Meet the keeper of Whataburger’s fan mail basket

Invitations to graduations, weddings, and baby showers. Stories of first dates, anniversaries, personal triumphs, and cross-country journeys to eat Whataburger.

This is just a glimpse of what Linda Stern, Customer Care, sees when she sorts through Whataburger fans’ mail each day.

When Linda first started, almost 11 years ago, she would sit down once a week to open 20–30 pieces of fan mail. As Whataburger has grown, that amount has grown closer to 200–300 pieces weekly.

Now she has to spend time almost every day opening it, but she doesn’t mind. Seeing people’s Whataburger stories makes Linda feel connected to them, as if she knows them.

“At Whataburger, we’re called family members,” Linda said. “I feel that connection at the office, and I feel it with our guests.” 
 

Endless “wow moments”

In 11 years, Linda has seen her share of “wow moments.” Sometimes, it’s fulfilling a simple request that brings someone to tears.

Once, a woman wrote in explaining how her father, who’d recently passed, loved his reusable Whataburger grocery bag so much he’d carry it everywhere. A family member accidentally threw it out, and she was looking for another one. Linda sent a letter back, along with a new bag.

“She told me how much it meant to her, and it brought tears to her eyes,” Linda said. “It was just a reminder of her father and his love for Whataburger.”

Sometimes she just enjoys hearing about people's adventures and accomplishments.

One of her favorites came from a man who took a four-day, 2,000-mile motorcycle trip from North Dakota to Amarillo, Texas and back with two friends, just to eat at Whataburger.

Another was from a physical therapist, describing his patient who had no motivation to rehabilitate at first. When he found out she liked Whataburger, he promised to treat her to it every week as long as she was trying her best. That motivation was all she needed to start making progress.

Whether they make her cry or laugh, each story is special to Linda.

“They just make my heart happy,” she says. “It makes me smile to hear that there's still so much goodness in the world.”