Holy table tents! This Whataburger-themed tree was part of the company’s community support of the San Antonio Children’s Shelter. (@batmanofsanantonio)

Austin resident Ronnie Garcia has been a fan for a long time – and it shows. His holiday tip? Skip the cookies and leave Santa a #1 this year. (@Ronnie2871)

Not sure if Baby Miss San Antonio Charlene Belvin is more excited about her presents, her crown, or all that Whataburger. (Photo by JG Photography/@jg_photography_official)

Shout out to Emily Storm and Larry Randolph of Mont Belvieu, Texas, for taking a family portrait that’s all about real life. Thanks for hanging those stockings with care, guys! (@emilylikebadweather)

What does Ralph Zambrana of Houston want for Christmas? Peace, love, and Whataburger. (@vanillazambrana)

There’s always that one house on the block. Houston residents Lyndsay and Matt Pennebaker take their Heights house to the next level with full-on Whataburger lights.

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.”

That’s why we’re proud to spotlight these seven rescue dogs whose owners love a delicious Whataburger. Turns out “Man’s Best Friend” is the perfect companion for a trip to Whataburger – and the perfect subject for your next Instagram post.

It’s my birthday, so I’ll bark if I want to!

Lucky is a rescue dog who has been adored by his family for the last seven years. He loves chasing squirrels, playing with his brother Theodore and drinking water from his mom’s Whataburger salad bowl.

@biancadeleonm

Talk about Willpower … 

Sawyer originally hails from a ranch in Virginia and now calls Texas home. Seven years later, his humans say Sawyer is obsessed with going for rides in the car. This fluffy four-legged fan loves going with his parents to the Whataburger drive-thru incognito, but still gets rushed by admirers who ask for his pawtograph.

@goldenboysawyer

None for me?

Watching her owners eat the last fry is always bittersweet for her, but Bubbles the Pug has been living the high life since she was rescued almost four years ago. She loves long walks on the beach and the feeling of sand between her paws!

@miss_bubbles_the_pug

This milkshake is PAWsome!

Beating the Texas heat is a year-round sport and Porter has been known to sneak a few licks from a Whataburger milkshake to cool down. Porter was adopted at a shelter event almost two years ago, when he was just nine months old.

@theriverstyxx

Pawsitively irresistible 

Harley David is a Shih Tzu/Poodle mix rescued four years ago from a family who could not care for him anymore. He “loves tennis balls and barking with his humans” but can’t resist trying to sneak in some Whataburger fries. (Don’t worry, his pet parents make sure to have plenty of doggie treats on hand instead!)

@that’s_so_harley

Woof! My hero brought home Whataburger!

Rufus is a spunky 11-year-old Catahoula mix his pet mom adopted from a shelter in Austin when he was just a pup. His favorite pastimes include barking at the mailman, taking long naps on the couch and giving “high fives” for treats. His mom says Rufus is “my best bud.”

@sarahkwolf

Oh, how I wish those fries were mine!

Some dogs dream of chasing rabbits, but Theodore Patton (his buddies call him Theo) dreams of taking a car ride to Whataburger. This handsome Shih Tzu had a ruff life before his pet parents adopted him, but now he’s enjoying his loving family who says: “Everyday we are reminded just how lucky we are. He’s the best dog we could have asked for.”

@theodorepatton

“Every morning, it was chorizo and eggs,” Villarreal says. “In most of my memories of her, she had my breakfast ready every morning.”

Because of that strong family tie to the flavor, Villarreal is a discerning chorizo customer.

“There are so many places now in Dallas that are Latin fusion,” she says. It’s exciting to see the influence of the food she loves, Villarreal says, but can be frustrating because not everyone understands the history behind the meal – and, as a result, don’t always get it right.

Villarreal knows the real deal when she tastes it. And that chorizo expertise made her the perfect talent for a Whataburger commercial touting the limited-time-offer Chorizo Burger.

“It was great!” she says of the Chorizo Burger. “I had no idea what to expect.”

Villarreal was dining at her Whataburger one afternoon when she was approached about appearing in a Whataburger ad; a longtime fan, she agreed without knowing the product. She showed up and was presented with the Chorizo Burger, months before anyone else could try it.

One bite, and she was sold.

“I loved the burger because you could actually taste the chorizo,” she says. “It feels like something my grandmother would have made.”

The burger features Mexican-style chorizo, two all-beef patties, grilled peppers and onions, Creamy Chili Sauce and two slices of Monterey Jack cheese.

For Villarreal, those flavors bring together her Laredo childhood and her “real” hometown of Dallas. She has lived in North Texas since she was four, and that’s where she gained a love of Whataburger.

In fact, her Whataburger allegiance wasn’t sealed until she left Texas for college in Miami.

“I didn’t realize it until I got out there — there’s no Whataburger!” she says. “When I would come home, it was one of those things that I had to get.”

Her burger of choice: a Whataburger Junior, all the way.

Now back in her hometown, Villarreal has a newborn son, and teaches dance and theater at a nonprofit in Dallas.

She hopes to take her son to visit her great grandmother, now 91, in Laredo – and continue the family tradition. “When I was little, I learned how to make tortillas,” Villarreal says. “I’d like to have her show me how to do them again.”