Whataburger Announces Acquisition of Largest Franchisee

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Sept. 2008 - Family-owned Whataburger today announced the acquisition of its largest franchisee, Barrand, Inc., a Red Oak, Texas-based company with 47 Whataburger restaurants in Northeast Texas and the Florida Panhandle.

These restaurants were operated by Barrand, Inc.‘s owner and longtime Whataburger franchisee, Randal Brown. Whataburger Vice President of Franchise Development Clifton Rutledge will oversee the newly acquired restaurants, 24 in Northeast Texas and 23 in the Florida Panhandle, and work with approximately 1,700 Barrand, Inc. team members to continue Whataburger’s 58-year burger tradition.

“Randal has been a part of our franchise system for 24 years. His restaurants are known for their friendly service, as community gathering places, and were consistently among the highest volume restaurants in the system,” Preston Atkinson, Whataburger President and COO, said. “This acquisition goes far beyond numbers for Whataburger. It is significant because it means we can ensure that our loyal customers continue to receive the friendly service and fresh, made-to-order food they’ve come to love at Whataburger.”

Mr. Brown became a Whataburger franchisee in 1983, opened his first location in Desoto, Texas and demonstrated steady growth to 47 restaurants.

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Whataburger family and seeing this brand grow,” Brown said. “I know our restaurants will continue to be an important part of many Texas and Florida communities for years to come.”

Whataburger will now own 591 of 712 Whataburger restaurants, including 84 percent of all its locations in Florida, strengthening its position in the first state Whataburger expanded to outside of Texas.

  Contacts:  Suzanne Miller or Allison Yeaman
          SPM Communications
          (817) 329-3257
          .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)@spmcommunications.com

          Pam Cox
          Corporate Communications
          Whataburger Restaurants, LP
          (361) 878-0547
          .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Source: Whataburger
 

CONTACT:  Suzanne Miller or Allison Yeaman, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), both of SPM Communications, +1-817-329-3257, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), for Whataburger; or Pam Cox, Corporate Communications of Whataburger Restaurants, LP, +1-361-878-0547, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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