Whataburger’s Fancy and Spicy Ketchup Celebrate Five Years in H-E-B: A Match Made in Texas
May 22, 2018 --
Five years ago, two Texas brands made sauce history.
That’s when H-E-B and Whataburger began a partnership to offer the orange-and-white restaurant’s iconic Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard in H-E-B stores and Central Market locations.
“As two born-and-raised Texas brands, we always knew H-E-B and Whataburger go together like fries and ketchup, but even so we couldn’t believe the response from customers,” said Mark Bradshaw, H-E-B Business Development Manager. “We’re honored to celebrate a successful five-year partnership between two iconic Texas institutions and look forward to working together on more delicious products in the future.”
Since then, Whataburger has added more Signature Sauces and other retail products to H-E-B shelves, including Honey Butter, Whataburger Breakfast Sausage and Original Pancake Mix. In all, H-E-B sells more than 20 Whataburger-brand products, but it was Original Mustard, Fancy and Spicy Ketchup that started it all.
“Our customers really wanted to buy our ketchup in bottles – so much so that Fancy Ketchup even had its own Facebook fan page – and this partnership makes it possible for our customers to stock up in the grocery aisle,” said Whataburger Vice President of Retail Mike Sobel. “It’s really fun to think back on this announcement five years ago, and also to think about the possibilities between H-E-B and Whataburger that could lay ahead.”
To mark the anniversary and thank fans for their devotion, Whataburger and H-E-B created an epic cake.
Hungry for more? Check out these fun facts about Fancy and Spicy Ketchup:
- In 2009, a Whataburger Ketchup fan page emerged on Facebook, developed by fans. The page still exists today.
- In 2012, Whataburger held a contest to give away the last case of its then limited-edition Spicy Ketchup before bringing it back in 2013 in H-E-B stores
- Since 2013, H-E-B has sold enough Whataburger Ketchup to fill more than 2,800 pickup truck beds.
- In 2013, Whataburger Fancy and Spicy Ketchup became H-E-B’s first Primo Picks, one-of-a-kind products found at H-E-B.
- In 2015, Whataburger celebrated Fancy Ketchup cups’ 30-year anniversary in restaurants with a #FancySKETCHUP contest where they sketched fans’ portraits using ketchup
Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio with more than 900 locations across its 14-state footprint and sales of more than $3 billion annually. Whataburger is a 2022 Top Workplaces winner. The brand has more than 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just like they like it. Visit whataburger.com for more information. To apply for Whataburger jobs, visit whataburger.com/careers.