Whataburger - The Rise and Fall...And Rise Again
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- Most viewers may not be familiar with Whataburger because they are found exclusively in the south, mostly in Texas. They have a relatively small, but loyal customer base, with big plans to expand. In this video, I talk about how they've grown in Texas while highlighting some of their successes and struggles over the years.
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I've been working at my local Whataburger for about 7 years now, and I still love our food. I've got a good team of people and a clean store to work in. I understand that a fast food job isn't glamorous, but I still have pride in the work I do there.
did a 3 year stay myself at one, and i also never got tired of the food. its all high quality stuff, my managers would get mad if they saw you using a tomato with a bad spot or anything like that. also the beef never being frozen is a big part of it.
Glad to hear that. Many fast food workers clearly don’t try and just coast. Good to hear you care.
Whataburger always goes hard. I literally work across the street from one. During lunchtime, those fries smell so good.
Glad to hear that they treat you well
Do they pay well? Most fast food is low paying revolving door type of job. Im just curious if they care about employee retention, most others in the segment couldn't care less.
Being a college student in Texas & having Whataburger open 24/7 was such a luxury.
Being open 24/7 is probably a huge contributing factor to the loyalty of customers, especially young customers, that this video missed.
Ha the only time I ever went to whataburger was leaving the bar drunk
nothing hits like a patty melt and chicken tenders at 1-2 AM
@@aid3782 I love the chocolate shake and apple pie with my melt!
@@aid3782 That Bacon Cheese Whataburger or the A1 Thick and Hearty (miss that thing) hit way, way better at 2AM and I don't even drink alcohol.
Native Texan here. Grew up on those hamburgers, so did my two brothers. Big part of our lives. When I had to move to Nashville, TN back in 2012, whenever I drove home to see family, no matter the time of day it was, the first stop was always Whataburger. Now, I even have converted my wife to them. Fun fact, there is a tradition about the markers that they use. It is considered that you are a true fan, if you steal them. :)
Similar story with me. Everytime I drive down to see family the first stop is usually whataburger. Although, one is opening where I live now so I probably will make my first stop braum's
Now we have them here
@@corywashington9580 Well, I grew up in Northwest TX, so the love of Braum's runs very deep indeed. !
Saw my lucky 13 and had to take it
Took # 7 by mistake but I didnt' return it either. Have no regrets.....spent half my life savings eating at Whataburger since 1974.
After a car crash (non fatal), Whataburger staff gave us a hefty meal at no extra charge. Some acts of kindness can never be forgotten.
My car broke down in the drive through in Alabama on my way back to Texas and they gave me whatever meal I wanted while I worked on it
@Omar Slim uh...
@Omar Slim damn…
Okay, you mentioned them in this video. Now you gotta do HEB. For all of its regionalism, it is still one of the best grocery chains in the US, hands down.
Well said. they also have some great fresh-made foods, and were one of the fastest companies to respond to the pandemic with supply chain fixes, sanitizing, line spacing, and hero pay bonuses for employees...all in March 2020.
@@Hrafnskald You bet. Not to mention it all stemmed from their disaster response plan that they have had for years. I think I read at the time the one thing they couldn't predict (and who could have) was the run on toilet paper.
Plus we can giggle at the Butt family name
I was thinking the same thing after that Publix video! I've lived in TX and GA so I love them both equally 😁
And they did just get a debit card
I've worked at a Whataburger in New Mexico a little bit over a year at this point and I'd say they've been a great company to work for. It's a fairly good working environment as far as fast food places go. Also their patty melt is absolutely incredible, if you haven't had it before try it.
Heckbya especially with green chile! I live in another state now but I miss that Patty Melt so much sometimes.
Your pfp looks familiar and I am ashamed of it
I like adding green chile or avocado to my whatachicken. Toast and gravy is comfort food and the tenders are great. Plus open 24 hours so my roommate can bring me a late night snack on his way home from a hospital shift.
New a kid whos dad made him quit working at whataburger in the same state because it was getting robbed and shot up every night
One thing I want to mention is King of the Hill. So many of my northern friends who came to visit me in Texas, wanted Whataburger because of that show.
They also wanted propane and propane accessories
Part of the genius marketing that shows like King of the Hill can only do, I tell you h'whut.
I’m in Texas and I had a college buddy from Mongolia. He came here expecting Texas to be like King of the Hill, character types, scenarios, etc. and at least in my opinion, it sure is.
I honestly thought whataburger was fake till my first visit to texas when i was a child. Won't lie king of the hill is the biggest reason i eat whataburger (besides the fact it's pretty good and consistent in taste) now that i live in texas
I remember thinking Whataburger was a fictional restaurant from King of the Hill until I drove past one one day.
As a current Whataburger employee, I will say that our customers are very loyal indeed, we usually get the same people come in every day for breakfast and lunchtime, and they usually order the same thing everyday, with some of them expecting the cashier to already know what they want to eat without them having to even say anything.
To be fair that’s any convenient store or fast food place that gets a regular customer
Hey I love Whataburger a lot, but i specifically haven't been back since they got rid of the Mushroom Swiss burger. any Idea when it will be back?
@@landonaldridge7813 Unsure if that will be coming back, although we are getting a white chocolate rasberry shake and a chili cheese burger with corn chips in it.
We had an old Lady that would come in she was the sweetest person I had ever known. I still remember her order as she would order the same thing. Every time she came in I always tried to make her smile.
Hello, cousin! Yes, I'm loyal to Whataburger too, bro.
If they expand I’m afraid the quality control will go down.
When I have a Whataburger I know that it’s gonna taste exactly the same I know exactly what I’m getting there’s no difference between one restaurant to the other And the quality of meat and ingredients, keeps me coming back. that’s what I expect out of a Whataburger.❤
Their quality has gone down. Mainly in Speed of Service.
@@tixximmi1I can’t agree more with you the food is still good imo but dam does it take forever to get
5 years ago it was fantastic then after covid it went to hell
@@Baseballismature New owners didn't help much.
If you're in or near Euless, Texas, avoid the Whataburger on Airport Freeway just past Westparkway and behind the Quik Trip, especially at night. Night staff are indifferent, with maybe one or two exceptions, and one of the night managers has a nasty attitude, and his contempt for customers shows!
Whataburger was my overtime comfort food. Coming out of a 16 hour shift at midnight, stopping at the Whataburger for a big burger, fries, and spicy ketchup…the best way to unwind.
Gotta have the spicy ketchup
Best way to decrease your life expectancy
@@megami215 a worthwhile sacrifice
I moved from Texas about 9 years ago now, and my local Walmart started to carry spicy and regular whataburger ketchup It went into the cart so fast
Asking if we’ve ever been to Whataburger is so surreal to me. That is probably the restaurant I’ve gone to most in my life. Back in high school, after literally every football game, win or lose, we’d head out to Whataburger.
Same here
never been there
@@bingusman69 should check it out, you’ll love it
Canadian so never been there, def would try tho.
never been, we have in n out
As someone who used to regularly go to Whataburger this 2019 thing where they got bought out by a bigger company I can tell you for a fact that the the quality of food served at Whataburger is nothing close to what it used to be and it really happened that quickly
Same. I've noticed that, too. Ten years ago, the patty was much better. But nowadays, if I want a burger I go to Freddy's or P. Terry's instead.
@@mattbowdenuh even P. Terrys is starting to go downhill unfortunately
Exactly it's not what it was 20 years ago
In San Antonio try burger boy
Burger Boy in San Antonio is becoming the new Whataburger, better quality and taste.
I visited a friend in Texas earlier this year and had Whata for the first time. The food tasted great, but what I really noticed was that they’re one of if not the only burger place to actually figure out that if you want bigger burgers, make them wider, not taller.
What about Burger King?
@@dannkk Burger Who?
@@dannkk Their burgers are mediocre compared to Whataburger
@@dannkk 😂 no
@@lifeisshrt7929 abso freaking lutlely not. burger king is the goat of all burger chains, that is actually affordable. does whataburger even flame grill their beef?
As a Corpus native, when you go to the two story location in downtown, if it’s not too hot, you MUST eat your food out on the upstairs patio! You get views of Corpus Christi Bay and all the boats out on the water.
Also, Company Man forgot to mention this, but in 2005, Corpus Christi got a new minor league ballpark and named it Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, and yes you can get a Whataburger while watching a baseball game at the ballpark! Truly an experience you can’t get anywhere else!
When I was there it looked like the seagulls were wrecking anybody who dared to eat outside :D
Yeahhhhhhh, there’s that only negative part of it lol.
A lot of good memories going to Hooks games and eating WB. The line was always so long though!
As a Corpus native, upstairs is good enough.
I took my wife to Whataburger on the Bay for her first visit to the chain. She loved it! There was a homeless gentleman who walked in and asked us if he could have a meal. The guy was super nice and funny, so we bought him a #2 with a chocolate shake. The staff accidentally made a strawberry shake, so they remade him a chocolate one and my eight-month-pregnant wife got to enjoy her first Whataburger shake. She loved that, too!
Liberal moment
@@AJ1999Flex wut
As a Texan, they have done well by embracing southern and Texan cooking, not just the standard McDonalds fare. They stay open 24/7, which is handy when you need a late night snack. My favorite is their chicken strips and toast with dipping white gravy. And yes, there was a big backlash when they moved the headquarters to Chicago, because Whataburger is so tied to Texas culture. I have friends originally from Texas who live out of state, who make a big point of visiting a location first thing after landing when they come back to Texas to visit.
As a Texan, something a lot of people don't know about us is that we have access to most of the major burger chains. The only one missing I believe is White Castle, which is pretty niche anyways.
We can objectively settle the In-n-out vs Whataburger debate, especially given that so many Californians are flocking to Texas for our cheaper cost of living while still having large cities.
@@blueshirt1619 Texas DQ has its own menu, so in addition to the chicken strip basket, we have a steak finger basket as well. And tacos, fried jalapeno strips, taco salad, chicken & dumplins, etc.
Whataburger at 2am hits different
That is true, one time visiting in Houston, Texas, we needed to eat somewhere and all the other restaurants were closed, even McDonald's, we found that Whataburger was open and didn't regret our decision. Also, while there is Whataburger at my home state of Florida, it is mostly exclusive to North Florida like in Pensacola or Jacksonville.
@@nahor88 Heck you even have In and Out! (miss that place)
The numbered table tents for ordering are so iconic, I think every Texan has a few in their homes. In fact a few years ago, Houston PD put out a memo for officers to stop using them as evidence markers at crime scenes 🤣
My high school football team stole one for me and put it in my locker after I managed to play well on my first start 🤣
Culver's does this too! I feel like at least half of us Midwesterners have one or two lying around lol
i remember in high school ppl started getting in trouble for theft for taking the table markers
Something you forgot to mention, and something that I like, is that they're open 24 hours in many locations, and that you can order anything from the menu, regardless of time. So if you want something from the breakfast menu at 10 pm, they'll cook it, even if it takes a bit longer.
Another thing is that, many years back, they sold these "Nickel Cups", in which, if you took the mug to the location, you'd get your mug filled for a nickel. They no longer sell these anymore, bit if you still have the mug at home, they'll still honor the offer. My grandpa, rest his soul, always took his mug when crossing the border, and until the last time he ever visited a location, they honored his Nickel Cup.
Yes, they still honor it. My Dad had two Nickel Cups.....one at home (light brown glass) and one in his truck (plastic thermo-type with a lid). After he passed away three years ago, I took one there and yep, it was $0.05 for a coffee in that mug!
An advantage they have is being open 24x7. It's great when I'm coming home from a party or Pearl Bar and decide "a burger sounds good."
I also love that they used to sell breakfast all day as well. I believe now they serve from 11pm to 11am but thats still good cause there's nothing better than eating a chorizo taquito at 2am after a night of drinking!
Dr. Pepper shake is where it's at.
There food is there is advantage period
Wtf is a pearl bar?
@@van3158 If he's from San Antonio, there is The Pearl, a region of business on the northeast of downtown.
You didn't mention two other important things:
They're open 24 hours (most of them at least)
The breakfast menu is amazing and is served 11pm to 11am
The first Whataburger outside Texas opened in my hometown, Pensacola, FL. The original building is gone but the location itself is still open, its store number is in the low two digits. As a result, Whataburger has a long history here- I'm in my early 40s, and my Dad has childhood memories of getting Whataburger. It's great stuff, and I think it could be a major player nationwide.
Hope they didn't get nailed too hard by Ian, I didn't know they even had Whataburger in FL.
@@LandRunProductions Pensacola is right next to Mobile, AL. We lucked out...this time.
@@tonyrichards254 Heck I’m in Jacksonville and we also lucked out.
Grew up in FWB and we had two, plus the one in Crestview. That was my introduction. It stemmed from my TX based families love for the chain.
@@LandRunProductions Never got anywhere near the panhandle. Pensacola is the furthest western point in Florida. Basically adjacent to the border with Alabama's panhandle. Ian came in through the southwestern part of the peninsula. Florida is a much larger state geographically than it seems on a map. Takes roughly 12 hours to drive fully across from Pensacola to Miami.
One thing that (understandably) wasn't mentioned was their breakfast, which features some unique items like the Breakfast on a Bun and Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. I remember reading a while back that they will never discount the Whataburger.
That honey butter chicken biscuit is too damn good
Wendy's also has both of those items on their breakfast menu.
Whataburger had them first; Wendys current breakfast lineup is barely a few years old.
I did try the Wendy’s versions and they’re mediocre compared to the originals.
Moving away for work from Houston, this is what I miss the most tbh
@@shannonhenson609 But they pale in comparison to Whataburger's imo.
I was still a kid when I left Texas and didn't know the difference between a good burger and a bad one. After nearly 20 years I came home and finally tried Whataburger again and realized they are one of the best burger places. If I want a burger, especially late at night, this is where I go.
Exact same here. I even wrongly thought for a time that In-N Out was better. No; Whataburger is the best
@@Fuckthis0341 in n out is the most burger tasting burger. It's not unique tasting like whataburger
As a native San Antonian I can without a doubt say that it’s actually pronounced “water-burger.”
Oh trust me you not only one who pronounced it
Same in Shreveport! 😆
Yeah same in my home town 😂
I literally thought this was the name as a kid. I have since switched to calling it waddaburger just to not say waterburger.
I grew up Saying water-burger too
I'm a store manager at the busiest location in the state of Florida. Been with the company for 1 year & I absolutely LOVE this company! They take VERY GOOD CARE of us. Enjoyed watching this!
My family and I are originally from Texas and we moved to Kansas City, Missouri back in the late 80s...we loved whataburger and every time we go visit family in Texas, we MUST stop and eat at whataburger. Long story short, we are KC Chiefs fans and our quarterback Patrick Mahomes requested we get a few whataburgers up here and sure enough, he got his wish granted. Thank you, Patrick! We have a few whataburgers up here in the Kansas City area now if anyone is passing by and is interested. 🤘🏼
Yes Patrick, Thank-you for the KC locations! Only a matter of time before StJo and Omaha!
Nice! I live in Oklahoma & am considering moving to KC, this is an added bonus 😂
That's cool!! Hickory Creek by chance?
As a Texan, we have to eat Whataburger at least once every other week.
Yes, it’s a rule.
Lmao
Me and my son go once a week. I know many people that go multiple times a week.
@Thomas Jordan says the one with negative comments 😂
Same. #1 with grilled jalapeños. Whatasized. Spicy ketchup-one new and one old.
I used to live in Texas and loved going to Whataburger (chicken strips and pepper gravy are amazing). I'm excited for the company now that it is expanding.
Thank you for covering this company. It was great to hear about. Your videos are always great and thorough.
As someone from Corpus Christi, Whataburger is a big part life here. The largest one (Whataburger By-The-Bay) is really a site to see with a great view of the waters from within. It's tough when I go on trips because there often isn't one around when I get homesick so I view the expansion as a plus.
As someone from San Antonio I can say the same here
If you haven’t guessed, Whataburger has a cult following in Texas. And it is very common for it to be referred to as “Water Burger.” Great-tasting burgers and fries. I’ve never heard of anyone not liking it.
Hahaha I used to have some many arguments as a little kid by calling it “waterburger”. They were right lol.
To the point where a certain senator got reamed for liking White Castle sliders because his state had NO WC franchises. #triplemeatWhataburgerliberal
Recently a list of the 5 best burger chains in Texas did not include Whataburger, as if anyone cares about that poll.
1. A&W Restaurants
2. In-N-Out Burger
3. Steak 'n Shake
4. Shake Shack
5. Culver's
Don’t dislike it but it’s definitely not in the same tier as shake shack and in n out. It’s a decent fast food burger
I don’t like it. I don’t get the appeal. I purposely went to Whataburger to compare it to In-N-Out and it wasnt even a contest. The latter won in spades.
I love Whataburger and eat there as often as I can. I loved that they are trying new things like the Chili Cheese Burger, the Breakfest Bowl, and the Peppercorn Ranch Chicken Sandwich . I just wish they'd bring back the A1 Thick and Hearty Burger.
I understood why the Dobson family sold the majority of the business. They wanted to expand the company's reach but needed financial backing to do it. It's crazy that they are almost at 1,000 stores nationwide.
A1 Thickburger was the best thing they did since spicy ketchup. Soooo goood.
@@nickhall1115 Right... Best burger they ever had.
I think it was a cash grab, pure and simple. "They wanted to expand the company???" THEY DON'T OWN IT ANYMORE!!! It's just PR bull-hockey.
My new idea open stores in Davenport Iowa and des moines
Whataburger truly is one of the best in the game. Their quality and portion size is what puts them close to the top for me! I'm very fortunate in that I live in Colorado, so in my city we have a lot of regional favorites including, Whataburger, Five Guys, Culvers, In-N-Out, and my personal local favorite, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.
damn to think we didn’t get in n out until 2020 and whataburger literally just this year! any non colorado natives really need to try freddys I swear it’s better than in n out
Freddy's is great! I would love to see a Company Man video about them
Freddys is my favorite. Don’t see people talking about it that much
In & out is by far the best one.
@@pats334 never heard of that. I don't think it's in the west coast either. At least there's Whataburger somewhere in the West Coast.
Hadn't heard of Whataburger till I moved to Texas some years ago, but it is huge here. At least in DFW, you're never more than a few minutes from one. Its the go-to burger place, along with Chick-fil-A for chicken and Dr. Pepper for a drink. Not as numerous as other super-chains but it has a really loyal fanbase.
Fr I usually go to the one that’s right next to my work during break, but one night it was sadly closed for something but I just did a 7 min drive to another location 😂
I remember being a bit of a snob and thinking whataburger is just where drunks go to get crappy food at 2 am, until one wednesday I had a long day at work and got off at 2 am, being to tired to cook I decided to try it out. Bit of a wait, but the quality impressed the hell out of me. The tomato was like, fresh, never had that on a fast food burger before, I was amazed lol. Their ketchup is really good too. Never go to BK/McD over whataburger when I have a fast food craving anymore.
Whataburger is a perfect example of why family businesses can be so successful.
My first time going to whataburger was when my husband and I went to Texas to pick up a friend who was moving in with us. Friends who live in Texas said we needed to go to Whataburger while we were there, so we went. We absolutely loved it! ❤️ And one opened not far from us at the time last year! I do hope they come to where my husband and I moved to as well.
Been to Whataburger. Many times. Was raised in Corpus. Seeing those locations in your video was certainly strange having been there many times.
My younger brother was actually friends with Harmon Dobson, not the founder, but his grandson who was named after him.
Where I’m at now, Colorado Springs, they’ve recently opened two Whataburgers. Kind of nice to see a staple of my childhood again.
Whataburger on the bay!
When I go to visit I want to eat on the patio but it’s always too sunny. Maybe next time.
My grandpa was born and raised in Corpus and went to the first burger stand there before moving to Lubbock. Which is part of the reason why I suggested this video on company man’s website. Ive been to that location in the Springs and never thought they’d expand to CO
@@wyattseimthey used to be in Colorado way back when, there was one on 84th in Thornton, now a Grandpa’s Burger Haven.
Whataburger makes me realize how great being a Texan is.
Right on Cowboy 🤣
DAMN STRAIGHT.
Then there's Texas Motor Speedway.
Ahahahaha
I have one around the corner from my house in Florida
Whataburger had a couple of locations in Tennessee in the 70s and 80s. I used to eat there when I was a kid, but they closed them in the later 80s. They finally came back, and they seem to be doing really well.
I'm a current employee I take care of the Produce and Pride in My Job.
Everything is Fresh and Worthy.
Couldn't work for a Better Company, Makes Me Proud and Happy to Work for this Company and Their #1 Burger. 🇺🇸❤️
Everything is Fresh and Made to Order, Your Way is Whataburger's Way ❤️
Have been waiting for Whataburger to make it to the central midwest for years, finally took the family to one in Texas while on a trip to California for Christmas last year. In high school my group of friends would take a motorcycle ride down to the gulf every summer and stopping at a Whataburger was kid of a tradition.
Speaking as an over the road truck driver, Whataburger is one of the things I'll go out of my way to plan necessary breaks around. If I have the flexibility to drop by a truck friendly location, or one that is within walking distance of a truck stop, that's a huge temptation. Awesome burgers, great sauces, decent fries, grab a milkshake.
I actually didn't realize they had a slump, since I was only properly exposed to the franchise after the rebound.
From the business standpoint, I think Whataburger has strong potential to expand into other states very successfully if they stick to the culture of quality. If they sacrifice that, I don't think they'll make their mark. Should probably also be wary of competing too hard with regional / hometown favorites. They have what it takes to take on the major national brands, but as those brands have themselves discovered, misjudging the market can lead to unsuccessful locations when trying to directly compete with the foot traffic and demand of a local superstar.
Basically. It sounds like the South's version of Culver's. Regional core audience, menu is more or less defined by the local culture with nuances more national chains don't get, slow but steady expansion focusing on quality control over quantity served.
I live in Kennesaw, where the first Whataburger in Georgia just opened up. It opened on November 28th, and today, a week later (December 5th), the drive thru line for it still takes at least an hour to get through. Not a problem with the workers, it's just the demand is so high. I'd say they're definitely doing well in Georgia so far.
The Whataburger in Thomasville, GA opened almost 10 years ago. The first one in Georgia opened a little before that in Valdosta, but it has since closed.
When Whataburger opens, all other Whataburger managers are on call to work in the new unit. Sometimes up to a month so the new crew is ready to go. It's a military operations sometimes.
We've got five in pensacola, like company man was saying pensacola is where the first out of state one was. There are multiple periods through the day where each spot has an hour long line
Gosh, going to the whataburgers here in Phoenix has been an amazing experience, Their hatch green chile double burgers is by far my favorite item to order. Breakfast is neat as well!
Whataburger is becoming a big deal here in The Valley, at least for me!
As a Texan this video was great 😃 it was awesome to learn about their history. 😎 Love me some Whataburger
I absolutely love this channel and I usually like to wait about 2 months and then come back and binge watch all of the episodes and one go. It's a lot of fun. This is hands down the best channel for talking about the history of companies and hearing all the ins and outs of them. It's so much fun to see the highs and lows and how it goes/went down.
I live in Nashville Tennessee and they are expanding in this area like crazy. They just opened up their first location this summer and now there are several.
If they are as good as in Texas, you're in for a treat.
I think it’s also great to highlight the quality of their menu. The experience is “fast food”, but it definitely tastes better and is prepared better than most fast food chains. And that goes for all of their menu items, not just the burgers.
A part of me is slightly paranoid about them expanding, because I don’t want that to impact their originality, but I am excited to be able to access their stores more when traveling. “Water-burger” is absolutely an experience!
I miss Whataburger... Living here in Chicago.. I fell in love with them when I lived in Oklahoma City & San Antonio.. My. Favorite was the double whataburger with cheese and fries...
@Mykl Allen Hmm Oklahoma city I've Never heard or seen a Whataburger there unless there's a new location
@Guadalupe Lancon It was located on Midwest Blvd & NW 23rd in Midwest City
I think something not mentioned is the quality of the menu overall. Breakfast dinner dessert and seasonal items are probably the best of any fast food chain and the numbers seem to show it
My favorite Whataburger story is when my old roommate who had recently moved to Texas from California had his brother and two cousins visit from back home, the first thing he did was take them to Whataburger and they liked it so much they went back every day for the rest of the trip. My go-to is a double with cheese, all the veggies, grilled jalapenos, and spicy ketchup for the fries. Also, can't sleep on their 11pm-11am breakfast!
Damn straight. Man, sometimes I get a huge hankering for their taquitos super late on a Saturday night, and head over there to see a line of cars still wrapped around the place. :)
@@bozimmerman That's a flat out normal thing. I call it the Midnight Munchie Rush because they've almost always have at least 7 cars in line 'round that time.
I'm a lifelong Californian, when I was five there was a Whataburger in my So. Cal. hometown. As I recall that particular restaurant closed sometime after.
As a Texan, this is refreshing to see a video about this cool (formerly) Texas-based brand. I had no idea it was in any other state besides Texas though 😂
Me either 😂
We have a couple here in NC. Honestly don’t like their food
We have them in the Tulsa area. I like some of their food.
Back in 05 I stumbled upon one in some random town while driving through Florida and it blew my mind
One time, driving between Atlanta and Detroit, I took a detour through Birmingham AL, just to get a Whataburger. That's how amazing Whataburger is.
That’s literally the only reason I look forward to that lonnnnnng drive from NC to visit my in-laws in MS- we get to stop at Whataburger in Birmingham! Woohoo!
I love Whataburger. It's a Texas thing. The burgers are decent, but the fries could really use an upgrade pretty much across the board. Being a night-owl, I love that they're open 24-7.
My favorite thing to get from them is their Patty Melt with bacon and jalapenos. Absolute fire.
I heard they kinda suck now compared to the past
Man, I love the fries
@@scubajoe3321 idk why but I always feel sick after eating at a Whataburger, and I never have any issues with burgers or fries anywhere else
Honestly I never get the actual burgers, I always get the Buffalo ranch chicken strip sandwich cause they slap 💪🏼
what are you talking about their fries are great
I'm a native texan, and I do love this chain very dearly. It always gives me fond memories of when I was about 8 years old and my dad would take me to get breakfast taquitos on the way to my soccer games on saturdays. And now, we use Whataburger as a late night hangout since it's 24 hours and even their indoor dining is 24 hours despite being fast food.
I had this one in Texas and it was definitely better than McDonald's or the other more known fats food places. Never seen one up north sadly though.
Was "fats food" a typo or intentional? 🤣
@@RobSchellinger both
Whataburger is the absolute best. One of the things I miss from living in Texas.
Something you forgot - they are open 24 hrs a day and their burger menu is always available. Was definitely unique back when I was on college.
From Chicago originally, moved to San Antonio back in 2020. I can tell you Whataburger is fantastic. It’s better than any fast food burger that Chicago currently has.
Culver's?
I'm excited to see a whataburger eventually open up here in Chi. we've got good burgers here, but not really any good FAST FOOD burgers besides Culver's
I'm from chi-town and recently visited family in San antonio tx, they told us we had to visit whataburger and taste their burgers. they said the burgers were amazing! So we went to wataburger, and to be honest my family and i think Culver's is better, but that's just my opinion.
Whataburger is such a generational tradition here in South Texas. I don't think there is a single family I know of that wouldn't at some point have a conversation between grandparents, parents and kids about that store and memories from it. I love me a double meat, double cheese on Texas Toast.
Also think this is a low key factor, but there has always seemed to be this rivalry between Whataburger and In and Out. I personally believe once In and Out started making it's way East and it's promotion started spreading, Whataburger fans took notice and started to push back and promote our home team harder than it had been in years.
I just learned about Buc-ee's. The Walmart of gas stations. Also a Texas-centric company. Would love a video about them.
Just opened their 1st location in Alabama maybe 10 miles from my house. WTF!!!
Texan here. Yeah, please avoid comparing Buc-ee's to Walmart. The two are miles apart.
The part I liked best about Whataburger while I went to school in Texas was the ability to build your own burger, mixing and matching elements. I've seen Culver's try similar things in recent years, but it's not nearly as extensive. I'd welcome a Whataburger up where I am now.
I was raised om Whataburger and its kind of my go to, but we have a culvers in San Antonio, and thats always a fun treat... I cant get enough cheese curds.
I'm from Oregon and in 2020 I drove to Texas to visit some friends. I got to try it for the first time in my life and I was amazed, there is no competition. A combination of lower prices, much larger portions and better tasting burgers just makes them the best. Also there is a location in Colorado. Also something I've noticed is that anyone from the South that says "whataburger" sounds like they are saying "waterburger".
Truth, we like burgers not pronouncing words correctly.
Yea I'm from Texas and EVERYONE says it like that, especially in the south. I think I'm the only one that doesn't
As a Texan I can confirm we do that
The burgers are ok. Can definitely tell they're cooked to order, which is nice. But the breakfast biscuits....they are fire. Love the breakfast sammies.
omg, the biscuits are amazing!
Those biscuits with their sausage gravy is a go to for me for breakfast. Always get an extra biscuit for that extra gravy leftover.
Honestly one of the best regional fast food chains. Their honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich is fantastic
oh god, those are so good. It has so many calories in it though.
ON A REGULAR BUN!
As someone from San Antonio, Whataburger is a big deal for me. When I found their bottled ketchup at a Walmart in Hawaii, I needed to show my family back home. It’s a place that has sentimental value as I have good memories with friends and family there
Never been to Whataburger, but would love to try one.
I was close to one back in Texas.
If you ever go, I would recommend the sweet and spicy bacon burger. My favorite. Get it every time I go.
Oh you should try it out their burgers are amazing and especially their new Burgers
I have been waiting for this for years also first thank you as a texan I feel appreciated
Love Whataburger, the quality lowered in the nineties but still better than other fast food joints.
It lowered once again when that Chicago firm bought it.
Lived in Houston for 23 years. Now, when I go down to visit, my first stop when I leave the airport is Whataburger!! Best fast food hamburger ever! I get the original, just the way it comes. I don’t even add cheese to it. It’s awesome!!
I'm surprised you didn't mention What-A-Burger. A restaurant on the east coast (NC I think) with a nearly identical name, also founded in the 50's. Neither restaurant knew of the other until the 70's and they decided to just stay as they had always been and not argue over the name. Could become a problem though if Whataburger decides to expand too close to their doppelganger.
Its in Newport News, Virginia!! I live not too far from them and they have a sign that says that they are not associated with the Whataburger chain
I live there as well, great burgers. But Whataburger in Texas did try to sue the What-A-Burger brand and although they won the right to thr trademark, it was determined the NN, VA location did not infringe upon the Whataburger franchise. Ironlically the East Coast chain opened first.
Living in Texas, Whataburger is practically a religion. My go-to is the honey BBQ chicken sandwich, but some of their seasonal special burgers are great too. Their spicy ketchup is the bomb!
It IS the bomb. Did you see that Heinz tried to copy it with a Jalepeno Ketchup? It's horrible, but the fact that they tried tells you how well Whataburger is are doing with their stuff.
Buffalo chicken strip sandwich and Monterrey Melt are my go-to's, but if I'm trying to be "healthier" I'll go with the classic Whataburger. Then there's the Honey Butter chicken biscuit... OMG.
They also have a surprisingly amazing fish sandwich What-a-catch.
West Texan here and I grew up on Whataburger. My brother worked there so naturally I followed suit. Some of the best burgers and memories where made there. 10/10 will not stop going ever
While traveling in Dallas I did try Whataburger and liked their food. I tend to like mustard on my hamburgers and they have that as one of their standard condiments on their Whataburger. The quality is definitely better than McDonalds. Glad to see you covering regional businesses now. Some of the best stories are regional.
The mustard was developed to seal the bun and to keep the moisture in it. It's a special mustard.
What a company
I encountered Whataburger in Louisiana in the mid 1970's and in Texas. I loved their Whataburgers and I make a point of visiting one of their restaraunts every time I am in an area with one. I just wish they had some here in North Carolina where I settled.
I've had whataburger once at the Dallas Airport, where my 1 hour layover turned out to be an 8 hour one. I was full the whole time though from whataburger at least. Unrelated but I'd like to see a video on another southern chain, cook-out.
Cookout is definitely a value. Cheap as hell and they have cheer wine.
Cook out is trash but they have variety I guess.
@@revejmal i bet you smell bad
Yes! definitely need to do cookout, that 5 dollar tray deal kept me fed most of my young poor life lol
I haven't been a to a Whataburger since around 2004 in the FL panhandle. I remember it being exceptionally good and wishing we had them back home in RI. But that was a long time ago now, and I don't know how they'll do trying to break into new markets in an industry already becoming oversaturated with burger places. They're something like 10-15 years too late. Five Guys, Smashburger and others have exploded in locations and populatiry over the last several years. It's a crowded space to be in, if you're not already there.
@MarcBern if they stick to their way of doing business and don’t take shortcuts in the expansion it will flourish we’re ever they go. Great food and service always sells.
I live in San Antonio and spend a lot of time in Corpus, so you could say I have eaten a lot of Whatabuger; it was my favorite chain burger place. But since BDT Capital bought it the food and service quality have gone down. I do still eat there, but near as much as I use to.
I think service, in general, at a lot of retail stores is struggling a bit. I'm not sure why, just my personal experience.
I agree
I love Whataburger! Good customer service too. It's awesome how this family-owned joint expanded but prudently, keeping regional to the southern and SW portion of the country.
Spicy ketchup is the best thing at whataburger
Honey butter chicken biscuit one of the best bfast items in a fast food restaurant. As others have mentioned, WB had a decline in quality after 2019 BUT, well managed and staffed locations still pump out good food. My local WB is still a go-to. Great to learn the history about the color scheme and design choices
Still my favorite burger joint. Even when I'm not ordering my usual, I'm still pleasantly surprised by the food quality and taste.
Maybe I just live near good Whataburger stores, but it's never let me down
I worked at whataburger for 3 years and the leadership and integrity of the company is very intact . This company is going huge
After 3 weeks, I was tired of that place. Too many youngin's working and serving
I had this when visiting Texas and Arizona
Loved it!! I'd love to see them expand into international markets
We have Whataburger all over the Florida panhandle. There's one nearly ten minutes from me, and that place and Culver's are my go-to burger joints near where I live. Whataburger's food is pretty good, and they are very convenient for post karaoke or concert eating, since they are open 24 hours here. The breakfast is also really good, and you can get it late night too.
I have one down the road about the same distance that stays open 24hrs too and going there after 10 is like going to a party, it's packed, loud and there are prolly some people there who are drunk.
I work at one of the locations in fort walton, such shitty management its ridiculous.
Same here. Whataburger and Culver’s are my go-to’s as well. Ours is more popular than McDonald’s especially from 11pm onwards.
The Whataburger branded condiments are also available at Brookshire's and WinCo stores as well as H-E-B/Central Market.
Walmart too, at least in East Texas.
Been going to Whataburger since I was a kid in Austin, Texas. I love it! Still have fantastic burgers!
I'm in Oklahoma, so I'm lucky enough to live less than 3 minutes away from 2 Whataburgers, and truthfully I thought they were everywhere. I've always preferred them over other burger places, finding the size of the burger to be a big factor for me, since I like burgers that go out not up. Though overall I think that, combined with sorta odd but well made menu items that aren't just burgers is what makes them so good here. I could get something different every time I go and probably enjoy it.
they are amazing. Whataburger and In & Out deserve to be everywhere
Two different philosophies of burgers. Whataburger being the classic Texas burger. In N Out the California burger. Both are amazing.
They are, you just move to north Texas though.
It would kinda ruin the charm, though. Would be like putting an Eiffel Tower in every city, you can't have that now.
Grew up in Whataburger in the early 90s as a teen in Arizona. Been in Oregon 22 years now. Anytime I travel. I pick up a Whataburger with extra mustard and jalapeños. Had my sister in law go to Arizona for a bachelorette party. She knew I loved whataburger and ordered it for 50 people. No one liked it that much. Found out she had Whataburger JRs. They are not the same as the Whataburger size. They don’t taste the same.
I was disappointed…
True story: back when I was in college in Orlando in 2008, I emailed corporate to ask when they planned to expand to New Jersey. The first time I had Whataburger was in Houston.
Did they reply?
@@eyeheartsushi2212 they are probably still upset because of Bon Jovi.
@@ridgerunner106 LOL I know Bon Jovi is from Jersey but what else do I need to know to get this?
@@eyeheartsushi2212 I think it is something that can't be understood. Like, did you walk to school or carry your lunch?
Literally eating at Whataburger while watching this.
Glad to hear they're expanding, they are good to stop at when going by those few locations outside Texas or visiting Texas.
Texans in the chat be going crazy, me included.
Best fast food burger place ever. The other day I even said they can hold their own against your specialty burger places
They absolutely are and absolutely can🤝🏻
I'm originally from Texas and miss Whataburger. Now I live near Joplin, MO and we're supposedly getting one soon. I can't wait.
Also others mentioned that a huge part of their success is being open 24/7. We don’t have many waffle houses here in Texas so after a night of drinking and partying nothing else hits like Whataburger at 3am.
Also it’s very common in college towns for people to pass out in Whataburger drive through a lol
preach it!
I had them once in texas when I was taken to visit a specialist. It was a nice burger joint one of if not the best I’d ever been in
We had a Whataburger open in my area and the hype was insane. They closed a busy highway because of the traffic backups
As a Mexican from south of the border, here we LOVE Whataburger (or "El Guara"). It's my go-to place to eat something at a decent price, very filling and tasty.
I'm wary about the expansion, hope they don't take foolish decisions like falling for the "healthy" gimmick. You're eating at a fast food place, you're not exactly there to eat something super healthy, in which case, cook at home, or look for someone who can cook you healthy meals.
Bro, same! I remember when they used to be at Monterrey, I absolutely loved them, sadly they closed at around 2005. Now if we want to get a taste we have to go there