Christmas coming early? Whataburger breaks ground in Bartlesville, plans to open Dec. 10

Andy Dossett, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
·1 min read

Christmas is coming early as the sizzle of fresh burgers and the iconic orange-and-white stripes of Whataburger are set to grace the Bartlesville community as the Texas-based fast-food chain broke ground Tuesday on its newest restaurant.

With the site being prepared, the concrete poured and the framework going up soon, Whataburger hopes to open at the beginning of December.

Bartlesville's biggest Whataburger fans argued over their ideal meals at the groundbreaking.

"Double meat, double cheese, large fry and large Dr. Pepper milkshake," said Bartlesville Development Authority's Chris Batchelder. "Oh, have you had the banana pudding milkshake — guys, I'm telling you."

Bartlesville's self-titled number one Whataburger fan Chris Batchelder, vice president of business development for the Bartlesville Development Authority, directs traffic to the ground break of the new restaurant hoping to open in early December.
Bartlesville's self-titled number one Whataburger fan Chris Batchelder, vice president of business development for the Bartlesville Development Authority, directs traffic to the ground break of the new restaurant hoping to open in early December.

"Double Whataburger, add jalapenos and grilled onions on a small toasted bun or the honey BBQ chicken tender sandwich," said Kyle Ppool, workforce and economic development coordinator for Tri County Tech. "But you have to go with a small toasted bun."

"Cheeseburger on brioche bun period — period," Maria Gus said.

The new restaurant, which will occupy the space at 1350 S.E. Washington Blvd., was previously home to Hunan's restaurant and, as Mayor Dale Copeland nostalgically reminds, "also the former Pannekoeken Huis."

Mayor Dale Copeland signs a steel beam to be used in the construction of the new Whataburger restaurant located at 1350 S.E. Washington Blvd.
Mayor Dale Copeland signs a steel beam to be used in the construction of the new Whataburger restaurant located at 1350 S.E. Washington Blvd.

The new venture comes as part of Whataburger's strategic expansion, with the company boasting 950 locations and a fan base across the United States.

In May of the previous year, the Bartlesville Development Authority and Bartlesville City Council approved a $119,000 incentive package, showcasing a spirited effort to attract the esteemed fast-food chain to the locale.

With the site being prepared, the concrete poured, and the framework going up soon, Whataburger hopes to open at the beginning of December.
With the site being prepared, the concrete poured, and the framework going up soon, Whataburger hopes to open at the beginning of December.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville Whataburger breaks ground, but when can residents get burgers?