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Whataburger. will open its first North Carolina restaurant on Gastonia’s Franklin Boulevard on May 29, with plans to open eight more restaurants in the Tar Heel state this year. Pro tip: Ask for the grilled onions on your hamburger.
Whataburger was founded by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950. Legend has it that the burgers were so big it would make customers say, “Whataburger.” It is now owned by the Chicago-based BDT investment firm.
The Texas chain now has more than 1,100 restaurants, 51,000 employees and North Carolina will mark its 17th state. It reported more than $4 billion in revenue last year. The chain opened several restaurants in South Carolina last year. The restaurants are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Plans call for outlets in Archdale, Charlotte, Greensboro, Hickory, High Point, Kernersville, Mooresville and Winston-Salem, plus Indian Land, South Carolina.
Over the years, Whataburger has sued several North Carolina restaurants over trademark infringement, including What-A-Burger, which has restaurants in Mount Pleasant, Norwood and Raleigh. Whataburger reached a confidentiality agreement with several restaurants over its name in 2022.
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Author: staff report
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