Whataburger coming to at least 3 NC cities. Here’s what we know about where & when

Drew Jackson
·2 min read
1

For years there have been signals and signs, but North Carolina is still waiting on its first Whataburger.

It appears now it’s only a matter of time.

The beloved Texas burger brand is quietly planing to expand into at least three North Carolina cities.

The first flickers of Whataburger popped up in January 2021 when the brand created its corporate filings.

Since then, Whataburger has submitted plans for restaurants in Charlotte, Greensboro and, most recently, Fayetteville.

Here’s what we know.

What about Whataburger

The burger FOMO is real. Sure, we love Cook Out throughout the South, but it’s hard not to be burger-curious for brands like In n Out, Jack in the Box and Whataburger.

Now a North Carolina Whataburger is an increasing reality.

A few Whataburger facts:

  • Whataburger was founded in 1950 and today there are nearly a thousand locations, the vast majority of which are in Texas.

  • The closest Whataburger to the Triangle is nearly five hours away in Commerce, Ga, an hour northeast of Atlanta.

  • Most locations stay open 24 hours a day, serving a menu of thin-patty burgers on seedless buns, patty melts on Texas toast, chicken sandwiches and wings.

Where will the first Whataburgers be in NC?

The Carolinas look to be part of the brand’s current expansion plans.

So far there are plans for five Whataburger locations across the state. A spokesman for Whataburger declined to discuss the company’s plans for North Carolina.

Planning documents for Whataburger locations have been submitted for two restaurants in Charlotte, two in Greensboro and one in Fayetteville.

A Whataburger official who was not authorized to speak publicly about the company’s plans said only that Fayetteville will not be the first location to open in the state, which is instead expected to be in the greater Charlotte region.

Last year, Whataburger executives told Charleston, SC, newspaper The Post & Courier that Raleigh and Charlotte could see locations open in 2025, plus more in South Carolina.

These are the likely Whataburger locations we know about so far based on planning documents filed by the burger brand.

Charlotte:

  • 12809 Albemarle Road

  • 5301 South Blvd

Greensboro:

  • 2700 Koury Blvd.

  • 4409 W Wendover Ave.

Fayetteville

  • 3900 Ramsey St.

Whataburger vs. What-a-burger: t’s all in the hyphens

One day North Carolina will get its first Whataburger, but it already has a history with What-A-Burger, a totally unrelated burger franchise.

This decades-old drive-in style burger chain once numbered more than a dozen, according to a story in Our State. But today only six remain, all in and around Charlotte.

Durham chef will compete on Bravo’s latest season of ‘Top Chef’

12 NC chefs & restaurants — including 4 in Raleigh — are up for James Beard awards