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Whataburger, a fast-food chain whose original stores featured orange A-frame buildings, plans to open at least 80 stores in Georgia and Alabama over the next five years.
Whataburger entered Georgia in November with a store near Kennesaw State University and has since opened an additional four in the Atlanta area. It plans to open at least 50 in Georgia over the next five years. The burger chain operates 29 stores in Alabama and wants to open another 30 in that state by 2027.
Fast-food chains including In-N-Out Burger and Raising Cane’s and coffeeshops such as Dutch Bros are aggressively plotting expansions nationwide. Meanwhile, Chick-Fil-A and other established quick-service restaurants are demolishing outdated properties and constructing new stores, many of which will have additional drive-thru lanes.
Whataburger is partnering with franchisee Made to Order Holdings on its Atlanta expansion. Whataburger did not respond to a request for comment on whether it’s seeking additional franchise partners.
Whataburger’s newest Georgia store opened in April in Cumming. Other Georgia cities on its itinerary include Covington, Dawsonville, Monroe, Newnan, Smyrna, Snellville and a second store in Kennesaw.
In Alabama, Whataburger plans to open stores this year in Albertville, Cullman, Hazel Green, Huntsville, Madison and Scottsboro.
The earliest Whataburger stores are in A-frame buildings featuring a distinctive orange-and-white striped design. The company has since developed a new prototype store without the A-frame. Whataburger locations are open 24 hours a day, every day except for Christmas.
Whataburger, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950, has its headquarters in San Antonio. It operates more than 900 locations in 14 states, primarily in the Southwest and Southeast.