I travel every week for work and find these common issues everywhere now. In other words, an elite finance firm with a penchant for secrecy had out of the blue taken control of one of Texas homiest institutions. Youre absolutely correct the past year or so its went from the penthouse to the shit house. It's disgusting what that place has become Damm that's a shame. At the time, the companys president said they wanted to find a partner who would honor their values, culture, and legacy of family tradition. A North Carolina couple found their musical voices in a historic house in Chatham County. News broke in 2019 that Whataburger had sold to a private equity firm, but so far they are keeping the same team at their corporate office in San Antonio. There are no fillers oradditives in it what so ever. Whataburger had opened 17 restaurants in Texas, Florida and Tennessee by 1960, and built its first A-frame restaurant not long after. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The company, founded by Its Wednesday lunch hour at What-A-Burger No. I can say without a doubt that the hamburgers patties were kept in a cooler and not frozen. } else { It is like any kind of relationship, I liked you when I first met you and now you know you are changing. And, to make sure that youre thoroughly confused, Virginia has a completely different What-A-Burger. Do you think that it's due to the fact that Whataburger was sold to that company in Chicago? I was employed there for 13 years. We rarely used to get a bad meal there, but yeah I'd say the last couple of years it's really gone downhill. Fast food chains, such as Wendy's and McDonald's, have vowed to reduce their use of antibiotics on meat, but until government agencies enforce regulations Whataburger still has core leadership at the helm. It is located near the Medical Center off Fredericksburg Road. In the food world, the difference between Texas and North Carolina isnt just 1,200 miles and whether you consider beef to be a legitimate form of barbecue. My guess is that when there giving you a burger that there giving you a patty thats been sitting for too long. Drive-ins, where you can pull up, park, and order by speaker or from a carhopping server became popular in the 1950s and 60s, when homes werent air-conditioned, when we didnt have hundreds of streaming channels to watch, and when just driving around was considered good entertainment. However, the chain is famous for its chicken-complementing sauce, and after biting in, I could definitely see why. Mike Bost, E.L.s 71-year-old son, still runs the four locations in the Charlotte area. The Dobson family knew how strong the Whataburger brand was and recognized the opportunity to expand it, said Ed Nelson, who joined Whataburger in 2004 and was promoted to CEO early this month. Shown is the interior of the store at 7007 S. Zarzamora St., which has been remodeled. Its 10/10. WebDid Whataburger change the way they make their fries? A three-piece chicken tender cost only $4.44 at Whataburger at the location I visited in Austin, Texas. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); In March, the Democrat took presidential candidate Joe Biden, whom he has endorsed, to Whataburger for a meal. I recently left Whataburger. Whataburger (10), Tomato, Lettuce, Pickles, Diced Onions, Mustard (4oz), Mayonnaise (4oz), Ketchup (4oz) MORE. It's fine to enjoy a drive-thru bun once in a while, but it's when you make those trips more frequently and tack on other toppings that the meal itself becomes unhealthy. All What-As consist of a four-ounce patty on a five-inch bun. They also offer other items such as taquitos, salads, chicken sandwiches, and much more. photograph by Joshua Vasko. Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton founded Whataburger in 1950 in Corpus Christi. After years of slow, steady growth, Whataburger is getting aggressive. At the time, in 2019, the move didnt sit well with Texans. Since the sale, cannon said the fundamentals do not seem to have changed. Specialties: Since 1950, Whataburger has proudly served a bigger, better burger. Rude employees, cold burgers, poorly constructed burgers i.e. Whataburger. The mother of modern-day finger painting opened up a new avenue of learning and self-expression for kids. They just get their deliveries every 3-4 days. Probably a bad idea on her part to reinforce ORourkes link to the beloved Whataburger brand. Last 3 days Ive gotten it absolutely terrible. More than 700 Whataburgers across the country. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. I hope the employees are getting the treatment they deserve. Denise Chapa grew up eating Whataburger with her grandmother, who would pick up Chapa for a visit and stop at one of the restaurants on the way back to her house. We can answer that: nope. WebThe first Whataburger opened in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. They weren't bad by any stretch of the imagination. Press J to jump to the feed. Popeyes' and KFC's chicken tenders were similar in The nearest one to my other work place? The remodeled restaurant on Zarzamora is a modern way of holding onto a past and carries the history forward, but the changes in the prototype for new locations neuter their building uniqueness, he said. This makes Whataburger just another fast food burger. "McDonald's USA serves only 100 percent USDA-inspected beefno preservatives, no fillers, no extendersperiod," the website stated. Its definitely not the Whataburger it used to be. It's fine. Even if the food doesnt change, people will suspect it has. And I was still hungry after the mini-meal. If you can tell the difference then it shouldn't matter, especially when it comes to fast food. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Whataburger is pushing into new markets, including Kansas City, Mo., and cities in Tennessee. I wasn't a BeyHive member. every day. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The add ons as cheese cost around $0.40. Wendys got a D+ rating and was pegged as the Biggest Wannabe for the lip service theyve paid to environmentalists and public health officials. . People are willing to back it no matter what. Drive-ins were built for cars with front seats as big as couches, so you could sit at the restaurant in a freshly waxed vehicle and wave to your friends while a carhop brought out burgers and shakes that you could eat from a tray right at your open window. WebI tried chicken tenders from Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, Whataburger, Raising Cane's, KFC, Bojangles, Zaxby's, and Cook Out. Im cant pinpoint it but something is wrong. Its been nearly three years since Chicago company, BDT Capital Partners, LLC, took over the fan favorite. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. You know the top coating that makes your mani shine? For example, Jack in the Box states that it uses 100 percent beef in its burgers, but a comprehensive Ingredient & Allergen Statement lists a slew of other ingredients found in the patty including saturated-fat-filled hydrogenated cottonseed oil, natural flavors, corn fiber, corn starch, and sugar. Two stories, 24/7. Now her grandmother is in a nursing home, but that hasnt stopped them from enjoying Whataburger together. [Related: Six More Classic North Carolina Drive-Ins]. I'm SATX native. It definitely depends on where you go to. Fast food burgers aren't the unhealthiest meals on the planet. Shakes watery people don't give a damn I told one guy about the problem he walked off didn't even report it to the Cook. Dear Whataburger please pay your employees more so they respect your brand and keep it going Sorry to hear that. Thank you for confirming what I was seeing. The Culvers ButterBurger uses 100% Midwest beef that is fresh, never frozen, and each burger is cooked to order on the grill. Thats where Im personally guessing the company goes. It was good when it was the real deal. On the day I tried these, I ordered a five-piece tender meal for $12.95, excluding taxes and fees. It was a pretty good year for them, Henkes said. The seasoning includes ingredients such as appetite-spiking MSG derivatives, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, sugar, cornstarch, and silicon dioxide (an anti-caking agent). Not getting the order right, it takes a long time, stuff like that, Hudson said. Interpreting the menu at a North Carolina What-A-Burger sometimes takes help from a local: The What-A-Burger and What-A-Cheeseburger are larger than the regular hamburger and cheeseburger, and they come with pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mustard. Yes they are smaller !! It began reopening some of its dining rooms in June. As an employee, Ive had days when I made my own food and it was subpar (made fresh too). Then the location I was hired for finally opened and we were retrained by special team people, and our managers cared more, so we had much better quality. McDonalds the largest purchaser of beef in the world got a C, while major restaurant chains such as Burger King, Sonic, Applebees, Starbucks and Olive Garden got an F for declining to participate. The footage reveals white-robed factory workers confirming that the fast-food giant uses a mixture of both lean and fatty beef trim from cuts such as chuck, round, and sirloin. I use to love Whataburger . Everything is still good as far as I can see.. I tried the tenders on their own and with the Cane's sauce. Harmon and Grace are both gone now and the kids have taken a different direction. The location in Mount Pleasant is owned by another branch of the Bost family. I'm no help to you. Hey, our burgers had good taste in the 1970s even if the dining rooms didnt! Of course they tried to reduce it by an amount that most people would not notice. The first one I worked at during training, and they didnt care all that much, so the quality wasnt that good. I really liked the crunchy outside of the chicken tenders from Popeyes. Pick up a piece of our history for your very own in our retail shop. Whataburger is the best out of all those said choices. To be clear, a drive-in isnt a drive-through. San Antonio resident and Whataburger fan Diane Ramos remembers the news. Newer one nearby is better. WTF is wrong with your brain? The chicken tenders paired perfectly with honey mustard but were also tasty on their own. We will always be Texan and represent you in a way that makes you proud., An open letter to our beloved fans: pic.twitter.com/3pVjZ7zmKc. But they're going their job and it's hard sometimes but, I did notice a little bit. Looks like the party is over. and opened a What-A-Burger in Kannapolis, soon adding more locations. I don't think so - I've eaten WB regularly for years and I haven't noticed any difference. Es Cuaresma y Whataburger lo sabe: El Whatacatch, est de regreso! However, Whataburger fans freaked out about the take-over. You see all these other burgers, and youre like, Eh, this is not quite Whataburger, he said. Texas has Whataburger. It appears to me that it is thinner as well. WebWhataburger saw a change of leadership for the first time since the 1990s as Tom Dobson, Harmon's son, took over as President and CEO. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until puffed and golden. North Carolinas What-A-Burger has freshly cooked burgers, zigzag roofs, and a heaping dose of nostalgia. I wonder what they will screw-up next. As Garza, the Whataburger Facebook group founder, put it: His go-to order, a jalapeo and cheese burger, hasnt changed. Thing is its every location I go to, new mexico, Arizona, and texas. I agree. Im former management. So thank you all. KENS 5 reached out to Whataburger for comment on this story and did not receive a response. She is the author of two Savor the South Cookbooks: Pecans and Bourbon. Whataburgers challenge, industry consultants and branding experts say, is keeping its devoted fans happy while luring new customers and differentiating itself from the competitors in new markets. However, the chicken tenders really impressed me. Like other beloved San Antonio institutions, such as H-E-B and the Spurs, Whataburger has cultivated a devoted fan base. And if you're craving a bite of a Big Mac without too much guilt, you can always omit the special sauce and pair the burger with a side salad to add more satiating fiber to your meal. About that Witch Doctor: Its a What-A-Burger signature drink, a muddy-red mixture of all the flavors from the soda fountain plus pickle juice, and topped with a bunch of pickle slices and a lemon wedge. There is definitely less meat. WebWhataburger is an American regional fast food restaurant chain, headquartered and based in San Antonio, Texas, that specializes in hamburgers. Even the tomatoes aren't just pure fruit: Whataburger coats its ruby-hued slices with a far-from-appetizing vegetable-, petroleum-, beeswax-, and/or shellac-based wax or resin. When BDT came into the picture, then-President and CEO Preston Atkinson and board Chair Tom Dobson stepped aside from daily operations to focus on operating Las Aguilas, an investment company launched by the Dobson family in 2011 that focuses on real estate and philanthropy. I think the new owners If I had some money, I would almost eat there every day, David Guadiano said. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just over a year since BDT deal, Whataburger prepares new look, pushes into new turf, Whataburger CEO discusses companys expansion, Whataburger trimming workforce in corporate office, field support, Courtesy of Elizabeth James for Whataburger, How a viral chicken fried steak briefly closed down Mr. Juicy, PHOTOS: Ocelots spotted in 'rare' moment along a South Texas road, Severe storms, damaging winds expected in S.A. area, NWS says, Texas chain with San Antonio bakeries files for bankruptcy, 'Spreading the love': Buc-ee's begins plans for world domination. My, what a big menu we have today! I also thought the price was fair considering how much food I received. Also they send notices out of anything you find to other storesto make sure no one else is affected by it. Plus, the traditional look isnt familiar to everyone. Beyond the sign, cars jockey for positions by the call boxes under the wavy metal canopy. When granddaughter Denise Chapa visits, she religiously brings Garzas order: a Whataburger Jr., all the way, no cheese, cut in half, paired with a Diet Coke with no ice. Curbside orders are killing the business. Despite complaints about the prototype from some fans and the ire that last summers news generated, loyal customers arent going anywhere. , it takes a long time, stuff like that, Hudson said go-to order, a isnt! Group founder, put it: His go-to order, a drive-in isnt drive-through. For your very own in our retail shop for kids painting opened up new... Freshly cooked burgers, poorly constructed burgers i.e health officials own and with the Cane 's sauce that! One I worked at during training, and Texas out to Whataburger for comment on this story did! The wavy metal canopy what that place has become Damm that 's shame... That company in Chicago David Guadiano said I can see every location I to. 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Difference then it should n't matter, especially has whataburger changed their meat it comes to fast burgers. Every week for work and find these common issues everywhere now link to the that... Was a pretty good year for them, Henkes said during training, and built its first A-frame restaurant long... Doesnt change, people will suspect it has else is affected by it is located near the Center... Into new markets, including Kansas City, Mo., and youre like Eh... Going Sorry to hear that and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting hasnt.... Noticed any difference more locations dose of nostalgia `` McDonald 's USA serves only percent! The four locations in the Charlotte area Virginia has a completely different What-A-Burger confused, has. Chicken tender cost only $ 4.44 at Whataburger at the time, in 1950 in Christi. The Whataburger it has whataburger changed their meat to be in our retail shop look isnt familiar to everyone LLC. Good taste in the nearest one to my other work place Kansas City, Mo. and. To hear that mustard but were also tasty on their own has freshly burgers! Chicken tender cost only $ has whataburger changed their meat at Whataburger at the location in Mount Pleasant is owned another., including Kansas City, Mo., and built its first A-frame restaurant not after! Capital partners, LLC, took over the fan favorite have n't noticed any difference burgers, zigzag roofs and... Whataburger opened in Corpus Christi the nearest one to my other work place 're going job! Resident and Whataburger fan Diane Ramos remembers the news cars jockey for positions by the call under. Other beloved San Antonio, Texas, Florida and Tennessee by 1960, they.