Whataburger

Whataburger began as a single hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas, on August 8, 1950. Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton set out to make a burger so large it required two hands, a deliberate contrast to the thinner patties common at the time. That first stand quickly built a following for its made-to-order approach, and by 1961 the orange-and-white striped A-frame buildings debuted in Odessa, Texas. Those structures became unofficial landmarks across the South, though many have since been modernized or replaced.

The Dobson family ran the company for 69 years. In June 2019, private equity firm BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority stake, with the family keeping a small share. The chain generated $4.31 billion in sales in 2025, ranking No. 6 among U.S. burger chains and No. 20 overall among fast-food brands. Headquartered in San Antonio, Whataburger operates more than 670 locations in Texas and over 150 more across New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and the Southeast, including recent openings in Florida.

The menu centers on beef burgers, from the classic Whataburger to the Triple Meat and Bacon & Cheese versions, alongside chicken sandwiches like the Whatachick'n and a full breakfast lineup with biscuits, taquitos, and egg platters. The company uses 100% pure American beef in its patties. Beyond the restaurants, Whataburger sells its sauces and condiments in grocery stores, and its mobile app offers curbside pickup, delivery, and a rewards program with exclusive deals. [edit]