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Whataburger Sold To Chicago Investment Firm, No Longer Family Owned
June 15, 2019
Whataburger is no longer family owned. As of Friday, a majority interest has been sold to Chicago-based investment banking company BDT Capital Partners.
The burger chain will remain headquartered in Texas, and the group will “begin exploring expansion plans”. There are currently more than 700 Whataburger stores in 10 states.
“Whataburger has grown significantly over the years. And, in order to keep satisfying our customers, we’ve been exploring different options to expand the brand and introduce it to new audiences. We’ve gone through this process purposefully and diligently because we wanted to find a partner who honors our values, culture and 69-year legacy of family tradition,” said Whataburger President/CEO Preston Atkinson.
“We’re excited about the partnership with BDT because they respect and admire the brand we’ve built,” Atkinson continued. “They want to preserve it while they help us continue growing a sustainable, competitive business over a long period of time. They don’t plan to change our recipe for success.”
“More than anything, we’re beyond grateful for our 43,000 Whataburger Family Members who work in our restaurants 24/7,” said current board chair Tom Dobson. “And to our Whataburger fans: You’re part of our family. And as we grow, we know our Whataburger team will continue to make you proud.”
Pictured: The Whataburger restaurant on North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
24 Responses to “Whataburger Sold To Chicago Investment Firm, No Longer Family Owned”
The family that owned Whataburger should have considered the Texans that made the company it’s called loyalty Hope it works out.
Put a Whataburger in Omaha/Bellevue NE. A lot of southerners at Offutt AFB, wanting their favorite food!
Put all the flags at each Whataburger in Texas at Half mast, because Whataburger just died.
Price increase coming. New owners want to get their money back on the purchase.
I have not been to a Whataburger so I cannot comment on the food or service. However, my beloved Portillo’s Hot Dog restaurant (Chicago and parts beyond) was sold to an investment firm located in Boston. The restaurants stayed the same and they expanded to other cities. Still waiting on one for Chattanooga. Whataburger & Portillo’s together.
10 Years from now people will be saying Whataburger used to be so good, and the younger generation will not know what Your talking about. Just like we all remember how good Taco Bell and KFC used to be, But the kids of today think it’s good. Good bye Whataburger…
I can already see the in God we Trust in the window going away. That is what I really Love about the place. Watch it go away.
Itll end up like KFC did after the colonel was gone from it. KFC is terrible. But I will hold out hope for whataburger
I am glad to wait in line for ten minutes that just means its fresh not under a light I jus dont leave for work at the last minute…someone who dont have ten minutes to spare doesn’t care about there job anyways…I bet if they had a blow out it would be whataburger fault too huh?let me come an eat with yall see what u can make in ten minutes an be good..
It has already gone down hill. I have waited in the drive-in for 10 minutes for a order twice. The last time I went in because I was going to be late for work. This was about 5:30 am. When I went in they almost drop their jaw. I had already paid for my order both times and I was not going to drive off with out getting my food. I’m to say I will and have not been back .
Hopefully they won’t turn it into Culver’s. Culver’s microwaves everything.
uhoh, bring on the soy!
Whataburger has expanded before, located in Memphis TN once, for a short time, then gone forever? Unique, hope they spend a lot of thought and planning if future expansion goes forward. We could use a location here in the U.P. of Michigan…Clyde’s could locate in Texas in exchange!
Its no longer about satisfying the customer.
Its now about how to satisfy the pockets of
the investors.
Glad I ate lunch there yesterday for the last time.
Prices will go up and quality will go down.
Good bye Whataburger.
Being sold to a investment banking firm means the Whataburger we have known and loved now has died. It will become all about profits and not about quality and culture. I feel for those who have invested the majority of their careers at Whataburger, they may want to start applying with Chick-fila.
Watch the service start to go downhill. It’ll end up like every other fast food chain where they choose the worst employees and you get service with an attitude.
Start in Indianapolis!!!! Midwesterners vacation in whataburger areas and love it!!! We need one in Indy!!!
Need to come to Lexington,SC
Need to come to Lexington, SC
We would Love for you to Build a Whataburger in Stapleton, Loxley, Malbis, Bayminette or Spanishfort Alabama.
Well lets start cutting corners and cash in buy going public on the stock exchange. Thats what this all means folks.
Hmmm! I hope they don’t ruin a good thing…
I have a feeling that Whataburger will eventually lose it’s uniqueness and become just as ho-hum as the other chains. It will be a shame if that happens.