Whatastore, or find your nearest location, visit Whataburger.com - or download our app on iOS or Android. Hungry for more? Discover what keeps fans coming back by diving into real stories from Whataburger super fans at stories.whataburger.com.