Whataburger Opens First Tampa Bay Location
The Texas-based fast-food chain Whataburger has opened its first location in the Tampa Bay area, situated in Largo, Florida. The opening marks the company's official entry into the regional market. Whataburger reportedly plans to open additional restaurants throughout the area.
- This opening marks Whataburger's return to the Tampa Bay market after a nearly 15-year hiatus. - The Largo restaurant is the first of eight locations planned for the Tampa Bay region by the end of 2027, with the next two slated for Brandon and Lutz in the spring of 2026. - Located at 10150 Ulmerton Road, the 3,671-square-foot building was previously a Joella's Hot Chicken and underwent a $1.3 million remodel for the new restaurant. - The new location will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and serves breakfast from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. - This is the 48th Whataburger location in Florida; the company's first-ever restaurant outside of its home state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida, in 1959. - Ahead of its return to the region, Whataburger donated $10,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay to support local school pantry programs. - Founded by the Dobson family in 1950, a majority stake in the company was sold to Chicago-based investment firm BDT Capital in 2019 to help finance long-term expansion plans.
