Stories & News | Whataburger

Fierce Rivals to Fast Friends

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:32:39 -0500

Sometimes, friendships click from the first meeting.

For Noah Lozano and Alan Cruz, trumpet-playing rivals in the middle school band competition scene, not so much.

“We didn’t like each other,” Alan said.

“At all,” Noah agreed.

But when Noah and Alan found themselves in the same mariachi group at PSJA North Early College High School in Pharr, Texas, rivalry became an alliance.

“He's like a brother to me,” Noah said.

“What made him different from everyone else for me is that I could rely on him for everything,” Alan agreed.

The friends bonded over their love for mariachi, the challenges of navigating high school in a pandemic, and then, their jobs at Whataburger.

Alan started as a Team Member at the restaurant down the street from their high school, and he talked Noah into joining him soon after.

“Nobody does it like Whataburger,” Alan said. “Whataburger is always there for me.”

"I have always had a passion to make this unit better, in every sense,” said Noah. “That is why I feel so prideful about this. I love all the opportunities they give me, I love all the people that work here… I love this job."

Alan and Noah’s pride in their friendship, music and Whataburger all came together in harmony last summer when the mariachi team was returning home from a performance.

The choice of Whataburger for lunch was unanimous. But for Alan and Noah, not just any Whataburger would do. It had to be *their* Whataburger.

Once there, the group wasn’t about to just eat and run. Noah convinced the mariachi directors that an impromptu concert was in order. Soon, the dining room echoed with gritos.

“It was crazy,” said Alan, who has become the group’s lead vocalist. “Everybody just started clapping and cheering. For weeks afterward, I was getting compliments.”

For Operating Partner Monica Esparza, the shared music was a natural outpouring of community – forged in teamwork, trust and a rivalry that now hits all the right notes.

“They challenge each other, which is the best part,” Esparza said. “Now, they are climbing the ladder together. You want to show off what you create every day – the environment, the culture, the people that you work with – and it starts with their pride.”

Orange Spirit Week 2021: Fundraiser Helps to Provide More than 3 Million Meals

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 07:30:00 -0500

Whataburger calls its annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves Orange Spirit Week. This year, in honor of its 71^st anniversary, Whataburger partnered with Feeding America^® to help provide more than 3 million meals through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Customers who donated $1 during the first ever system-wide fundraiser got a free Whataburger coupon for their generosity. Money raised went to to Feeding America and its member food banks in local communities. It’s all in support of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company’s signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.

“Feeding America is doing such amazing work through their network of food banks. All of us at Whataburger are looking forward to joining our customers in showing support for them during Orange Spirit Week,” said Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO. “We were proud to invite our friends and neighbors to visit their local Whataburger throughout the week and donate to help keep our children nourished and on the path to bright futures.”

The magic of Whataburger started on Aug. 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, “What a burger!” Today, Whataburger is known for awesome burgers, big flavor and the brand’s pride in taking care of its guests, communities and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created.

Whataburger Serves San Antonio Teachers at Local Appreciation Event to Gear Up for Back to School

The 2021 celebration kicked off in San Antonio on Sunday, Aug. 8, with a drive-through teacher appreciation event. During the week, Whataburger employees, known as Family Members, also assembled and delivered more than 4,000 school supply bags to local organizations across 10 states.

Whataburger Celebrates Orange Spirit Week 2021, Its 71st Anniversary Celebration, With Its First-Ever Systemwide Fundraiser to Benefit Feeding America®

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Whataburger calls its annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves Orange Spirit Week. This year, in honor of its 71^st anniversary, Whataburger is partnering with Feeding America^® to help provide at least 2.5 million meals* through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

From Sunday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 15, customers who donate a minimum of $1 at any of the more than 850 Whataburger restaurants across these 10 states will receive a thank-you coupon for a free Whataburger with the purchase of a medium fry and 32-ounce drink.

Every dollar donated during the week-long fundraiser will go to Feeding America and its member food banks in the local communities where the money is given. It’s all in support of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company’s signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.

“Feeding America is doing such amazing work through their network of food banks. All of us at Whataburger are looking forward to joining our customers in showing support for them during Orange Spirit Week,” said Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO. “We invite our friends and neighbors to visit their local Whataburger throughout the week and donate to help keep our children nourished and on the path to bright futures.”

The 2021 celebration will kick off in San Antonio on Sunday, Aug. 8, with a drive-through teacher appreciation event. During the week, Whataburger employees, known as Family Members, will assemble and deliver 10,000 school supply bags to local organizations across 10 states.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Whataburger guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 as a result of the Promotion, with no maximum set.

To Whataburger With Love

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:52:44 -0600

At Whataburger, we like to say we have the best guests in the business.

They brighten our day with their greetings. Bring us smiles with their stories. And make the Whataburger Family complete with their kindness.

They also write us letters. A lot of letters.

And because of that, we know that Whataburger has played a starring role in more than a few love stories, helped brighten some really bad days, and even given some folks a safe place to try something new.

Check out these real letters, from real customers…who really made our day.

She lost her mother's wedding ring at Whataburger. These Family Members were determined to get it back.

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 09:47:02 -0600

It all started with Sara Ann Luther’s broken heart. But, thankfully, there was a Whataburger happily-ever-after in store.

Treasure Hunt

On a June afternoon in Burnet, Texas, two men and one woman gathered in the sun-baked parking lot and methodically slit open bags of garbage from the Whataburger dumpster.

Together, they shook out each bag and sifted through half-full tubs of Spicy Ketchup, stained tray liners, and cups of melting ice.

All on the hunt for a ring that had slipped off Sara Ann Luther’s finger.

The simple diamond solitaire engagement ring had belonged to Luther’s mom, who died in 2014. Luther’s dad purchased it in 1964 with money he earned selling raccoon hides.

“I’ve worn it on my finger every day for almost five years,” Luther says.

But that day, it went missing after she and her husband, Jim, ate lunch at Whataburger.

A Call for Help

Panicked, Luther returned to the restaurant to search for the ring. She was ready to roll up her sleeves and scour every inch of the restaurant.

But General Manager Shaun Dilworth told her he would do the dirty work. He called in his wife, Jessica Featherston, to help. And Janos Bajnoczy, the assistant manager, dove in, too.

It was a no-brainer for Dilworth. “My wife wears a ring that was passed down from my grandparents,” he says. “If she lost it, I would want someone to help us look for it.”

Together, the three of them spread cardboard around the dumpster, pulled out the garbage bags and sifted through the day’s trash.

“I’ve had experience doing this,” Dilworth says. About a year ago, he helped find a customer’s dentures in the garbage. “I understand how expensive or how meaningful things are to people. And if it happens to me, I hope the good karma will come back to me.”

But despite hours of searching, the ring did not turn up.

That’s when Bajnoczy took one more look in the women’s restroom. And there, tucked in the folds of the plastic trash bag, was the ring.

“They could have just said that was bad luck for me and not looked,” Luther says. “But they did what they said they would do. And they did it with so much care, and they don’t even know me.”

The customers are what Whataburger’s all about, Dilworth says. “If it weren’t for the customers, we wouldn’t be here as a business.”

Red Raider basketball coach knows who’s there 24/7. (Hint: It’s us.)

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:59:00 -0500

Red Raider basketball coach Chris Beard knows how to motivate. With Whataburger!

He proposed a trade with a bride-to-be who asked him to officiate her wedding: You fill the student section with 4,500 Red Raiders at the season opener on Nov. 5, and I’ll bring Whataburger for your wedding guests.

Good mental game there, Coach.

Update: They did it! All 4,500 seats of the Red Raiders student section at the United Supermarkets Arena were filled for the November 5 season opener against Eastern Illinois, where the Raiders won 85-60. Thanks to 1,500 custom Texas Tech Whataburger table tents, 4,500 taquito coupons, and all of you – Rylee and Justin will have Coach Beard at their dream wedding!

Even when he’s not trying to drum up support for his team, Beard is all about loving Whataburger.

He’s shared his taste for shakes and taquitos (extra cheese when no one’s watching), and we know he likes a #1 with mustard, pickles, and cheese only. With an unsweet tea to wash it down. And maybe a milkshake.

He riffed about all the orders in a media interview last year.

He digs the 24/7.

Especially the people-watching.

Because we have the best guests – all the time. And Beard has watched it all from his corner booth at 3 a.m.

With his milkshake.

Red Raider basketball coach strikes a bargain with a bride-to-be

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:58:38 -0500

Rylee Albracht and Justin Joyce are counting on 4,498 of their closest friends at Texas Tech to make their dream wedding a reality.

If the 4,500 seats in the Red Raiders student section are full for the season opener on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Tech basketball coach Chris Beard says he will be at the couple’s wedding in May. Even better: He’ll bring Whataburger for all the guests.

Guns up! These diehard fans cheered Beard and his team on their Final Four journey last year in Minneapolis.

“We’ve invested a lot in that team,” Albracht says. “We’ve loved seeing Coach Beard transform this program.”

So just a few days after getting engaged to her high school sweetheart, Albracht was joking/not joking when she tweeted her request to have the charismatic Beard officiate their wedding.

“Hey @CoachBeardTTU, how many retweets for you to officiate my wedding?” she asked.

The Whataburger-loving coach wrote back with some conditions. “Our first game of the season is Tues November 5. If the student section is 100% filled with 4500 students, I will be at your wedding and will provide Whataburger for everyone there.”

“When he responded, I was blown away,” says Albracht, a junior kinesiology major. She and Joyce, a senior kinesiology major, are rolling with the twist in wedding planning and their sudden celebrity status.

"I’ve learned to say, ‘yes, Honey,’ ” Joyce told Beard in the coach’s fireside chat this week when the coach asked about wedding planning.

He also told the coach he’s confident the student section will fill up with 4,500 Red Raiders.

Dust off your wedding duds for May 2020, Coach Beard! We can help with the Whataburger for the 450 guests on the list.

And no matter who officiates the ceremony, Albracht and Joyce are looking forward to tying the knot. The two, who met through friends at their rival high schools in the Texas Panhandle, have dated since Albracht was a freshman in high school.

By her junior year in high school, she knew they would say “I do.” Now she’s hoping their nuptials will have a special Red Raider and Whataburger Orange twist.

Melanie Britten Photography

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 14:00:00 -0500

What’s the only thing cooler than custom Whataburger boots? A first-person tour of the Justin Boots factory floor in El Paso, Texas, to see how they’re made.

Check out this behind-the-scenes video for a look at the craftsmanship, effort and attention to detail that goes into each and every pair.

Wondering about the workmanship? Just check out the numbers!

5.4 square feet of leather
105 steps in the production process
12,488 stitches in the Whataburger logo
120 days to make

Visit whatastore.com today to score your pair of this limited run of Whataburger-branded Justin Boots. Available in both men’s and women’s versions for just $249.99.

Highway Hero

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:19:00 -0500

For high school students, there’s nothing more exciting than heading to the beach for a spring break trip with your friends. Bags are packed, flip flops and sunglasses are donned, and you’re ready to hit the road … until all that excitement comes to a slow rolling stop on the side of the highway.

That’s what happened to a youth group from Grand Prairie, Texas, whose bus broke down on their way to South Padre Island, dooming them to hours of boredom (and hunger) on the side of the road.

Until a quick-thinking group leader pulled up the Whataburger app, that is. And a dedicated Whataburger manager made a special delivery to save the day.

Whataburger Hosts Fundraiser to Support San Antonio Food Bank’s SA Goes Orange

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 13:53:28 -0500

Whataburger is proud to announce we’re partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank for the 10th consecutive year to fight hunger and raise awareness for SA Goes Orange, a month-long campaign during Hunger Action Month.

Whataburger will host a month-long fundraiser from Sept 1-30 to raise money for the Food Bank.

Here’s how the fundraiser works: Customers who visit any San Antonio or New Braunfels area Whataburger restaurant during the month of September and donate at least $1 to the San Antonio Food Bank will receive a thank-you coupon for a free Whataburger with purchase of a medium fry and 32-ounce drink for their next visit.

Through cash donations and past fundraiser events, the company has raised more than $355K for the Food Bank over the past 10 years.

Volunteer Days at the Food Bank, Sept 14 and Sept 28:

In addition to the fundraiser, Whataburger is also activating its employees, called Family Members, to volunteer at the Food Bank on September 14 and September 28 to sort and pack donations for families and raise awareness for SA Goes Orange.

SAGO BY THE NUMBERS:

$1 provides 7 meals
Raised more than $355K in 10 years of partnership
Contributed $63K to the Food Bank and more than 441,000 meals to the community last year

Best Burger. Favorite Fries. Most Loved Late Night.

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 14:47:22 -0500

Since 1950 we’ve prided ourselves on hot, fresh food, served with a side of the friendliest service in the industry. And while we know we’re pretty great, it’s nice to hear it from somebody else every once in a while.

But you know whose opinion we care about most? Yours! Stop by one of our restaurants today or let us know what you think at 1-800-6BURGER.

And feel free to browse this list of awards, accolades and virtual high fives below. We’re blushing!

2020 WHATABURGER RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES

Eater's Guide to Dallas - One of "Texas' favorite late-night eats"

San Antonio Current - "Best Late-Night Place to Eat" and "Best Burger"

Food & Wine - Included Whataburger in its "Best Fast Food in Every State" feature

Austin Chronicle - Mentioned Whataburger's Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit as a "tried-and-true Southern staple" in its "Best Chicken Sandwiches in Austin" article

San Antonio Current - 2020 America's Best Customer Service list

Texas Sports Life - Whataburger named the "Most Iconic Brand in Texas," beating out 63 other brands in a recent Twitter poll

2019 WHATABURGER RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES

Business Insider - We compared In-N-Out, Shake Shack, and Texas favorite Whataburger — and the winner is clear

USA TODAY - Best Regional Fast Food

Travel Daily News - Dining choices at Bush Airport highlight nominations in annual USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards voting

Spoon University - Top 10 Fast Food Chain Restaurants You've Never Heard Of

Business Insider - 44 foods you can get at your favorite chain restaurants that are under 500 calories

RestaurantNews.com - Sandelman’s Awards of Excellence recognize top chains of 2018

The Inventory - Texas's Favorite Condiment Belongs On French Fries In All 50 States

Thrillist - Chefs Reveal Their Go-To Fast Food Indulgences

Society 19 - 15 Signs You Definitely Grew Up In Texas

GoBankingRates - 35 Best Restaurants Open Late

Thrillist - The Best Breakfast at Every Fast-Food Restaurant

Houston Press - Best of Houston® 2019: Best French Fries

Jesuit The Roundup - The Roundup’s Top 10 Fast Food Restaurants

CultureMap Dallas - Battle of best new restaurants tops this week's 5 hottest Dallas headlines

PaperCity Magazine - Houston’s Ultimate 4/20 Guide — Your Munchies Menu

Texas Monthly - Here Are the Best Songs About All the Most Texan Brands, Including Whataburger and H-E-B

San Antonio Magazine - Best of the City 2019: Fun

San Antonio Current - Greatest Hits & Deep Cuts: Where to Score Late-Nite Grub in San Antonio

KFMX-FM - 5 FOODS WE DO WELL IN LUBBOCK, AND 4 WE DON’T

KRIS (NBC) - Whataburger checks in at No. 3 in national list of top regional fast-food restaurants

Victoria Advocate - Best Hamburger: Burger Nation

Austin American-Statesman - 12 places to eat in Austin that are open 24 hours a day

AL.com - Butter Me Up: Birmingham’s best biscuits

Phoenix.org - Top 10 Best Places for Late-Night Munchies

2018 WHATABURGER RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES

Spoon University - Austin's Top 5 Late-Night Destinations, According to Lyft

Insider - 6 of the best fast-food burgers, according to chefs

Business Insider - We ate dozens of meals at restaurant chains in 2018. Here are the 6 best things to try right now

FOX News - Texans, Whataburger fans question validity of fast-food study that named In-N-Out state's favorite

Wide Open Eats - The Top 20 Restaurant Chains with the Best Customer Loyalty

Thrilist - Fast-Food Fries, Ranked From Cardboard to Crispy Perfection

Daily Meal - These Are The 10 Biggest Burger Chains of 2018

QSR Magazine - The QSR 50

San Antonio Express-News - S.A. companies make Glassdoor's list of Top 100 CEOs

QSR Magazine - QSR’s Top 50 loyalty index

RetailMeNot - The Best Nationwide Restaurants for Late-Night Dining

Nation’s - Top 200 report

USA TODAY - Great American Bites Ranking

Eat This, Not That! - The Absolute Best Regional Fast Food Chain in Every State

Technomic’s - Most Loyal Customers in Quick Service Consumers’ Choice

Datafiniti - Biggest Fast-Food Chains in America

PaperCity Magazine - Best burger in Dallas

Business Insider - Best Fast-Food Chains to Work for in 2018

Platform Magazine - Whataburger: More Than Just Good Food

Ranker - The Best Fast Food Burgers (rolling, crowdsourced)

Marshall News-Messenger - Marshall News Messenger announces winners of Hometown Best

Eater Dallas - An Eater's Guide to Dallas

KHOU (CBS) - KHOU 11 fans pick the tastiest burger shops in town

Houston Chronicle - GREATER HOUSTON'S TOP 100 EMPLOYERS

KSAT (ABC) - KSAT's SA Picks Winner List 2018

San Antonio Magazine - The San Antonio Bucket List

San Antonio Express News - What people miss most about San Antonio when they leave

Click Orlando - Where do Floridians go when they want to eat fast food?

The Orange Leader - 2018 Orange Leader Reader’s Choice Awards

2017 WHATABURGER RANKINGS AND ACCOLADES

Nation’s Restaurant News - Whataburger: Winning with families

Houston Chronicle - Buzzfeed dubs Whataburger better than In-N-Out, Shake Shack

Rare - This Texas favorite takes the crown in national “better burger” rankings

QSR Web - QSR loyalty index shows you don't have to be big to be beautiful

Conde Nast Traveler - The Meals We Crave When We Go Home

Business Insider - Fast food chains like In-N-Out are quickly becoming jobs people want to have

Business Insider - Best Fast Food Chains in American

Brides - The Best Late-Night Wedding Food in Every Region

MarketForce - Favorite Quick Service Restaurants

Gartner L2 Digital IQ Index - Restaurants US 2017 Report

QSR 50 - The QSR 50

Business Insider - A regional cult favorite that most Americans have never heard of is now the most popular 'better burger' chain in the US

Restaurant Business - The 10 Most Craveable Chain Burgers

Restaurant Business - Top 250: The Ranking (Info Taken from Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report)

Houston Chronicle - These burger joints were ranked among the top restaurants in Houston

KTRK (ABC) - Bush Airport named a top 5 favorite airport for millennials

Athens Review - 2016 Best of the Best

The Recorder - The Best Of Dallas, Texas

San Antonio Express-News - Readers' Choice 2017: Express-News readers choose their favorite restaurants, bars in S.A.

The Collegian - 10 things to do with your family in Phoenix

Aquarium Adventure

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 16:54:08 -0500

Looking for an adventure? Head to the coast! The Texas State Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the state – and a can’t-miss destination when you’re planning a weekend in Corpus Christi.

With exhibits like the Coral Reef, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Jungle and the Whataburger 4D Theater – the aquarium offers exploration and education…and a fun spot just to hang out and cool off.

Check out what our young travel guides had to say about this underwater adventure!

On 'America's Got Talent' or in the drive thru ... this girl is ready to shine

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 15:43:00 -0500

As she watches season 14 of “America’s Got Talent” this summer, Whataburger Family Member Erica Dierdorff is tuning in to cheer on some of her newest friends.

It's people she met while competing against them during “America’s Got Talent” auditions in Los Angeles in March. She was oh-so-close to singing on the show with them.

The 20-year-old, who works the drive-thru at Unit 988 in Kingwood, Texas, is disappointed she didn’t make the show – but the experience of trying out was one to remember.

“Even though I didn’t make it, I learned so much,” Dierdorff says. “It was an awesome experience overall.”

From feeling like a model while having her hair and makeup done to hanging out with celebrity judges, she relishes the memories.

Judge Simon Cowell told Dierdorff he enjoyed her singing and wants to see her back at auditions next year.

“I was basically in tears because his words were so shocking,” she says. Cowell told her to amp up her stage presence and work on being less shy.

Dierdorff’s doing that and more. “I’ve pushed myself a lot harder, and I’m taking voice lessons to get extra experience.”

She’s also written about a half-dozen songs on her guitar and is learning more piano.

She hopes to sing one of her original songs for an “American Idol” audition in late June.

“I want to keep getting these experiences so I will be able to make it through to perform on a show,” she says.

Whenever she’s in the spotlight – celebrity judges or not – she’ll do what she does while working the drive-thru during a Whataburger rush: just focus.

“I just take one thing at a time, and try to focus on what’s most important,” Erica says. “Connecting with people makes all the difference.”

Stories about True Love (the Whataburger Way)

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 10:22:00 -0500

From first dates to wedding receptions to anniversaries, Whataburger has been part of plenty of love stories. Here are some of our favorites, including tips to help you bring a little orange-and-white into your own celebrations.

These newlyweds said "I do" and then "Let's go to Whataburger!"

All the wedding blogs speak the truth: the bride and groom never get to eat at their own wedding reception. But thankfully, it’s Whataburger to the rescue for these newlyweds!

Four Ways to Make Whataburger Part of Your Happily Ever After

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something orange.

Southern Vibe

Brides have started incorporating Whataburger into their big day – and a ritual is brewing.

I do! Whataburger Love

For these couples, marriage comes with a side of Whataburger love.

"Honey, you're my butter half"

How one couple made their favorite Whataburger menu item a key to their happiness.

#whatalove

From first dates to post-wedding visits … from late nights with your pals, to late nights with your newborn … you’ve inspired us with your #Whatalove.

Fries & Fairy Tales

The absolutely true love story of a boy and girl who love Whataburger a lot – and each other more.

"I'll bring the sweet, and you bring the sugar ... I'll see you soon at Whata...."

A scavenger hunt involving a mysterious note, a hero’s quest, and a romantic dinner involving one very saucy Mushroom Swiss Burger.

Four Tips for Making your Marriage Last

Advice from a couple who’s been married 60 years.

For American Idol Standout Chloe Channell, Songwriting and Whataburger Go Hand in Hand

Fri, 17 May 2019 08:22:00 -0500

American Idol fans who tuned in to the show this season probably heard singer Chloe Channell wow the judges with her rendition of Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy.”

But it wasn’t the 17-year-old’s performance that caught our attention.

The Pace, Florida, resident is all about Whataburger.

“She goes to Whataburger at least once a day – if not more – to eat. That is where she spends all her money,” Chloe’s mom Kimberly Channell says.

After she auditioned for the American Idol judges, in fact, she told them that “she was hungry and wanted a biscuit and gravy from Whataburger,” her mom remembers.

‘Is That Song About Me?’

In Chloe’s original song, ‘Is That Song About Me?’ she sings, “‘Cause my favorite line, is it about you and I? When you sing about a kiss in a Whataburger parking lot?”

She wrote the song in a Nashville hotel room, feeling a little homesick for Florida.

“I was missing my friends and family,” she says. “I was missing the people back home, and it came together.”

Although Chloe didn’t make it to the top 20 on the 17^th season of American Idol, she’s confident you’ll see her again.

“I want to go all the way and keep doing what I love,” Chloe says. “No matter what happens, I know it’ll all be OK in the end.”

And you can always stop in to the Pace, Florida, Whataburger location for a possible star sighting. “I wish there was a Whataburger in every state,” she says. “I’m not gonna move if I can’t take a Whataburger with me.”

iNVision Photography

If Whataburger's not the right answer, the question is wrong

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 10:16:13 -0500

“Whataburger” was Steven Carter’s response on a recent episode of “Ellen’s Game of Games” when host Ellen DeGeneres asked contestants to name the top 20 fast-food restaurants in the U.S.

Social media gave a collective – and, of course, snarky – gasp when DeGeneres said no to Whataburger. It’s all cool, though.

Ultimately, Carter won, taking with him $2,500 and his love for Whataburger. Since the show aired March 19, he’s felt lots of Whataburger love.

“You would not believe how many people have messaged me saying I was robbed on that question,” he says.

It was, after all, the natural answer for the Birmingham, Alabama, contestant. “I’d just eaten at Whataburger! One had just popped up near my house here in Birmingham. My friends and I were going there a whole bunch before the show taped last June.”

We get it. Carter likely was thinking how comforting his favorite Whataburger nosh – a grilled cheese with pickles and a side of onion rings – would be at such a stressful moment.

Take a look at the reaction:

Don’t be throwing things at the TV, Whataburger fam!

It wasn’t only the Twitterverse that went nuts. “All my friends have called and texted about Whataburger,” Carter says. “I could have fallen down on my face or whatever, and nobody would have said anything. But, Whataburger! They’re all saying, ‘You were robbed!’ ”

Carter got yanked up about a foot for his Whataburger answer, his second strike in the Don’t Leave Me Hanging challenge. “Those harnesses definitely aren’t the most comfortable things,” he says, laughing. (Photo courtesy of NBC Universal)

Carter told Ellen he would travel and make the most of his prize money. And he’s kept his word, making jaunts to Florida and New Orleans. And maybe a couple of trips to Whataburger, too. (Photo courtesy of NBC Universal)

Two WWII veterans celebrate their 100th birthdays at Whataburger

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:57:00 -0500

When C.J. “Red” Wallace and Wayne Palmer celebrated their 100^th birthdays, their cakes weren’t ablaze with a hundred candles apiece.

Instead, each wished on a single Whataburger-branded candle while family, friends and Whataburger Family Members cheered.

Both the World War II veterans love them some Whataburger, so their families arranged parties to mark the milestones at their local Whataburger restaurants.

Wallace partied down on his big day – April 13 – at Whataburger in Malakoff, Texas. Palmer celebrated on April 15, and even Whataguy came out to the store in Lufkin, Texas, to join the fun.

Each party was filled with sage advice from the guests of honor and plenty of orange.

April 13: Honoring C.J. “Red” Wallace

Wallace stepped out of a stretch limo and onto a red carpet rolled out in his honor at the Malakoff Whataburger. “If you want to live a long life, you’d better get plenty of exercise,” he says.

Wallace’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Whataburger family fulfilled the WWII veteran’s wish of receiving 100 cards on his 100^th birthday.

After serving with the Air Force in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany during WWII, Wallace worked for General Motors for 27 years.

Wallace’s great-grandaughters were among the guests marking the milestone at one of their great-grandfather’s favorite places.

He says the bun is one of the best parts of his usual order: a #1 Whataburger with mayo added, minus onions and pickles.

“It’s special that he let Whataburger share his milestone,” says Shelly Lipe, the marketing director for Hablinski Investments, a Whataburger franchise.

April 15: Celebrating Wayne Palmer

Palmer, being greeted here by friends, agrees with Wallace about the key to a long life. “You gotta stay active, otherwise you’re not going to go very long.”

During steamy East Texas summers, Palmer keeps a half-dozen lawns mowed. Each of those takes about two hours. Whew!

Balloons, cards and banners marked Palmer’s big day.

He credits his faith for getting him through tight spots in life. One of those tight spots was D-Day on Normandy Beach in France.

At the Lufkin restaurant, the Whataburger Family knows Palmer’s breakfast order as the “Palmer Special.” That’s one scrambled egg, one pancake and two pieces of bacon. Other customers ask for it by name too!

Palmer’s cake was 100 percent Whataburger, even orange on the inside, and topped with a Whataburger French fry candle.

“We know how much Mr. Palmer enjoys coming to our restaurant,” says Maci Dover from the G.V.C.S. Whataburger franchise. “This celebration is just one way for all of us at Whataburger to show how much he means to us.”

The making of Whataburger’s float for San Antonio’s Battle of Flowers parade

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 08:06:00 -0600

Can't get enought Fiesta? Check out this video about the making of the 2018 Whataburger Battle of Flowers Parade float! And check out the 2019 float in person at this year's Battle of Flowers parade on April 26.

Clyde Watts has been making over-the-top, one-of-a-kind parade floats for 50 years, first as part of his family’s business and then running his own company, Lone Star Parade Floats.

This spring, he’s been at work on a Whataburger float, which will debut at the 2018 Battle of Flowers Parade during Fiesta San Antonio. Crafted around a circus theme, it features Whataburger’s signature orange-and-white stripes, circus animals, and – of course – lots and lots of glitter.

It’s one of many floats that Watts and his team at Lone Star created for the April 23 event. The Battle of Flowers parade honors both the fallen heroes of the Battle of the Alamo and celebrates the Texan triumph at the Battle of San Jacinto, an 1836 battle which is hailed as perhaps the most significant victory of the Texas Revolution.

The parade, which lasts almost four hours, is one of the biggest celebrations of the two-week-long citywide party that is Fiesta San Antonio.

“We’re doing 31 floats for Battle of Flowers,” Watts says. “We’ve been working on them since August of last year. It’s a nine- or 10-month ordeal getting ready for this one parade.”

Here’s a glimpse into the mind of the man behind all that (fabulous! festive! glittery!) magic.

What makes working on floats for the Battle of Flowers fun?

There are two parades where we can be really creative and enjoy designing and construction, and those are Battle of Flowers and the Parade of Lights in Ft. Worth. It’s a lot of fun coming up with ideas. My company does a lot of foam carvings that are all glittered, not just painted. That’s quite unique and real spectacular.

What makes this job challenging?

Trying to get people to realize there are some limitations, no matter how much money they can throw at it. Some want the foam props to move, which means it would need to be carved, disassembled to insert mechanics, reassembled and that one piece would end up costing $35,000 to $40,000.

How many pounds of glitter do you use?

No less than a couple thousand pounds a year. It’s not only on the carvings, but the logo that goes on the float that identifies the sponsor, even that lettering is cut out, hand painted and hand glittered. It’s stunning. It really looks great.

Wow, you must have glitter everywhere.

It’s on my dogs. The grout in the shower sparkles. The steering wheel, it doesn’t come out of that. I go get a haircut and they look at me funny. I’m 67 years old. People don’t associate someone my age with having glitter on them.

Viva Fiesta! Pick up your 2019 Whataburger Fiesta Medal in our Whatastore: https://shop.whataburger.com/gifts/2019-fiesta-medal/

And don't forget to get extras to trade!

To celebrate World Kindness Day, we took over the internet

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:11:00 -0600

Tuesday, Nov. 13, was World Kindness Day!

And, to celebrate, Whataburger took over the internet.

Using social media, Whataburger:

Sent words of kindness and encouragement to 1,000 fans using #WBeKind
Surprised folks who could use a little extra smile
Helped teachers spread kindness by funding their passion projects for their classrooms, as identified on DonorsChoose.org

We also spread kindness in person!

Surprising one lucky elementary school with Whataburger breakfast. (It’s hard to spread kindness when you’re hangry!)
Sharing smiles in our restaurants as Family Members delivered random acts of kindness to our guests

How are you going to spread kindness? Check out some highlights of our journey for inspiration!

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Helping Local Projects

One of the best parts of the day was completely funding teacher projects in five states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Whataburger’s gifts went to help teachers buy books, classroom technology, and educational games and experiences.

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#WorldKindnessDay

Small acts of kindness are just as meaningful, that’s why we sent 1,000 tweets of kindness to people.

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Taquito Suprise

At Whataburger, our favorite thing to do is make people smile over a meal. On Tuesday, we dropped off 640 taquitos and coloring sheets at this south San Antonio elementary school that runs a program to promote kindness.

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Have a Whataburger, On Us

We also gave some folks a boost by randomly sending $10 Whataburger gift cards to brighten their day. And at least one fan even paid it forward.

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All told, it was a day of kindness and positivity.

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This was a birthday party so epic they had to take it on the road

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 09:00:00 -0500

In his work as a construction company foreman in Pharr, Texas, Santiago Paredes travels throughout the Lone Star State - which means he eats a lot of Whataburger.

So his wife, Loida, knew just what to do when she planned his birthday surprise. With the help of the couple’s five children and extended family, they created a celebration that was over-the-top – and included an orange-and-white vehicle the family dubbed the “WhataChariot.” Hey, you only turn 58 once!

It all began with a surprise party at the family home. Santiago may have gotten a little teary. "It was so emotional for all of us to see how much he loved everything,” says his daughter, Lee Walls.

The team at the Pharr Whataburger, where Santiago is a regular, provided bags, cups, placemats and stickers to make the party extra festive.

A friend of the family made the cake and topped it with a table tent.

That’s when the photo shoot began.

Then, the family took this show on the road in the WhataChariot.

"We had to special order the orange tape for the van because we couldn't find it anywhere locally," Lee says. "This was two months’ worth of planning, but it was all so worth it.”

“Our neighbors got a big kick out of the decorated van,” Lee says. Santiago rode all the way to Whataburger with the windows down, waving at people on the street. “He thought he was part of the Presidential motorcade," Lee says.

After cruising through town, the WhataChariot headed to Whataburger, where the birthday boy ordered his favorite meal: a #5 Bacon and Cheese Whataburger with the bacon extra crispy, cut in half, on Texas toast, with no onions.

Why Whataburger? "They see him there several times a week, know what he likes to order and even where he likes to sit,” Lee says. “They are part of the family to him."

Manager Maria Alvarez, who helped the family with the surprise party, says Santiago is one of her favorite customers.

"I'm so happy he's gotten all this attention for his birthday," Lee says. "He is the hardest working man I've ever known and he deserves nothing but the best."

68 Years of Orange Spirit

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 08:35:01 -0500

On Aug. 8, 1950, Whataburger started with a single road-side stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Now, 68 years later, with more than 820 restaurants in 10 states, we’re proud to celebrate our birthday with our community.

That’s why we’re kicking off Orange Spirit Week, a week-long initiative celebrating 68 years of service. In the spirit of serving others, hundreds of Whataburger employees, known as Family Members, will be volunteering in the San Antonio community. Whataburger is proud to be your hometown favorite, and we look forward to 68 more.

August 6, 2018 - The DoSeum

To kick off the week, we unveiled the Whataburger Truck, a “play” food truck in the “Little Town” area of the DoSeum, where 50+ Whataburger volunteers helped prepare materials for kids art activities.

August 7, 2018 - The Brighton Center

Whataburger Family Members continued to volunteer in the San Antonio community today in celebration of our 68th birthday at the newly announced Whataburger Literacy Center at the Brighton Center.

August 8, 2018 - Communities in Schools

Today, on Whataburger’s 68^th birthday, we’re proud to partner with Communities in Schools and support their mission of providing students with the tools they need to stay in school. Whataburger donated $60,000 to provide mental health coaching to CIS staff and partners while our Family Members sorted donated supplies to give students a fresh start to the new school year.

August 9, 2018 - Warriors Family Support Center

On Thursday of Orange Spirit Week, Whataburger Family Members helped serve those who serve our country. Family Members visited Fort Sam Houston to volunteer at the Warrior Family Support Center, updating walking paths and sprucing up gardens for military members and their families.

August 10, 2018 - Paloma Place

We capped off Orange Spirit Week with a very special trip to Paloma Place at the Sutherland Springs Support Center, an organization focused on assisting families impacted by tragedy. Our Family Members spent the day landscaping and painting their brand-new support center.

These newlyweds said "I do" and then "Let's go to Whataburger!"

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 10:20:51 -0500

All the wedding blogs speak the truth: the bride and groom never get to eat at their own wedding reception. But thankfully, it’s Whataburger to the rescue for these newlyweds!

Levi and Madalyn

They did it! Madalyn and Levi Yancey jumpstarted their joy at Whataburger after their reception in April. While Madalyn is committed to the Breakfast on a Bun, Levi has his own Whataburger menu hack: "I love the Honey Barbecue Chicken Strip Sandwich. But instead of using barbecue sauce, I put on Honey Butter sauce. It's amazing!"

Pace and Kylie

High school sweethearts Pace and Kylie Murphy had their first date at Whataburger after a homecoming game – and they’re still going strong. Pace’s job as an offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers will take the couple to Santa Clara, Calif., this year, so the Murphys are enjoying Whataburger every chance they can. “No matter where football takes us, Texas will be our home and Whataburger will always be our favorite!” Kylie says.

Daniel and Priscila

Rick Davila Photography

Daniel and Priscila Gonzalez share a deep love for each other – and a deep love for the same Whataburger meal: a Bacon and Cheese Whataburger, hold the pickles and onions, but add grilled jalapenos. (Daniel prefers a wheat bun.) They visit their local Whataburger almost every Friday. “I’m Whataburger’s biggest fan,” Priscila laughs. “I can go on the Whataburger Meal Plan!”

Shea and Pennie

She’s #TeamSpicyKetchup and he’s #TeamHoneyButterSauce but it’s still a match made in Whataburger heaven! Pennie and Shea Thibodeaux were married in April and went out for Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits and hash brown sticks after their reception. “I loved my wedding dress so much that I wanted to wear it everywhere, even Whataburger!” Pennie says.

Charlie and Macey

After their wedding on Nov. 11, 2017, Charlie and Macey Hawthorne decided to stop in to fill up on Whataburger and get their life off to a good start. And it’s worked. The couple is enjoying their first home together, which they share with their three fur babies: Bowie, Daisy and Winnie. “We’re planning on having babies in the next couple of years, but not rushing anything!” says Macey.

Mark Anthony and Bethany

After their wedding reception ended at 2 a.m., Mark Anthony & Bethany Vidaurri stopped at Whataburger for their favorites: a Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich and an Avocado Bacon Burger. “I think we could argue for hours about who's the biggest fan,” Bethany says. “But I have to admit my husband has tried everything on the menu and is always the first one in line for the limited-time-only burgers!”

John and Alyssa

For John and Alyssa Coker, the happiest day of their lives was capped by a visit to Whataburger after their wedding reception last year. Now happily married, Alyssa’s advice for brides-to-be is on point: “Get yourself a man who takes you to Whataburger for post-wedding noms!”

Senior pics served up with extra cheese

Mon, 07 May 2018 11:37:49 -0500

In the end, their school colors didn’t matter nearly as much as their love for orange-and-white when it came time for these fans to take photos to celebrate their senior year.

After all: What better way to memorialize the bond between a young adult and their Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit as they move on to the next phase of their lives?

Photographer Katie Bosler had known Mason Willis since he was in elementary school, and she knew he didn’t love taking photos. So she asked him if he would take his portraits at the one place guaranteed to make him smile: Whataburger. He felt awkward at first, but warmed up quickly. “After the first few pictures, I no longer cared who was watching because I had my vanilla shake and Honey Butter Chicken Strip Sandwich.”

When Mason was a student at Garland High School near Dallas, Texas, he would eat at Whataburger after every football game – and several other times a week “just because. “ Now a freshman at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, he still eats at Whataburger at least once a week. “I go there every Thursday after bible study,” he says.

K.A. Bosler Photography

Willard Jenkins of Del Rio, Texas, is what we call a Whataburger junkie. He's there a lot. So when it was time to take senior photos ... well, there was nowhere else he wanted to go.

He and a friend visited Whataburger, ordered his favorite — a triple meat with cheese and ketchup — and he pulled out his best senior smile.

Striped tie at the ready, Tristan Smitherman, a senior at Saraland High School in Saraland, Ala., took photos with a definite personality.

Like the one where he’s lying on the table like Derek Zoolander, but much cooler. “Oh yes, there were a lot of people there,” Tristan says. “It was like the afternoon rush — and especially when I was lying on the table, and everybody was looking at me and they didn’t know what to think.”

Tristan, who gets the Monterey Melt when he’s not getting the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, graduates in May.

Cierra Birmingham graduated from Rouse High School in Leander last year, and took her pics at the Whataburger that was the go-to spot for her high school crowd after football games.

Why Whataburger? “I didn't want to do basic,” Birmingham says. “It was more personal . . . and I thought it was funny.” For the shoot, she ordered her favorite meal: a patty melt without onions and a sweet tea. And, “of course, the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit."

It’s been a while since Connor Burgess took his senior pics, but the former Dutchtown High School student from Geismar, La., still remembers the conversation he had with the photographer.

“I want something that will represent me,” Burgess told him. “The photographer was like, ‘Well, if you had to take a pic one place, where would it be?’ I said, ‘Shoot, I go to Whataburger more than any place else … That’s my happy place. I love Whataburger.’” It shows.

When Matthew Reynolds graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio in 2017, he took the opportunity to show off his Whataburger pride – not to mention his (ahem) borrowed table tents. Growing up, Matthew would share Whataburger breakfast with his dad and brother. And once he was in college, Whataburger became his favorite hangout. "It was always open!" he explains.

Texan Jack Barnett wanted to make sure his senior pics showed his personality. So he donned his straw cowboy hat and National Hot Rod Association T-shirt before ordering his favorite Whataburger Patty Melt.

Jack will graduate from Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas, this year with plans to major in construction management at Stephen F. Austin University in the fall.

Edward Melo, who is graduating from Crosby High School in Crosby, Texas, is looking to the future – planning to study business and entrepreneurship while building awareness about an anti-bullying movement he’s founded.

Choosing Whataburger for his senior photos was an easy decision, he says. “No matter the occasion I will always have Whataburger as a number one priority!”

And Annie McKelroy, who will graduate from Hardin High School in Liberty, Texas, this year, wanted her pictures to represent her love for the Lone Star State. “I knew that I needed to do my pictures in Whataburger, because, I mean, how much more Texas does it get?”

Whataburger was also a huge part of her high school years. “Whataburger has been a place for first dates, hanging out, catching up with old friends, and an overall gathering place,” she says. “Whataburger is more than just a fast food place, it is a home.”

Take a Birmingham Road Trip!

Wed, 02 May 2018 13:33:00 -0500

They call Birmingham the Magic City.

It’s a nod to how the city burgeoned, almost like magic, from 100 people in 1865 to more than 250,000 in 1878 as the iron and steel industries flourished in the shadow of the Civil War.

Today, Birmingham is home to 212,000 Alabamians – and the city still casts a spell. Here are some of the best spots in town:

Catch some culture

Downtown is home to the Birmingham Museum of Art, one of the finest regional museums in the U.S. It houses more than 27,000 unique works of art, as well as many traveling exhibits. The museum has the largest collection of Wedgwood outside England.

And it’s not all just about art – the popular summer series, Art on the Rocks, offers an evening of food, cocktails, and interactive performances so you can experience art in a whole new way.

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

In the Uptown District, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame boasts more than 5,000 sports artifacts. Many of the all-time sports greats – from Hank Aaron to Mia Hamm – called Alabama home.

One of the biggest crowd pleasers? An original houndstooth hat from the estate of legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. And, because Whataburger unites us all, we just want to call out that Auburn’s Bo Jackson and Pat Sullivan’s Heisman Award trophies are also on display.

Soar with the Iron Man

Coming into the city, it’s hard to miss the world’s largest cast metal statue, Vulcan, perched high atop Red Mountain. Go up the observation tower for absolutely stunning views. If you hear the phrase “moon over Homewood,” it’s because Vulcan’s bare backside faces that suburb just south of the city. It’s OK – they’re proud of it.

After taking in the views, check out the museum, which includes the chance to light Vulcan’s torch, pose for a photo next to a gigantic replica of the statue’s enormous foot, and hit the gift shop for all sorts of cheeky miniature Vulcan memorabilia.

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

Sloss, once the largest maker of pig iron in the world, is a big part of why Birmingham is named The Magic City. Walk around the huge stoves and pipes, and visit the museum. You might even catch a class in creative welding or iron sculpting. It’s also home to a popular music and arts festival in July.

Historic theatre and arts district

The “Showplace of the South,” the Alabama Theatre, was built in 1927 by Paramount Studios. Purchased by a nonprofit, it went through a complete restoration in 1998. It’s home to Big Bertha, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Just across the street is the Lyric Theatre, built in 1914 for vaudeville, restored recently to its former glory.

Birmingham Zoo

Always ranked as a must-see, the Birmingham Zoo just south of downtown is more than 50 years old but keeps fresh with new exhibits, including the Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. Don’t miss “Trails of Africa,” featuring a herd of African elephants.

You don’t have to be a kid to love this place. With four floors of learning, hands-on activities for all ages, and the area’s only IMAX® theatre, families can easily spend the whole day here. Check the center’s website for a list of visiting exhibits, but make plans anytime to enjoy the Itty Bitty Magic City, including a mini Main Street and a Water Play area where everyone can splash away.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Just across from the zoo is what we like to call the state’s largest living museum, which is open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. Breathe in the scents of Alabama wildflowers and other native plants. Don’t miss a chance to take photos in the Japanese Gardens, and check out the only public horticultural garden in the United States, which offers free Wi-Fi. Best of all: admission is free.

Vroom...vroom...

Heading out of downtown, only a few miles away is the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum, which hosts several international and national motorsports events. It’s also home to more than 1,400 motorcycles that span more than 100 years of production, and the largest Lotus collection in the world.

Railroad Park

One of the city’s newest shining stars, the 19-acre Railroad Park, is called “Birmingham’s Living Room” for its local concerts and cultural events, including ice skating in the winter! There are also free exercise events like yoga and Zumba classes almost every day. And you can camp out under the stars at the park’s annual Family Camp-Out Night, an urban camping experience that includes lessons on astronomy, a chance to meet friendly animals from the Birmingham zoo, and – of course – s’mores.

"Honey, you're my butter half"

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 08:22:14 -0500

When Lauren Hodges got married last year, she had her heart set on one very particular late-night snack for all her guests still celebrating on the dance floor.

Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits from Whataburger.

And to the delight of all 300 of her guests, she got her wish. Whataburger Family Members made a special midnight delivery to keep the party going.

“From that point on, our guests could have cared less about the open bar or the band,” she says. “This is what everyone loved. This is what everyone still talks about!”

So this March, as the Hodges prepared to celebrate their one-year anniversary, Lauren concocted another perfect plan: more Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits.

Lauren placed a slightly smaller Whataburger order this time and prepared a honey-butter experience like no other, complete with a sequined tablecloth, crystal cake platter and fresh flowers.

Lauren ordered 15 Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits just for the photos. “When I went to pick them up, I wanted one to eat immediately, so I had to order one more,” she says.

And then she and Lorne enacted their own twist on the wedding-cake tradition.

The shoot quickly became a group effort, which didn’t surprise the couple at all. “Whataburger has always played a big part in my life,” she says. As a child, she and her family would stop on their way to the coast every year. In college, she and her roommate were there every week. Now, she and Lorne and her young nephew stop in at their Whataburger regularly.

When the photo shoot was over, Lauren bagged up the extra Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits for her office. “I shared them with co-workers later,” she says. “We do not waste Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits!”

Now that’s a happy ending.

Madison Richards Photography

Deep in the art

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 15:08:18 -0500

San Antonio-based artist Raul Gonzalez likes to stand back at exhibitions and watch how people react to his work.

Sometimes, he’ll catch the moment when viewers make the connection with the familiar bright orange-and-white stripes in some of his paintings and drawings.

“They’re like, ‘This is totally Whataburger right here,’” Gonzalez says. “And they get so excited.”

Gonzalez began incorporating references to Whataburger into his art when he was working on the “Texas Series,” drawings and paintings in the shape of the state. The series partly was inspired by Texas’ landscape and its people, particularly construction workers like Gonzalez’s father and other laborers who build and maintain cities.

When the artist was working on the series’ concept, he read about a poll that named Whataburger the best burger in America. Gonzalez was impressed that Whataburger was “holding it down representing Texas.”

“I was like, ‘OK. Whataburger has to be part of my thing,’” he remembers.

His artist statement is simple: “My motto is Werk. Hustle. Sleep. Repeat.”

But maybe it could also be “Werk. Hustle. Sleep. Repeat. Whataburger.”

Getting Inspired, Inspiring Others

At 36, Gonzalez, who cares for his two young daughters while he works, is one of the busiest and most prolific artists in San Antonio.

He studied art at the University of Houston and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

In addition to drawing and painting, he delivers high energy performances. For one piece, he danced 4.3 miles from a downtown gallery to the McNay Art Museum where his work was on display, aggravating a torn knee ligament along the way.

Since moving to San Antonio, Gonzalez has established himself as an up and coming artist with solo and group shows in galleries and museums throughout Texas and beyond. His work is in private collections around the country and in the permanent collections of institutions such as the McNay, the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. In 2013 and 2014, he was a finalist for the prestigious Hunting Art Prize awarded in drawing and painting.

His inspirations and intentions are as varied as his platforms; work, fatherhood, identity, construction, labor, the working class, identity, and abstraction are all topics he wrestles with and explores, according to his Artist Statement.

And his “WhataPaintings” and “WhataDrawings” continue to connect with fans – and evolve on an artistic level. Recently, he decided to do a two-color screen print of one of the works – an image of a piece of heavy machinery displacing soil. Gonzalez draws or paints on the prints in the “WhataMachine Series” so each one is original.

Orange-and-white stripes appear in other more recent works, including drawings and paintings on pieces of concrete and paintings from his “Dad Series” inspired by his daily life caring for his daughters.

Through my art has been the best way that I’ve been able to communicate with people and have conversations,” he says. “I feel like, ‘OK. This is where I’m supposed to be and these are the dialogues I’m supposed to be having and let’s see where I can go from there.”

They compete under the Whataburger flag.

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0600

At Whataburger we do fries, not flips; shakes, not Salchows; hamburgers, not the halfpipe.

But we do have our own hyper-intense competition where folks fight for their moment of glory on the medal stand.

It’s called WhataGames. And if you’re part of the Whataburger Family, it’s a big deal.

Every other year, Whataburger restaurants compete for a chance to attend this event, where restaurants vie for the gold medal – and thousands of dollars in prizes.

WhataGames is three days of non-stop activity for the competing teams. Restaurant teams show off their kitchen skills, and their customer service talents. Maintenance techs fix things on the fly. Everyone tests their knowledge of the company history and culture in a high-production quiz show.

And when it’s over, the winners take home $5,000. In cash. Each.

Like we said, it’s a big deal. Check out the excitement here:

"I'll bring the sweet, and you bring the sugar ... I'll see you soon at Whata...."

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:04:04 -0600

Nataly and Favian of Spring, Texas, spent their Valentine’s Day 2018 with us, and it was pretty special.

Nataly decided to surprise Favian with a Valentine’s dinner for two – a real treat since the couple has three kids. So her niece dropped her off at their local Whataburger before he got home from work. But not before she left him a Valentine’s Day card with a special note inside.

Nataly started her love letter simply enough:

“Oh my Valentine

You are so sweet

I’m not sure ’bout you

But I’m ready to eat.

Let’s have some fun

A dinner just for 2

I’ll get you a #3, no bun

Anything to show my love for you.”

And then things got spicy.

“So clean on up, and put on somethin’ purty

Meet me at our favorite place

No earlier than 6:30.”

Fortunately, he knew just where to go. And Nataly greeted him with a decorated booth – complete with candles and flowers – and his new favorite order: The Mushroom Swiss burger (Whatasized) with an unsweet tea and a side of Jalapeno Ranch for his fries.

He was a little sheepish when he first walked in, she says, but they both loved it. “This is who we are,” Nataly says. “We don’t need fancy … we just wanted to be together, the two of us.”

Of course, Whataburger has been part of this couple’s love story since the beginning. “For our first anniversary, we flew to Corpus Christi solely to visit the two-story Whataburger, and we ate every meal there for three days,” Nataly remembers. (They had to pull this photo off of her circa 2008 video camera!)

And now, they go to their neighborhood Whataburger three or four times per week with their family.

And while the kids didn’t get to go along on this whirlwind night on the town, Nataly and Favian do have a special keepsake to remember the night: a #12 table tent, marking that this was their 12^th Valentine’s Day together.

Not that they’re worried about forgetting. “We could have gone somewhere and waited 45 minutes to get seated, and then spent $50 or $60 on dinner,” Nataly says. “But instead we got to spend that time together and eat our favorite meal. It was perfect.”

The ‘Chileman’ tells all: Why and how chile peppers make you feel the burn

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:50:26 -0600

His official title is Regents’ professor in horticulture and director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, but Paul Bosland is more commonly known by another name.

The Chileman.

Bosland has built a career studying, cultivating, and educating others about chile peppers of all kinds. So we had him school us on chiles, which we use in everything from Salsa Verde to Picante Sauce to our Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burger and Spicy Ketchup.

“Each chile has a different kind of heat profile,” Bosland explains. “Some heat hits you right away, then vanishes; other times, the heat comes on slow and lingers. Some chiles hit you in the very front of your mouth, while some won’t seem hot at all in your mouth – but then almost sear your throat.

Want to know more? Check out the Chile Pepper Institute's Chile Flavor Wheel, which evaluates the heat profile and flavor of 14 chiles, including bell peppers, jalapenos, and the infamous Bhut Jolokia.

Of course, as Bosland points out, chiles aren’t just about the heat. It’s really about the flavor.

“There’s more to chiles than just heat,” Bosland explains. “There’s flavor in chiles. That’s really what we’re hoping to educate people about here.”

One cowgirl’s horseback ride to Whataburger went viral. But there’s a lot more to her story.

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 08:00:00 -0600

The first time Kaila Ducharme’s grandfather took her to a rodeo, she knew she was born to ride.

That was at age 4.

“I told him I never wanted to come back unless I was competing,” Ducharme says.

When she was 5, she did just that – leading her horse through a barrel-racing competition.

Now 18, Ducharme loves competing in a variety of rodeo competitions, including barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Last summer, Ducharme and two friends went for a ride on their horses. Two hours later, they ponied up at a Whataburger drive-thru for some impromptu milkshakes, and were caught in a photo that went viral on social media.

For Ducharme, it was just another day with her friends and her horses. But it’s a day that almost didn’t happen.

Back in the saddle

On September 3, 2015, Ducharme was training a young horse when it became spooked and flipped over backwards on top of her.

“She basically folded me in half like a pretzel. I knew immediately something was terribly wrong when I couldn’t move. Everything was numb,” she recalls.

Her injuries were so severe that she was flown via Life Flight to Memorial Hermann, Houston’s trauma hospital.

“I broke my left femur, left hip and ninth rib. I also lacerated my liver, gallbladder and damaged my colon,” she says. “I spent three months in a wheelchair.”

But Ducharme was determined to compete again.

Four months after the accident, she saddled up and went for a ride on horseback. And in March 2016, six months after the accident, she competed in a rodeo competition, placing 6^th out of 100 riders.

“I was a little disappointed I didn’t place higher, but proud because it was a difficult road to get there,” Ducharme says.

And looking forward

Meeting the medical team that helped save her life inspired Ducharme. While she had been considering veterinary school, she is now studying to become a Life Flight nurse.

And, of course, she’s still riding.

After three surgeries and still battling post-traumatic stress, Ducharme rode the horse from the accident in December 2016.

Horses, she says, will always be in her life.

And Whataburger will forever be a part of that journey: from sponsoring rodeo events like the Texas High School Rodeo Association state finals, where Ducharme attempted to qualify for a spot at nationals back in June or going all the way back to those rodeos with her grandfather when she was a little girl.

“We would often stop at Whataburger for dinner before heading home. I'll never forget: the 3-piece chicken strips with gravy was always my meal of choice,” Ducharme laughs. “When I think of those post-rodeo Whataburger trips with my grandpa, it makes me nostalgic.”

Allison LaSalle Photography

This Las Cruces daycare for homeless kids will give you hope

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 10:22:54 -0600

Audrey Hartley owns four pairs of red, sparkly shoes, sort of like the ones Dorothy wears in “The Wizard of Oz.”

“They remind me about what we’re doing here,” Hartley says. “We’re helping people find home – just like Dorothy.”

Hartley is the executive director of Jardin de los Ninos, a non-profit school dedicated to helping families struggling with homelessness and near-homelessness.

Their goal? “Break the cycle,” Hartley says.

That means Jardin de los Ninos, which receives assistance from Whataburger and other area businesses, offers families a range of services to get on their feet.

“We not only care for the kids during the day so the parents can look for a job or get an education – but we also educate the parents,” Hartley says. “The ultimate goal is to give them the tools they need to break the cycle of homelessness.”

Adrian Pedroza, whose son and daughter are students at the center, says it has made all the difference for his family.

“We didn’t know where to go or what to do,” Pedroza says. “When we were sleeping in a van, the kids were crying, they were cranky. Then, we came to Jardin.”

And that’s when things started to change.

Knowing the kids were well cared for, Pedroza was able to focus on work. His wife, Adriana, went back to school. Now, the family of four is living in an apartment and building a future.

“You want a better life for your kids,” Pedroza says. “Right? That’s what everyone wants. And Jardin is helping us do that.”

When their restaurant closed, Whataburger Family Members went to work in the community

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 10:06:52 -0600

Franchisee William Tamminga was out of town when the news came in.

The Whataburger restaurant in Liberty, Texas, was on fire.

An electrical fire had started in the roof about 5 a.m. May 31, and the store would have to be closed for several months.

Tamminga knew what that would mean for the 50 Whataburger Family Members at the restaurant: months of uncertainty – without a paycheck.

“They have bills to pay and families to take care of,” he says. “We wanted to take care of them, the same way they take care of us.”

So Whataburger decided to lift up their Family Members and invest in their community at the same time by paying Family Members to volunteer at local nonprofits.

“It’s a way for us to stay connected to the community and with our Family Members while we get rebuilt,” Tamminga says.

It’s an effort that Whataburger corporate stores and other franchisees have done before when a unit has been shut down for repairs — and it’s been a win-win.

See how their efforts impacted the community of Liberty.

Whataburger Team competes in honor of fan - and then surprises him with a gift in his name

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0600

Raul and Hilda Mendez don’t think twice about loading up their grandsons and driving across San Antonio to visit “their” Whataburger.

They drive by other locations on their way to the store on the North side, but that particular restaurant is their 9-year-old great-grandson Roland’s favorite.

The Mendezes, who are raising their great-grandson Roland as well as two younger grandsons, have been regulars at the restaurant for years. And when Roland was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016, the restaurant – and its team – became part of their support system.

Making A Wish

In fact, when Roland was planning a trip to LEGOLAND California through Make-A-Wish® Central and South Texas, he asked if he could eat at Whataburger before flying off on his adventure

And when the trip was postponed on doctor’s orders, his Whataburger family decided to make sure he still got a little dose of orange-and-white. Restaurant General Manager Joshua Hoover delivered food, Lego gift cards and sets, and Whataburger swag to their home when Roland was at home resting up.

“That was awesome of him,” says Raul Mendez.

It was the least they could do, says Team Leader Jessica Baker. “Half our store was in tears when we found out it was canceled the first time,” she says.

When Roland’s health improved last April, he was able to make that trip to LEGOLAND, where he rode a giant roller coaster. And, again, he chose a meal at Whataburger as part of his Make-A-Wish experience.

“He just loves Whataburger, and we just love having him come here,” says Hoover, who’s been with Whataburger for 18 years.

An Inspiration – and a Gift

Roland has built relationships with many of the Family Members, who ask about his health, his family, and his interests. That relationship – and Roland’s faith in them – inspired the Whataburger team to work extra hard in their pursuit of victory in the 2017 WhataGames, an intense Olympic-style competition where Whataburger restaurant teams challenge one another to see who’s the best in the company.

“Roland kept us craving more to win,” Hoover says. “We decided whatever our winnings are—we would all put together a donation.”

After months of training, the restaurant’s team placed third in the event in Dallas. Each of the 13 competing Team Members received $1,000, with everyone else in the restaurant each receiving $100.

And everyone wanted to contribute a portion of their winnings to Make-A-Wish in honor of Roland.

Hugh Dobson, a son of Whataburger’s founder and an owner, was moved by the team’s commitment to their young guest. He matched the team’s donation, bringing the total to $2,100.

Roland, his family, and his Whataburger Family gathered together in July for a meal and an official check donation to Make-A-Wish.

“Thank you, Roland, for being so wonderful that you make people want to help us even more,” said Kathrin Brewer, president & CEO of Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas.

For his part, Roland – who is now in remission – is glad to know other kids can share in some of his wishes. “That makes me feel good,” he says. “(It will mean that other kids) can have wishes like me.”

Whataburger's $1M gift builds accessible water park

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 11:00:00 -0600

It’s the world’s first universally accessible water park.

Inspiration Island, a part of Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, is a water park for everyone. Each ride and attraction is accessible to everyone, including kids and adults in a wheelchair or those with special needs.

The centerpiece of the park is the Whataburger Rainbow Reef, an area where families can splash, play games, and even adjust the water temperature so that individuals who are sensitive to cold can still enjoy getting wet.

The area was funded in part by a $1 million donation from Whataburger.

“It’s a place for the community to join together,” says Belarmino Castellanos, a director in the Whataburger Home Office whose family visits regularly. “The great thing about Morgan’s Wonderland, and now Inspiration Island, is that it allows people of varying abilities to play together, and be together. It’s about building connections in a safe place that feels like home. And that’s what Whataburger is all about too.”

Behind the Scenes with Tom Rogers, Whataburger Basketball Tournament Director

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 10:20:00 -0600

While the Whataburger Basketball Tournament is a special weekend for fans, it’s no easy task to organize. For 36 years, Tom Rogers has made it happen.

Rogers first became involved with the tournament in 1974 when he joined the Lions Club and began volunteering at the then-16-year-old tournament. When the tournament needed someone to take it over seven years later, he volunteered to step up.

“Our goal that first year and each year after has been to go after one national high school to bring in teams to the tournament that don’t normally get to play each other.”

Whataburger Basketball Tournament Director Tom Rogers participating in a trophy presentation.

Though this raised the costs and prompted the need for corporate sponsorships, expanding the playing field was a game-changer and ushered in the next season of the tournament. Whataburger began sponsoring the tournament in 1985.

Thirty-six years brings with it a lot of memories. Rogers recalled the 1987 tournament, when Los Angeles Crenshaw was playing Fort Worth Dunbar in the heated finals match. Ten players signed Division I scholarships that year.

“It was standing-room only. The aisles were filled because there were 7,000 people packed into a 5,800-person arena,” he noted. “Someone told us the fire marshal was going to shut us down, but we just said, ‘If you want to talk to him, be our guest because he’s right there in the front row.’”

With the tournament taking place every year right after the holidays, and all of Rogers’ children involved with the tournament, one could only presume it’s had an effect on his family’s holiday traditions. However, he says it totally “goes as normal” – the family just stays in their hometown of Fort Worth for the holidays.

Each tournament takes well over a year to coordinate, and it’s a family affair for the Rogers clan. Daughter Robyn coordinates the activities at the W.G. Thomas Coliseum, son Rusty covers social media, and youngest son, Randy, who’s in the military, helps out wherever he can when he’s home for the holidays. In the early 80’s, Sarah Rogers (Tom’s wife) even headed up the hospitality room to make sure all the coaches and scouts were well fed - “she used to make finger sandwiches at home each night!” Now, she enjoys watching the tournament with grandson Aiden in tow, raising the next generation of the family with fond tournament memories.

Tom Rogers with the official Whataburger Basketball Tournament game balls.

More than 30,000 spectators, including college scouts and coaches, are expected to take part in the action-packed three-day tournament Dec. 28 through 30, where 3,000 Whataburgers are served each year. For more information, check out the details here. Brackets, rankings and specific player statistics can also be found at Whataburger-BBT.org.

As for Rogers, you’ll be able to find him enjoying the tournament with his favorite Whataburger in hand – the No. 1 with cheese – “because nothing beats the original.”