Why Is Whataburger Only in the South? And Where It’s Going Next
Whataburger is mostly in the South because it was a Texas family business for almost 70 years, and the family chose to grow slowly. Instead of selling franchises all over the country, it opened restaurants close to home where it could keep a close eye on quality.
That is changing now. Since new owners took over in 2019, Whataburger has been moving into more states, including some far from Texas.
Where did Whataburger start?
Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton opened the first Whataburger on August 8, 1950, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson wanted a burger so big that people would say, “What a burger!” The name stuck.
In 1961, the chain built its famous orange and white A-frame restaurant in Odessa, Texas. Those striped roofs became a Texas symbol. Today the main office is in San Antonio.
Why did Whataburger grow so slowly?
- It was family-owned. The Dobson family ran it until 2019. Family companies often grow carefully instead of chasing fast growth.
- It ran most of its own stores. When the family sold in 2019, only about 126 of its restaurants were franchised. Opening company stores takes more money and time than selling franchises.
- Fresh food needs nearby supply. Whataburger makes burgers to order with fresh beef. Building new supply routes into far away states is hard.
- Texas was a huge market. With more than 670 Texas stores in 2019, there was plenty of room to grow at home.
Who owns Whataburger now?
In 2019, the Dobson family sold most of the company to BDT Capital Partners, an investment firm based in Chicago. Today it is listed as BDT & MSD Partners. The family still holds a small piece. The new owners have pushed for more growth outside Texas.
Which states have Whataburger?
By 2026, Whataburger had about 1,211 restaurants in these states:
| Region | States |
|---|---|
| Home base | Texas |
| Southwest and West | Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada |
| Central | Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas |
| Southeast | Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina |
So while it is still mostly a Southern chain, it now reaches the Midwest and the West too. New openings are often announced on Whataburger’s website and app.
What should you order at Whataburger?
The classic Whataburger costs about $5.49 and has about 590 calories. It comes on a large 5 inch bun with mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions. Fans also love the Patty Melt, the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit and the Spicy Ketchup.
| Burger | Typical price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Whataburger Jr. | About $3.99 | 310 |
| Whataburger | About $5.49 | 590 |
| Double Meat Whataburger | About $7.29 | 830 |
| Triple Meat Whataburger | About $8.99 | 1,070 |
See all prices on our Whataburger menu with prices, or check Whataburger breakfast hours. Many Whataburger stores are open 24 hours.
Other regional burger chains have the same story. Read what states have In-N-Out, or see the In-N-Out menu and the Culver’s menu.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Whataburger only in the South?
Whataburger was owned by the Dobson family until 2019 and grew slowly, running most stores itself near its Texas base. New owners are now expanding it into more states.
Where did Whataburger start?
The first Whataburger opened on August 8, 1950, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Who owns Whataburger?
BDT and MSD Partners owns most of Whataburger. The founding Dobson family still owns a small stake.
How many states have Whataburger?
By 2026, Whataburger was in 17 states, from Arizona and Nevada to Florida and the Carolinas.
How many Whataburger restaurants are there?
There were about 1,211 Whataburger restaurants in 2026.
How much is a Whataburger?
A classic Whataburger costs about $5.49 and has about 590 calories.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
