Whataburger History: From a 25-Cent Burger in 1950 to Today
Whataburger was founded in 1950 by Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton, who opened the first store in Corpus Christi, Texas, selling a 25-cent burger. The A-frame building came in 1961, the Flying W in 1967, and the family sold a majority stake to BDT Capital in 2019.
Whataburger timeline
These dates come from Wikipedia's Whataburger article, with today's store count from Whataburger's store directory (November 2026):
- 1950: Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton open the first Whataburger on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, in August, selling a 25-cent burger. Dobson was granted the Whataburger trademark in June 1950.
- 1951: Burton and Dobson end their partnership after a dispute over raising the price from 25 to 30 cents; burgers later go to 35 cents.
- 1952: The first store outside Corpus Christi opens in Kingsville, Texas.
- 1953: Joe Andrews, Sr. becomes the first franchise owner outside the founders, in Alice, Texas.
- 1959: The first Whataburger outside Texas opens in Pensacola, Florida.
- 1961: The first orange-and-white striped A-frame store, the 24th Whataburger, opens in Odessa, Texas.
- 1962: French fries and hot pies are added to the menu.
- 1967: The Flying W logo is commissioned. Harmon Dobson dies in a plane crash on April 11; his widow Grace takes over.
- 1971: The first drive-through store opens. The 100th store follows in 1972.
- 1982: Three Corpus Christi stores start 24/7 service.
- 1983: Breakfast On A Bun, the Whatachick'n sandwich and breakfast taquitos join the menu.
- 1987: The 400th store opens; California operations shut down.
- 1993: Tom Dobson becomes CEO; Whatameals, cookies, biscuits and chicken strips are added in the years after.
- 2001: The Texas Legislature proclaims Whataburger a Texas Treasure.
- 2009: Headquarters move from Corpus Christi to San Antonio.
- 2019: The Dobson family sells a majority stake to BDT Capital Partners of Chicago.
- 2021-2024: Expansion to Kansas City and Wichita, Middle Tennessee, Atlanta and the Carolinas.
Today Whataburger has 1,217 stores in 17 states.
The first burger
Dobson's goal was a burger that took two hands to hold and tasted so good that you would say "What a burger!". The original 25-cent Whataburger was a quarter-pound patty on a wide bun with lettuce, three slices of tomato, four dill pickles, chopped onions, ketchup and mustard. The recipe stayed largely the same, except that ketchup was later removed.
Today's #1 keeps that build on a 5-inch bun with mustard; see the #1 Whataburger and why Whataburger uses mustard.
The A-frame and the Flying W
Harmon Dobson loved flying, and he designed the orange-and-white striped A-frame building that opened in Odessa in 1961. The Flying W logo followed in 1967. The A-frame was updated in 1974 to fit drive-thrus and bigger dining rooms. The name and the building are explained on why it is called Whataburger.
From family business to private owner
Whataburger was family-owned by the Dobsons until 2019, when BDT Capital Partners bought a majority stake. The family kept a small stake, the headquarters stayed in San Antonio, and Ed Nelson became CEO in 2020.
More company facts are on Whataburger facts and history.
Frequently asked questions
When was Whataburger founded?
In 1950. The first store opened in August 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Who founded Whataburger?
Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton.
How much was the first Whataburger?
25 cents.
When did Whataburger start breakfast?
Breakfast On A Bun and breakfast taquitos were added in 1983.