It took me a very long time to strive Whataburger, however as soon as I did, I by no means appeared again. Now, I plan all my highway meals journeys round a cease at one of many practically 40 Whataburger areas in Florida. And the Lone Star State legend is about to develop even greater right here, with new Tampa Bay areas set to open in 2026.
Whataburger in Florida plus Historical past
Whataburger is Returning to Tampa Bay
A Texas-based burger staple is formally making a comeback to Tampa Bay.
Whataburger introduced a number of new eating places are set to debut in Lutz (25340 Sierra Heart Blvd), Brandon (1426 W Brandon Blvd), and Largo (10150 Ulmerton Street).
Whereas a precise opening timeline hasn’t been shared, a spokesperson confirmed the brand new Tampa Bay Whataburger hubs will start opening in early 2026.
“Whataburger is thrilled to return to the Tampa space, with areas in Largo, Brandon, and others throughout the area tentatively set to open within the second half of 2026. As we proceed increasing in Florida, we’re bringing not solely our legendary high quality and daring flavors, but additionally new profession alternatives for the local people,” stated a Whataburger spokesperson.
There’s no phrase but on whether or not these Tampa Bay eating places will hold the chain’s 24/7 service, however Florida followers are already lining up in spirit, myself included.
My Go-To Whataburger Order
The double patty with cheese is a powerhouse burger. Usually, when one thing’s overvalued, I’m ready for disappointment, however this one delivered.
My greatest remorse after each go to? Not grabbing an additional burger for the highway. A minimum of there’s all the time Fancy Ketchup, adequate that, in determined moments, I’d think about dipping my fingers straight into it.
Whataburger’s Well-known Fancy Ketchup
Whataburger’s Fancy Ketchup as soon as had its personal Fb fan web page with over 16,000 followers. Initially out there solely in these little tubs at eating places, it grew to become such a cult hit that it will definitely hit grocery store cabinets in 2013 alongside Spicy Ketchup, Honey BBQ, Creamy Pepper, and even Whataburger Pancake Combine.
Fries dipped in Spicy Ketchup? That’s the actual transfer.
Breakfast, Burgers, and Fried Pies
My first Whataburger expertise was in Tallahassee, Florida, a jalapeño cheddar biscuit sandwich with hash browns. Hooked immediately.
From there, it’s been a love affair with the Jalapeño Double Cheeseburger (with onions and yellow mustard) and the basic fried apple pie for dessert.
Whataburger’s Historical past
Harmon Dobson and Paul Barton based Whataburger. On August 8, 1950, they opened their first restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson’s imaginative and prescient was to create a burger so large it could take two arms to carry, and so scrumptious it could make you exclaim, “What a burger!”
The “Whataburger” trademark was formally registered on June 23, 1950. Dobson’s quarter-pound burger with a five-inch bun was a revolutionary idea. On the primary day of enterprise, they bought 25-cent burgers, chips, and drinks, bringing in a complete of fifty {dollars}.
A disagreement over elevating the burger’s value led Dobson to take full management of the corporate in 1951. He posted an enthralling signal explaining the worth hike, and clients have been so loyal they didn’t thoughts paying the brand new 30-cent value.
The primary Whataburger franchise was bought to Joe Andrews in 1953, and the corporate continued to develop. In 1959, the primary location exterior of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.
The Iconic A-Body Buildings
Whataburger grew to become well-known for its iconic orange and white striped A-frame buildings. Dobson, a pilot, designed them to be simply noticed from the sky. The primary A-frame opened in 1961 in Odessa, Texas. Whereas many have been changed, some previous buildings nonetheless exist, repurposed by different companies like John’s Drive-in in Fort Meade, Florida.
Whataburger At present
After Harmon Dobson’s tragic loss of life in a airplane crash in 1967, his spouse, Grace, took over the corporate. Their son, Tom Dobson, later grew to become president, and below his management, the corporate revitalized its concentrate on its core product: the Whataburger.
In 2001, Whataburger was formally acknowledged as a “Texas Treasure” by the Texas Legislature. At present, the corporate is owned by a Chicago funding agency, with the Dobson household retaining a minority curiosity. There are 1,138 eating places throughout 16 states, together with Alabama, Arizona, Florida, and, in fact, Texas.
Florida Whataburger Areas
Florida stays one of many strongest markets exterior Texas, with virtually 40 energetic areas. You’ll discover them throughout the:
- Panhandle (Pensacola, Panama Metropolis, Tallahassee)
- Jacksonville & Northeast Florida
- Central Florida (Lakeland, Orlando, and so on.)
- And shortly, a main growth into Tampa Bay in 2026
CLICK TO SEE WHATABURGER FLORIDA LOCATIONS
| Whataburger Florida Areas | |
|---|---|
| 702 N Tyndall Parkway Callaway, Florida (850) 250-1073 |
2300 S Freeway 29 Cantonment, Florida (850) 968-2470 |
| 8340 N Century Boulevard Century, Florida (850) 256-4020 |
3850 S Ferdon Boulevard Crestview, Florida (850) 689-2800 |
| 2434 US Freeway 331 S Defuniak Springs, Florida (850) 892-6107 |
101 Harbor Boulevard Destin, Florida (850) 650-7708 |
| 190 Eglin Pkwy NE Fort Walton Seaside, Florida (850) 244-1951 |
23 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW Fort Walton Seaside, Florida (850) 244-9167 |
| 399 Mary Esther Minimize Off NW Fort Walton Seaside, Florida (850) 864-1970 |
1135 Gulf Breeze Freeway Gulf Breeze, Florida (850) 934-6180 |
| 10600 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, Florida (904) 337-6340 |
11559 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville, Florida (904) 425-9755 |
| 7165 Philips Freeway Jacksonville, Florida (904) 281-7900 |
7755 Normandy Boulevard Jacksonville, Florida (904) 693-0181 |
| 8239 Outdated Middleburg Street S Jacksonville, Florida (904) 371-3347 |
8325 Southside Blvd Jacksonville, Florida (904) 900-5330 |
| 8840 Seaside Boulevard Jacksonville, Florida (904) 642-7947 |
2401 S Freeway 77 Lynn Haven, Florida (850) 265-2099 |
| 1778 Blanding Boulevard Middleburg, Florida (904) 406-7418 |
4983 Freeway 90 Milton, Florida (850) 995-2580 |
| 5346 Stewart Road Milton, Florida (850) 626-4350 |
6920 Navarre Parkway Navarre, Florida (850) 515-1185 |
| 1201 Atlantic Boulevard Neptune Seaside, Florida (904) 270-2840 |
4450 E Freeway 20 Niceville, Florida (850) 897-0271 |
| 289 Blanding Boulevard Orange Park, Florida (904) 215-0999 |
5648 Woodbine Street Tempo, Florida (850) 994-1033 |
| 11749 Panama Metropolis Seaside Parkway Panama Metropolis Seaside, Florida (850) 230-2508 |
1313 N New Warrington Street Pensacola, Florida (850) 453-3141 |
| 1790 W Fairfield Drive Pensacola, Florida (850) 444-9161 |
214 E 9 Mile Street Pensacola, Florida (850) 484-2776 |
| 417 E Gregory Road Pensacola, Florida (850) 438-4636 |
5070 N ninth Avenue Pensacola, Florida (850) 478-0563 |
| 5480 Pensacola Boulevard Pensacola, Florida (850) 477-4298 |
6129 Cell Freeway Pensacola, Florida (850) 944-7948 |
| 815 E Burgess Street Pensacola, Florida (850) 480-5265 |
10725 Emerald Coast Parkway Sandestin, Florida (850) 650-6607 |
| 2850 County Street 210 W St Johns, Florida (904) 342-3012 |
105 CBL Drive St. Augustine, Florida (904) 342-6028 |
| 179 Village Commons Drive St. Augustine, Florida (904) 429-1358 |
1101 Thomasville Rd Tallahassee, Florida (850) 681-9202 |
| 1701 W Tennessee St Tallahassee, Florida (850) 222-4484 |
2511 Apalachee Pkwy Tallahassee, Florida (850) 942-7886 |
| 2586 N Monroe St Tallahassee, Florida (850) 386-6191 |
815 Lake Bradford Rd Tallahassee, Florida (850) 575-8602 |
| 463773 State Rd 200 Yulee, Florida (904) 548-9715 |
Burger King’s Whopper Was Impressed by Whataburger
Enjoyable truth: the Burger King Whopper traces again to Whataburger. After consuming at a Whataburger in Jacksonville, Burger King’s founders have been so impressed they returned to Miami and created their very own bigger burger—the Whopper.