Why Is It Called Whataburger? The Name, the Flying W and the A-Frame
Whataburger is named for the reaction its founder wanted: Harmon Dobson set out to make a burger so good that people would say "What a burger!". He trademarked the name in June 1950, designed the striped A-frame in 1961, and the Flying W logo followed in 1967.
Where the name comes from
Harmon Dobson wanted to make a better burger, one that took two hands to hold and tasted so good that when you took a bite you would say "What a burger!". That phrase became the name. Dobson was granted the Whataburger trademark in June 1950, two months before the first store opened in Corpus Christi.
The full story is on Whataburger history.
The Flying W
The Flying W logo was commissioned in 1967, the year the company reached 40 restaurants in four states. It is the letter W for Whataburger, and it has been the brand mark ever since. Harmon Dobson, a keen pilot, died in a plane crash in April of that year.
The orange-and-white A-frame
Dobson also designed the orange-and-white striped A-frame building, inspired by his love of flying. The first one, the 24th Whataburger, opened in Odessa, Texas in 1961. In 1974 the design became a "Modern A-Frame" to fit drive-thrus and larger dining rooms. The original Odessa A-frame was demolished in 2019.
The orange and white stripes are still the brand's colors today.
The name in pop culture
The name and the A-frame are famous enough to be borrowed. A Whataburger, logo and A-frame included, appeared regularly in the animated series King of the Hill. In December 2024 a pop-up replica rebranded as "Wittaburger" appeared at the wedding reception of Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Whataburger's brand ambassador.
And the biggest Whataburger of all, "Whataburger by the Bay" in Corpus Christi, has a life-size bronze statue of the man who named it, Harmon Dobson.
What-A-Burger is a different chain
Whataburger is sometimes confused with What-A-Burger, a family chain in Virginia and the Carolinas that also opened in 1950. The two were unaware of each other for about 20 years. A court ruled in 2004 that the Texas Whataburger's trademark was valid but that the Virginia chain caused no confusion, so both kept their names.
Store counts for the Texas chain are on Whataburger locations.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Whataburger?
Founder Harmon Dobson wanted a burger so good that people would say "What a burger!" after a bite.
What does the W in the Whataburger logo mean?
It is the Flying W, commissioned in 1967 and tied to Dobson's love of flying.
Why are Whataburger buildings A-frames?
Dobson designed the striped A-frame, inspired by flying; the first opened in Odessa in 1961.
When was the Whataburger name trademarked?
In June 1950, two months before the first store opened.
Who designed the Whataburger A-frame?
Founder Harmon Dobson, inspired by his love of flying.
Is the Whataburger logo a W?
Yes. The Flying W, a stylized W for Whataburger, was commissioned in 1967.
Is What-A-Burger the same as Whataburger?
No. What-A-Burger is a separate family chain in Virginia and the Carolinas.