Whataburger history

In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson and they became Whataburger's “First Couple.” Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom.

By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants.

The menu grew as well, with French fries and hot pies being added in 1962.

Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson was killed in a plane crash in 1967.

By the year 1968, the company already had 17 stores opened.

The first drive-thru was installed in 1971.

The company continue to expand more than more, and by the year 1972, there were 100 stores.

Whataburger began serving its now beloved breakfast menu in 1979.

By the year 1980, the company had opened its 300th store as well.

The chain didn't start operating around the clock until 1982.

And by the end of 1989, Whataburger was serving hot and fresh food at 440 different locations.

His wife, Grace, refused to sell the chain after his death and remained involved in its operations until 1993.

In the year 1999, the company had also opened a Whataburger by the Bay store in Corpus Christi.

On August 8, 2000, Whataburger proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 restaurants in operation and millions of fans all over the country.

In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature officially recognized what Texans had known for more than 50 years: Whataburger is a designated a ‘Texas Treasure.' New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich.

Sadly, in 2005, Whataburger Family Members mourned the loss of “Lady Grace” as she was called by many.

By the year 2007, the company had 700 stores and was raking in more than $1 billion in revenue as well.

Whataburger hits $1 billion in sales in 2008.

Whataburger moved its Home Office to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in 2009.

Starting in the year 2011, the company began to advertise itself on the television as well.

Whataburger’s Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch.

In the year 2015, the company had celebrated its 65th anniversary.

For example, in 2018 on Technomic’s list of the top 500 largest restaurants in the United States, Whataburger ranked 31st with $2.4 billion in revenue, which spiked 6%, a testament to its growth.

That changed in June 2019 when BDT Capital Partners, a merchant bank that invests in family and founder-led companies, made a majority investment in Whataburger.