Courtesy Whataburger
Swarms of students from nearby towns are crammed into booths, rehashing events from their football games and discussing plans for the weekend. The fries are hot, the burgers are made to order and the shakes are creamy.
It’s Friday night at the Whataburger in Grapevine.
This isn’t a scene specific to our area. Whataburgers all over the state have become the official clubhouse of post-Friday night football. Win or lose, each town’s restaurant sees an influx of students following a game, as they pile into booths still wearing jerseys, letterman jackets and sparkly drill team uniforms.
Flash back seventy-five years, to a Corpus Christi man with a vision.
That man was Harmon Dobson, and his dream was simple: create a burger so big it takes two hands to hold, and so tasty it makes you exclaim, “What a burger!” Fast-forward to 2025, and Whataburger has become a full-blown Southern institution, boasting more than 1,100 locations across 17 states.
“For three-quarters of a century, we’ve been more than just a burger stop – we’ve been a part of family road trips, late-night cravings and hometown traditions,” said George Gonzalez, Whataburger Brand Leader. “In Dallas, and across the Lone Star State, Whataburger has become woven into the fabric of our communities. It means the world to us to see generations of Texans come together around the table for a meal that feels like home.”
So, as the orange-and-white stripes celebrate their 75th anniversary, we take a bite out of their flavorful past, sizzling future and cult-like following. Somewhere, the Dobson’s are smiling.
75 Years: Still Home, Still Here
Despite Whataburger’s enormous popularity and ever-expanding footprint, the restaurant is still family owned and operated. Dobson’s wife, Grace, took over the business in 1967 and expanded Whataburger from a small hamburger shack in South Texas to a behemoth that’s still expanding across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Florida.
The food, of course, deserves top billing. Devotees praise not just the burgers, but the breakfast taquitos, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits and the ability to customize orders down to the last pickle. This is not an exaggeration: there are over 36,000 ways to customize a Whataburger which is good news for the chain’s 60 million customers.
Courtesy Whataburger
Disciples of the Dobson’s burgers know Whataburger isn’t just feeding people – it’s also feeding our local memories. Those sentiments became virtual law when the Seventy-seventh Texas Legislature recognized Whataburger as a “State Treasure” in 2001.
Currently, there are four Whataburger restaurants within a 20-mile radius of Southlake. Expand the search to a 30-mile radius, and that number jumps to 15 locations open 24 hours a day every day except Christmas.
Grab Your Swag
No matter where you indulge your cravings, Whataburger’s yearlong celebration includes a ton of specials on limited-edition merchandise, with certain items available in-store and online.
For the truly faithful, the standout collectible has been the 32‑ounce commemorative cups, which are now available in four vibrant, limited‑edition collections each celebrating a different slice of Whataburger history and seasonal themes.
The online Whatastore has also been releasing monthly limited-edition merch drops priced at $19.50, a nod to the brand’s founding year. Additional swag includes a stylish Wrangler x Whataburger capsule — denim jackets, graphic tees, ball caps and more, though not all priced at $19.50 — drawing rave reviews for its authentic Texas flair.
Courtesy Whataburger
And then there’s the merchandise available daily. From iconic orange-and-white striped socks and retro tees to spicy-scented candles and YETI tumblers, every Whataburger item captures the spirit of the beloved burger chain. Whether you're rocking an orange-and-white hoodie on a chilly day or sipping your morning coffee from a Fancy Ketchup mug, the merch lets fans carry their love for Whataburger into their homes and lives.
Whether you're craving some merch or a classic Whataburger, crispy Whatachick’n strips, a fresh Garden Salad, or a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit there’s something for all appetites to enjoy.
“Celebrating 75 years of Whataburger isn’t just a milestone,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a moment of deep Texas pride.”