Whataburger to open multiple restaurants across North Carolina
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Whataburger is expanding to North Carolina with multiple restaurants opening in 2025.
Why it matters: For years, rumors have swirled about the fan-favorite Texas chain branching into the Charlotte market. The company — known for its fat burgers, spicy ketchup and limited edition menu items — has now confirmed exact locations and rough timelines.
The locations are:
- Gastonia (3415 E Franklin Blvd.) — May 29, 2025
- Charlotte (12935 Albemarle Road) — Early summer
- Hickory (2060 US Hwy 70 S.E.) — June 2025
- Indian Land (8574 Charlotte Hwy.) — Mid-summer
- Winston-Salem (291 Harvey St.) — Late summer
- Greensboro (1408 Four Seasons Station Blvd.) — Late summer
- High Point (2713 N Main St.) — Early fall
- Archdale (10118 N Main St.) — Fall
- Kernersville (1152 Solomon Drive) — 2025
- Mooresville (604 River Highway) — 2025
Zoom in: All stores are in various stages of construction. They'll be modern restaurants with double drive-thrus and digital conveniences, such as curbside ordering.
- Whataburgers stay open 24/7, serving breakfast from 11pm to 11am.
- The company has been preparing for its introduction into North Carolina by meeting with elected officials and community leaders this week.
- In recent years, it established a meat plant in Atlanta to set up the supply chain for fresh beef.
- In October of lat year, Whataburger was a sponsor for Concert for the Carolinas, the Luke Combs benefit country concert that raised $24.5 million for Helene recovery.
- Whataburger confirmed it was coming to North Carolina last year. Soon after, it filed a trademark lawsuit against several North Carolina restaurants with nearly identical names, WBTV reported.
The big picture: Whataburger is building on its successful splash into the Southeast, including in South Carolina, in 2024. When that location opened in Boiling Springs, customers began lining up the night before and lines continued for the next two days.
- Finding prime and convenient real estate has driven decisions for where the first stores will open in North Carolina.
- "We just started to chart a development path that comes up I-85 through South Carolina and into North Carolina," CEO Debbie Stroud tells Axios. "It's an attractive part of the country. We've got flourishing growth and cities."
- She also says the state's family atmosphere was a draw for the restaurant, which views itself as a gathering place and part of the community.
- "We get a lot of requests from around the country," Stroud says. "We're selective about the pace and where do we really want to go."
What's next: Whataburger has plans to open in Raleigh eventually.
Go deeper: The most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte
Editor's note: This story was originally published in January 2025 and updated May 15, 2025 with new anticipated opening timelines.