On June 23, 1950, Harmon Dobson was granted the 'Whataburger' trademark by the Texas Secretary of State office. This trademark would become synonymous with the unique and delicious burgers offered by the chain.

On August 8, 1950, Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger stand, offering a unique five-inch bun burger that became an instant success.

In 1951, the partnership between Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton ended due to a disagreement over the pricing of the hamburger. Burton retained the franchise rights to Whataburgers in the San Antonio area, while Dobson took control of the remaining business.

Joe Adams became the first franchise owner of Whataburger with Store #5 in Alice, Texas. The store was a success, with people lining up around the window out to the street.

Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchisee of Whataburger and opened Whataburger #5 in Alice, Texas. This event signified the expansion of the brand through franchising.

On March 11, 1955, Harmon Dobson, the founder of Whataburger, married Grace Dobson. This personal event in their lives added a touch of family to the Whataburger legacy.

In 1959, Harmon Dobson expanded Whataburger outside of Texas by opening Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. This marked the brand's first venture beyond its home state.

By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants and continued to expand, introducing new menu items like French fries and hot pies.

In 1961, the first A-frame Whataburger restaurant was built in Odessa, Texas. This unique building design became a trademark of Whataburger for many years until it was demolished in 2019.

In 1962, Whataburger expanded its menu by introducing fried pies and french fries. This menu diversification aimed to cater to a wider range of customer preferences.

By 1963, Whataburger had expanded its presence to 26 restaurants across Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Arizona. This marked a significant growth phase for the brand.

Tragically, on April 11, 1967, Harmon Dobson, the founder of Whataburger, lost his life in a plane crash. His wife Grace Dobson took over the reins of the business, showing her dedication to the brand.

In 1969, Grace Dobson, the wife of Harmon Dobson, assumed the role of chairman of the board at Whataburger. Her leadership marked a new chapter in the company's history.

During the 1970s, Whataburger experienced significant growth under the leadership of Grace Dobson. The number of restaurants doubled to over 200, the first drive-thru was introduced, and new menu items like the Whataburger Jr., jalapeños, and onion rings were added. Additionally, a new building design was unveiled, maintaining the original A-frame style. Country music icon Mel Tillis also began appearing in TV commercials for the company during this time.

Whataburger installed its first drive-thru in 1971, offering customers a convenient way to order their meals.

In 1972, Whataburger achieved a significant milestone by opening its 100th restaurant. This marked a period of rapid expansion and popularity for the brand.

Following a design contest in 1973, Whataburger chose the 'Flying W' logo created by Corpus Christi artist Will Clay. This logo became an iconic symbol of the brand.

In 1974, Whataburger introduced the 'Modern A-Frame' restaurant architecture, featuring larger dining rooms and improved drive-thru service. This architectural update aimed to enhance customer experience.

By 1977, Whataburger had expanded to its 200th location.

Whataburger started serving breakfast in all locations and introduced the slogan 'We build a bigger, better burger' coined by franchise owner Joe Andrews, Sr.

At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion.

The Nickel Mug promotion, which included the iconic Nickel Mug, was launched as a one-year promotion but became a long-lasting classic piece of Americana, running for 14 years.

In 1983, Whataburger diversified its menu by adding Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick’n, and Taquitos as new food options.

In 1987, Whataburger marked the opening of its 400th store and also made the decision to shut down operations in California.

By the end of 1989, Whataburger had expanded its operations to serve hot and fresh food at 440 different locations, showcasing remarkable growth in a short period.

Tom Dobson, son of Harmon Dobson, was elected as the president and chief executive officer of Whataburger in 1993.

The year 1994 marked a significant milestone for Whataburger as it achieved its first $1 million sales day, showcasing the chain's growing popularity and success.

Whataburger celebrated the opening of its 500th location in 1995.

By 1998, Whataburger achieved a significant milestone with its system-wide sales reaching $500,000, reflecting the chain's financial growth and success.

Whataburger by the Bay opened in Corpus Christi on May 6, 1999, to celebrate the business' 50th anniversary. The location featured a life-size bronze statue of founder Harmon Dobson.

Whataburger was mentioned in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times newspaper on August 6, 2000.

Whataburger celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 restaurants and millions of fans across the country.

In 2001, Whataburger was officially designated as a Texas Treasure by the State Chair of the Texas Public Health Committee. This recognition highlighted the cultural significance of the brand.

In 2004, a federal trademark infringement lawsuit was settled between What-A-Burger of Virginia, Inc. and What-A-Burger of Newport News, Inc. against the Texas-based chain Whataburger due to the similarity in names.

In 2005, Whataburger mourned the loss of Grace 'Lady Grace' Dobson.

In 2007, the San Antonio-based chain Whataburger reached a milestone by achieving $1 billion in sales for the first time. Despite its large size, the chain's locations were limited to certain states in the southern U.S.

Whataburger was mentioned in the San Antonio Express-News newspaper on November 22, 2008.

Whataburger moved its Home Office from Corpus Christi to San Antonio in 2009.

In October 2011, Whataburger shifted its television ads to a 'documentary-style' format, showcasing employees and customers sharing their experiences, a departure from previous voiceover ads.

Whataburger revamped its menu in 2012, organizing it into categories like Burgers, Chicken, and Breakfast, and introduced the Under 550 Calories menu.

In 2013, HEB partnered with Whataburger to be the exclusive retailer for bottles of 'Fancy Ketchup' and 'Spicy Ketchup', after noticing customers hoarding the sauces. This partnership expanded to include other Whataburger products like sausage, bacon, and pancake mix.

Since 2014, Whataburger has been selling its sauces at H-E-B, leading to the announcement of offering 1-pound packages of bacon at H-E-B and Central Market stores.

In July 2017, Whataburger introduced its digital newsroom.

On May 16, 2019, Whataburger confirmed its engagement with Morgan Stanley for a potential sale of the company, indicating a significant strategic decision.

On June 14, 2019, the Dobson family sold the majority stake of Whataburger to BDT Capital, outlining plans for long-term expansion and leadership changes within the company.

In August 2020, Ed Nelson was promoted to the position of CEO at Whataburger, signifying a key leadership transition within the company.

In the eighth decade of Whataburger, the chain expanded into new markets including Kansas City, Nashville, Colorado Springs, and Las Vegas, reaching over 1,000 restaurants in 15 states.

On January 5, 2022, the first of 8 Whataburger locations in Middle Tennessee opened in Hermitage, marking the end of a decades-long absence in the Nashville area.

The history of Whataburger, a popular American fast food chain, began on March 28, 2023.