Neither Whataburger nor Whataburger of Alice would be what it is today without the other. I had no idea that the founder of Whataburger started in the oil business! He was able to please his customers with a five-inch burger by making special arrangements with the Rainbo Bread Company to develop five-inch buns, which were an inch larger than the standard bun. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. Harmon Dobson, a "young entrepreneur" who made his start in life shipbuilding, oil drilling and diamond training, was the man behind the burgers. Two summers ago, with the South Texas sun beating down, a group of civic leaders gathered in front of the Whataburger on Main Street in Alice to unveil a bust of the late Joe Andrews Sr. Add to your scrapbook. 200 RESTAURANTS AND GROWING. Whataburgers affairs were more and more being turned over to the professionals, all of whom wanted to participate in what by now had ceased to be a family business and had become simply a large corporate entity, WOA claims in its lawsuit. After the settlement, the leadership of both companies changed. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. In fact, people love representing Whataburger so much, they rush out to get the latest Whataburger swag: from Whataburger sunglasses to Whataburger sneakers, t-shirts, sweaters, and hats. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. Peterson resigned in 1993. Learning about Dobsons history was interesting as well, I didnt know that he had originally started out attempting to capitalize on the oil industry. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson and they became Whataburger's First Couple. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. In addition to a legacy of giving, Lady Grace made sure to instill her children with hard work and Whataburger values. There was a problem getting your location. Earlier this year, Andrewss company, now run by his daughter, Kathy Andrews Reese, sued the restaurant chain, claiming that Whataburger had reneged on a 22-year-old agreement between the two companies. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. Yet, I find it insane that Dobson died so tragically and unexpectedly before he could see his fast food chain truly flourish and gain a big following from many Texans and others from different states. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. The Alice franchise was a quick success, and over the decades Whataburger and the Andrews familys company, Whataburger of Alice (WOA), grew in tandem. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. Search above to list available cemeteries. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. But the rift between the Andrews family and the burger chain they helped build represents a struggle between the past and the present, and between two families who have known each other for a long time. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Oct 21, 2020, 9:31am PST. She did not like to drive, so for years he picked her up and drove her to monthly USO meetings. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. While her husband, Harmon Dobson, was the one who launched the first Whataburger, it was Lady Grace who clung tightly to her husbands legacy through terrible trials and tragedies. Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. Whataburger is so common to me, as a Texan, that I forget not every state has one. "It was a friendship that grew and grew," Sheka said. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. [4] In 1993, her son Tom Dobson became the CEO and president of Whataburger. The Harmon Rocket two-seat sport plane . It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. [2] Dobson spent most of his early life working on his parents' cattle farm. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Thats quite a success story to tell, though. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. Before the Whataburger, the typical burger was a White Castle slider, a two-ounce beef patty on a 2-inch bun. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. (Dobson remains as chairman.) This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. Harmon was a stickler for cleanliness and very detailoriented, his sister LenaRae explained to biographer Greg Woolridge. [5][9], "Deep in the Heart: Whataburger's Long History of Success and Brand Identity", "Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harmon_Dobson&oldid=1103833486, This page was last edited on 11 August 2022, at 05:01. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. She was very excited about that." Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. In 2001, the Whataburger Family Foundation officially began, though the charitable efforts had been ongoing since day one. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Whataburger is more than a burger chain. I never knew anything about the man who created it and i found it hilarious that he wanted people to say what a burger! Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. Charities like cancer research, childrens education, child abuse prevention, and hunger are still dear to the companys heart. Published by Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Sep. 3, 2005. It was such a smart marketing move to drop flyers, coupons, and carry a Whataburger banner in the air. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. based on information from your browser. Other franchisees settled their disputes in a separate agreement as part of Whataburgers efforts to repair its strained relations with them. This is the era in which country music legend Mel Tillis started appearing in television commercials for the company, a role that would continue through the 80s. Auteur/autrice de la publication : Post published: 16 juin 2022; Post category: . 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"But through all of their giving and the charitable things that they did for the community and the state of Texas it glowed down on her anyway. Shortly after arriving on campus, Harmon was called home to help with a family crisis. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. I had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing through his drinking by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a hamburger expert, in some small specialized hamburger joints somewhere in Texas. She was infuriated that people were telling her to sell off her husbands dream and just enjoy the money. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Failed to report flower. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. And a new building design, which retained the spirit of the original A-frame, was unveiled. The '70s was a decade of Whataburger milestones. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. Peterson resigned in 1993. By March 5, the couple was married. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. Joe Andrews Sr. died in 1999, and his son, Joe Jr., took overand then died suddenly three years later while attending a Whataburger conference in New Orleans. In February 1955, Coy passed away, and Dobson and Grace turned to each other for comfort. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. Once it was averted, Harmon began searching for a new path to success. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16533251/harmon-archibald-dobson. In 2012, though, Tom Dobson relinquished his CEO duties to Atkinson, a former contractor who started building Whataburger restaurants in 1986 and then joined the company in 1998. Unwilling to compromise, Dobson offered Burton the keys to his yellow Plymouth convertible and franchise rights to all of San Antonio in exchange for the business. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. Learn more about merges. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. The Andrews family refused and in March filed its suit, asking a judge to order Whataburger to abide by the 1993 agreement. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. According to the lawsuit, Reese met with Atkinson, who told her that despite the agreement, Whataburger didnt believe it was obligated to approve new sites and that it could veto any sites that the franchisee selected. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. The price of burgers was raised to 30 cents, and to Burtons chagrin, customers did not mind. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Try again later. The larger burgers that could be found back in the 1950s were served on 4-inch buns. It was interesting to me reading about the founder of this fast food chain Whtaburger, and all the dedication he put towards his work, I think is very tragic and unfortunate the way Dobson died, he would have accomplished much more succeses during his life time. Learn more about managing a memorial . Whataburger was becoming what Dobson always knew it could, and his family was happy and successful. [4], Dobson and Burton business venture was short lived when their partnership ended 1951 because of a dispute over Dobson's price raise of the burger from 25 to 30 cents. He felt like the burgers at Dairy King were too small and wanted to build a really big burger, calling it the Whataburger. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Please reset your password. The All-Time Favorites menu, featuring four of the most loved specialty sandwiches from over the years, made its debut and was greeted enthusiastically by Whataburger fans. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Verify and try again. Police found two dead people inside the. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. I think anyone who hasnt tried Whataburger definitely should because it is one of the best fast food places. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. Thats when they look at me through squinted eyes and really say, Yeah, Right!! This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. In 2020, Whataburgers 70th anniversary year, curbside pickup and delivery options launched, the companys first food truck was unveiled, and our first new large-unit prototype opened. However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. But thats a tough needle to thread for a company that has developed intense customer loyalty because of its down-home, noncorporate image. I was also unaware of its background nor founder Harmon Dobson. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. I had no idea that the founder, Harmon Dobson, was not originally from here. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. Thank God for his drunken partners actions which led him to leave the oil business, otherwise, we wouldnt get to experience the beloved food of Whataburger! There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. Leave them blank to get signed up. 0 cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA. The golden age of drive-ins and American automobiles was just getting started back on August 8, 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened Whataburger #1. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. And as long as they can still get their Green Chile Double Whataburgers or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, they probably dont care. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Months later, Harmon raised the prices for burgers to 35 cents. Insiders still refer to this time in the companys history as the dead zone. Profits fell as the company overreached by opening stores in saturated markets like Las Vegas and adding menu items, like popcorn shrimp salad, that customers didnt want. Under the leadership of Grace Dobson, the company thrived and grew. This was a very interesting story as I am always buying Whataburger and hear that is was once a family restaurant but never really took the time to read and learn about the story. They have also hosted Wow fund-raising events where they combine fun community activities with charitable giving. H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. Oops, something didn't work. [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. Harmon Archibald Dobson [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. The Transportation Safety Board says a plane that crashed last year southwest of Edmonton killing the two people on board, had collided with a power line..