Whataburger just moved closer to opening its first Charlotte restaurant. What we know
It’s been slow progress getting all the necessary approvals to open Charlotte’s first Whataburger restaurant. But that work recently took another step forward for the popular Texas-based burger chain.
A building permit was issued earlier this month for a Whataburger restaurant at Clear Creek Crossing development at 12809 Albemarle Road. Last March, city zoning officials approved the Texas-based burger chain’s Land Development Construction Plan at the same spot.
A Publix grocery store is set to anchor the Clear Creek Crossings development, which is expected to open in March. The site plans for the grocery store near Mint Hill also show the Whatabuger, as well as a Great Clips location, a Heartland Dental office, Venice Nails and an unnamed bank.
A message Monday seeking comment from Whataburger’s public relations department was not immediately returned. And a message sent to Clear Creek Crossings representative Ryan Stahl was also not immediately returned.
The Charlotte Ledger newsletter cited the permit earlier Monday in a social media post.
Whataburger expansion plans
Whataburger has been exciting burger fans with plans to expand its footprint across the country since BDT Capital purchased the company in 2019.
Restaurant locations will be coming to Raleigh, Durham and Cary that could open as early as 2025, a Whataburger spokesperson has confirmed to The News & Observer. South Carolina also opened this fall to long lines from faithful followers in Spartanburg and Columbia, The Post and Courier reported.
In September 2022, CharlotteFive reported that permits were also filed with the city for a potential Whataburger location in a former bank building at 5301 South Blvd.
The property is still listed among those available at Tyvola Square on the Kimco Realty website. But it’s not uncommon for construction and renovation projects to stretch out over several years, particularly since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
Whataburger v. What-A-Burger
Lest we confuse Whataburger and What-A-Burger, know there’s a trademark infringement lawsuit in the courts.
The What-A-Burger restaurants in Concord, Kannapolis and Mooresville aren’t part of the Texas-based chain. They have been selling burgers in North Carolina since E.L. “Eb” Bost and C.W. Bost founded What-A-Burger in 1956.
Whataburger was founded by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950.
