How to get whataburger franchise ? | Franchise cost, Profit

By Startup Authority July 9

Whataburger Franchise

Burgers are the only thing Whataburger, a regional restaurant brand in the American South and Southwest, specialises in. Whataburger, famous for its red-and-white striped A-frame roofs, now has 700 locations. Its menu has also grown to include the Justaburger, Whatacatch fish sandwich, Whatachick'n chicken sandwich, and taquitos. Whataburger has also increased its breakfast menu to include breakfast sandwiches, and it now offers breakfast all day long.

History- Whataburger franchise

More than 70 years ago, a daring and tenacious businessman by the name of Harmon Dobson came up with the audacious notion to sell a burger so large that it required two hands to hold it and so delicious that after just one mouthful, diners couldn't help but exclaim, "What a burger!" In Corpus Christi, Texas, on Ayers Street, he opened a little hamburger business that he called "Whataburger franchise"

When Harmon Dobson opened Whataburger #1 on August 8, 1950, the heyday of drive-ins and American cars was just beginning. A burger so large that customers had to grip its five-inch bread with two hands was something this little burger establishment served. As a result of its immediate success, Harmon started to take his company into other markets. Harmon and Grace Williamson, the "First Couple" of Whataburger, were married in 1955. Harmon would launch Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida, by the end of the decade. It was the company's first Whataburger location outside of Texas.

Whataburger had 17 outlets by 1960. The first of the recognisable orange and white striped A-frames was constructed in Odessa, Texas, a year later. In 1962, French fries and hot pies were added to the menu, further expanding it. Harmon Dobson's death in an aircraft crash in 1967 brought tragedy to the Whataburger family. As Grace took over the company, the Dobson family and their larger Whataburger family came together to support her.

Whataburger achieved a number of firsts during the 1970s. The business prospered and expanded while Grace Dobson served as its head. More than 200 restaurants now have more than twice as many locations. In 1971, the very first drive-thru opened. Jalapenos and onion rings were also introduced to the menu, along with the Whataburger Jr. The original A-essence frame's was carried over into the new building design, which was unveiled. The country music icon Mel Tillis began making appearances in television ads for the business during this time, a position he would play through the 1980s.

Whataburger established its 300th restaurant at the conclusion of 1980. To the joy of hungry customers, three Corpus Christi establishments started operating around-the-clock, every day of the week two years later. Soon after, more items were added to the menu, such as the Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick'n, and the now-famous breakfast tacos. The well-known Nickel Mug debuted as a promotion that was meant to last one year but ran for fourteen instead. It is now a timeless piece of Americana. And by the end of 1989, Whataburger had 440 distinct sites where it was serving hot, fresh food.

For the first time since the 1990s, Whataburger saw a change in management when Tom Dobson, Harmon's son, was appointed president and CEO. The Whatameal, the A.1 Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips, and other new menu items were also unveiled. The business has crossed the 500-store mark, ranking it as the eighth-largest hamburger chain in the country.

Whataburger proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary on August 8, 2000, with 575 outlets open and millions of customers nationwide. What Texans had known for more than 50 years was finally acknowledged by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001: Whataburger as a "Texas Treasure." The Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich were two brand-new speciality products. Grace threw out the first pitch at the groundbreaking ceremony for Whataburger Field, the home of the Corpus Christi Hooks. Sadly, in 2005, the "Lady Grace" as she was affectionately known as passed away. In 2009, Whataburger relocated its headquarters from Corpus Christi to San Antonio.

Going online

By the time the business entered its seventh decade, Whataburger had expanded from a single Corpus Christi burger stand to an 800-restaurant network that covered all 50 states, from Arizona to Florida. The launch of the All-Time Favorites menu, which includes four of the most popular specialty sandwiches over the years, was met with jubilant applause by Whataburger devotees. Just over a year after its establishment, Whataburger's Facebook page had amassed 1 million admirers. 2013 saw the introduction of Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup, and Original Mustard at H-E-B shops and online at What A Store. 2019 saw the launch of online ordering through the Whataburger app and website. In 2019, Ed Nelson was elevated to President of Whataburger and BDT Capital Partners bought a majority stake in the company.

Whataburger is on a roll

Curbside pickup and delivery options, the company's first food truck, and its first new large-unit prototype all debuted in 2020, Whataburger's 70th anniversary year. In recognition of their remarkable contribution during the pandemic, they gave their Family Members (workers) incentives totaling more than $90 million the next year. Additionally, they promoted the general managers of their more than 850 restaurants to operating partners, making them the face of Whataburger in their neighbourhoods and fostering connections and collaborations with neighbourhood NGOs, businesses, and educational institutions. In their eighth decade, they expanded our restaurant network to 14 states by entering new cities like Kansas City, Nashville, and Colorado Springs.

Franchise Figures

Franchise cost- Not disclosed

Total investment- $1.2 million (unofficial)

Liquid Capital required- $5 million (unofficial)

How to open a Whataburger franchise?

Adequate capitalization : You need to have the necessary capital of $1,200,000 in order to open the Whataburger business.

Keep in mind the investment required for a restaurant franchise : You must factor in the price of the necessary tools, licences, and permits, as well as the price of uniforms, insurance, and other expenses.

Evaluate your prior experience and strengths : Before submitting an application to open a Whataburger franchise, you should carefully assess your prior business experience.

Market availability : Before moving forward with the franchising application, you should check the market availability for Whataburger franchises and determine if there are markets available in your target location.

Submission of application : Your application will be examined by the Whataburger franchise team. Upon receiving your online application, you will receive a confirmation email. In this email, we will also include the franchise owner's contact information.

Receiving approval & opening your Whataburger franchise

Whataburger Franchise Owner

Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, was the location of the original Whataburger restaurant, which was established by the intrepid and tenacious businessman Harmon Dobson. His sole objective was to serve burgers that required two hands to handle and would cause diners to yell, "What a burger!" With each burger being made to order with only the best American meat and toppings like grilled jalapenos, additional bacon, and thick layers of cheese, the eateries have maintained their stellar reputation for excellent hamburgers. Today, Tom, Harmon's son, oversees the business and extends an invitation to franchisees and workers to join as "Family Members."

Whataburger franchise outlets

Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are among the states where Whataburger has franchisees. The first Whataburger restaurant is located in Corpus Christi, Texas, but the company's operations have subsequently been moved to San Antonio.