All three work hard to ensure that Whataburger never strays from their fathers original concept, which was to serve hungry people great food in a clean and friendly environment. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in 1955, five years after he opened the first Whataburger near Del Mar College. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. By 1967, business was booming. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Saturday, May 24, 2014 Plane Crash After I went to the library earlier this week, I found something Interesting as I was going through my notes. Its competition is McDonalds and Wendys, not a boutique operation with three locations that offers grass-fed-bison burgers topped with arugula on a gluten-free bun. The men were killed instantly.12, About two years after Harmon Dobsons death, on July 10, 1969, Grace Dobson, the wife of Harmon Dobson, was officially elected chairwoman of the board with George W. Garrison named as the president. [2] She ultimately refused to sell the company, wanting it to be kept in the family, and became chairwoman of the board of Whataburger until her death in 2005. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. There were nine crew members on board. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. Leave them blank to get signed up. [2] Dobson spent most of his early life working on his parents' cattle farm. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. By The Canadian Press Sat., Sept. 26, 2020 Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. 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. The menu grew as well, with French fries and hot pies being added in 1962. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Born:? Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. The University of Houstons Barth says such changes arent unusual in a company that has grown to Whataburgers size. By March 5, the couple was married. Learn more about managing a memorial . Learn more about merges. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. GREAT NEWS! My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. Spicing Things Up: Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Lineup Returns for a Limited Time, Get Ready for More Bold Flavors: Whataburger is Growing in Memphis, Whataburger Celebrates One Year of Delicious Dining in Colorful Colorado, MyWhataburger
Proving everyone wrong, Grace lived her entire life in the same house that her husband bought her. Were honored today to just say . Please enter your email and password to sign in. One part of this strategy, the lawsuit contends, is to buy out franchisees with an eye toward taking the company public; gaining greater control over its franchise operations could provide greater value to future shareholders. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Harmon Dobson died in a plane crash in 1967, and his widow, Grace (whose first date with Harmon was at Whataburger #3, in Corpus), ran things until the first outsider, Jim Peterson, took over in the early seventies. Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. After World War II ended in 1945, Dobson returned home to his home state of Arkansas, where he worked buying and selling used cars. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? Born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, Harmon Dobson was raised in the rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. In our eighth decade, we entered new markets including Kansas City, Nashville, and Colorado Springs, expanding our restaurant footprint to 14 states. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. Try again later. Its hard to ignore a burger that makes you say What a Burger!. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. I was also unaware of its background nor founder Harmon Dobson. I think anyone who hasnt tried Whataburger definitely should because it is one of the best fast food places. The Whataburger, however, was a whopping quarter pound of fresh grilled beef loaded with fresh vegetables and served on a 5-inch bun, and in 1950 there was nothing like it. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. I never knew anything about the man who created it and i found it hilarious that he wanted people to say what a burger! Grace Williamson and her 5-year-old son, Tom, rented a home owned by Dobsons brother Coy. Harmon was a stickler for cleanliness and very detailoriented, his sister LenaRae explained to biographer Greg Woolridge. ! Then they ask, whats a picture show? I try to explain drive in movies to them. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. . Resend Activation Email. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Dobson and Burton scouted out several locations for their big burger venture before settling on Corpus Christi. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. Weve updated the security on the site. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature officially recognized what Texans had known for more than 50 years: Whataburger is a designated a Texas Treasure.' In 1952, Dobson opened a location in Kingsville, Texas, this was the first store located outside of Corpus Christi. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. 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. In exchange, his company got renewed assurances of its exclusive rights to develop stores in Bee, Jim Wells, and Webb counties and locked in a royalty rate lower than that assigned to other franchisees. Dobson filled that need by buying used autos from urban areas like Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and selling them back in Batesville for huge profits. I never knew that Dobsons initial intent was to try and strike oil here in Texas. 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. Also on the board were Sam W. Main who was vice president, Laneil Andert who was secretary, Ray F. Miller who was treasurer, and Roscoe Smith and Tom E. Dobson as board members.13 During this time, Grace usually avoided the spotlight, but she attended almost every company event. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. It was very smart of Dobson to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers so that his business to boom even more. [4] Burton and Harmon decided that Burton would own the Whataburger franchises in San Antonio, Texas, while Harmon would own the rest of the company and its franchises. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. So proud & so tired.17. Beechcraft Model 18. Search above to list available cemeteries. Some people are legendary because of what they have done, but others and perhaps the most important ones, are legendary because of who they are. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. 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. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. A system error has occurred. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. With his massive profits, he dabbled in oil speculation and mining diamonds in South America. Failed to remove flower. By the end of 1950, Dobson had quit both the oil and auto industries and made Whataburger his sole venture. Its not surprising that people might want a bigger piece of that pie.. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians, The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition. "It was a friendship that grew and grew," Sheka said. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. This was a very interesting story to tell! Thats quite a success story to tell, though. Sadly, in 2005, Whataburger Family Members mourned the loss of Lady Grace as she was called by many. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. 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. Benefits. No major injuries were reported when a Boston-bound plane carrying more than 20 people struck a fence and erupted in flames while taking off at Houston Executive Airport on Tuesday morning,. [3][2], In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson, a widow with a five-year-old son. New menu additions soon followed, including the Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick'nand the now-famous breakfast Taquitos. Thomas Mark Harmon, 50, of Laurel, Mont., died at the scene Monday after crashing his small plane . However, Dobson was already looking to move on to bigger ventures. We also elevated General Managers in our more than 850 restaurants to Operating partners, serving as the face of Whataburger in their communities, connecting and creating relationships with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. He attributes that success to Whataburgers prudent approach to growth, training, and customer service. I thought it was only a Texas thing and never heard of them existing anywhere else. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. 200 RESTAURANTS AND GROWING. Add to your scrapbook. 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. Lawrence Jagmin, of Frankfort, crashed Tuesday evening near Illinois 394 and Lincoln Highway in Ford Heights. By the mid-60s, there were over 40 stores in fifteen Texas cities and four states. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. 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. Contents 1 Early life 2 Whataburger 3 Death 4 References Early life In addition to a legacy of giving, Lady Grace made sure to instill her children with hard work and Whataburger values. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Peterson resigned in 1993. He flew to Texas to scout out the oil and auto possibilities in places like Witchita Falls, Dallas, and Houston. I have heard that Whataburger is from Texas but I was never completely sure. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. They were finally recovered earlier this month after five months of rescue attempts. The brand really is tied to both of these families, Hartmann says. In Reeses telling, the states most famous burger joint has become just another greedy corporate entity. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. Harmon Dobson died in a plane crash in 1967, and his widow, Grace (whose first date with Harmon was at Whataburger #3, in Corpus), ran things until the first outsider, Jim Peterson, took. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. After hearing from a friend in Houston that Texas was teeming with both cars and oil, Dobson, whose business ventures now had him traveling halfway across the U.S., purchased a private plane and learned to fly it. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. Ive always associated Whataburger with Texas and learning more about an integral part of Texan culture was enjoyable. The wreckage of a military plane found this month on an Alaska glacier is that of an Air Force plane that crashed in 1952, killing all 52 people aboard, military officials said Wednesday. His parents had reason to worry. Burton wanted to cut back on the product, convinced that customers would not pay that much. In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He kicked off New Year's Day 1950 with a. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. At first, Harmon was content to help his parents on the farm, but his wanderlust eventually returned, calling him elsewhere. [2], Dobson moved to Texas, where he co-founded the first Whataburger with Paul Burton, who was looking to open a hamburger restaurant. During this time he traveled to North Africa where he helped build a U.S. Navy base and worked on airplane hangars, radio towers, tanks, and whatever else the Navy needed. In November 1942, a B-17 bomber with a 12-man crew crashed into a Greenland ice cap. Today, Whataburger is a big part of Texas culture, and families all over the Lone Star State can say thank you to Harmon Dobson for helping them to celebrate some of the best moments of their lives. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. There was a problem getting your location. Harmon Dobson was born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Ethel Dobson. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. 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. From the very start, Lady Grace saw to it that Whataburger gave back to the community. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. The main reason for the move was for oil. The lawsuit, filed in San Antonio in March, traces the roots of the dispute to the earliest days of the Whataburger chain, which Dobson founded in 1950 after stints in shipbuilding, oil drilling, and diamond trading. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. You can count real friends on one hand. A Douglas C-124C Globemaster II plane, serial 52-1062, was damaged beyond repair in an accident 10 km from Stephenville-Harmon AFB, NL (YJT), Canada. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. We have set your language to [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. Treating our customers right. "I considered myself lucky to be a friend of Grace. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Harmon Archibald Dobson I found on Findagrave.com. 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. [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. And by the end of 1989, Whataburger was serving hot and fresh food at 440 different locations. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. The next year, we awarded more than $90 million in bonuses to our Family Members (what we call our employees) in thanks for their extraordinary service during the pandemic. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. 1 Colonization and Settlement (1500-1763), 2 Revolution and Early Republic (1754-1801), 4 Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), 5 Emergence of Modern America (1877-1929), 4 Late Middle Ages-Renaissance-Reformation Europe (1300-1648), 3 Post-Classical History (600 CE-1492 CE), HS 1302 United States History since 1877, SP 3392 Language Variation and Dialectology of Spanish, Dom DiFurio and Oria McCaffrey, Whataburgers founding family sells controlling stake in iconic Texas chain,, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. There was an error deleting this problem. They really caught on early to the adage that pioneers get slaughtered and settlers get the land, he says. As a team, they expanded the Whataburger chain and had a family. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. What disappointed Harmon most about this era was the news that although he was accepted to the University of Missouri to study journalism, he would never graduate. In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. The story begins in 1950, when Harmon Dobson, an Arkansas native, came to Texas with dreams of making it big in the oil business, but instead prospered in big burgers, opening the first Whataburger stand in Corpus Christi in August of that year. They are memories Sheka said he will treasure. By Stefano Esposito and Sam Kelly. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. 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. "She was a very shy woman, who didn't want the limelight," Adler said Friday. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. Instead, during the next 38 years, the Whataburger matriarch, who died of complications from cancer Thursday in a local hospital at age 80, played an integral part in growing the hamburger chain into the eighth largest in the nation. Two years later, three Corpus Christi locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much to the delight of hungry patrons. Wow! Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. It was such a smart marketing move to drop flyers, coupons, and carry a Whataburger banner in the air. Piloting a B-25 bomber, Harmon was flying with five other men through a thunderstorm when the plane's right wing tore away. Today, Whataburger is a billion-dollar industry, all because of the efforts of Whataburgers saving Grace. I love Whataburger and it is a Texas staple. 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. Following that, the adventurous Dobson traveled to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf to help build a refinery. The men were killed instantly.12, About two years after Harmon Dobsons death, on July 10, 1969, Grace Dobson, the wife of Harmon Dobson, was officially elected chairwoman of the board with George W. Garrison named as the president. However, the oil business would prove to be about as profitable for Dobson as the diamond business. Charities like cancer research, childrens education, child abuse prevention, and hunger are still dear to the companys heart. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. Being proud of everything we do. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. On April 11, 1967, at around 4:30 p.m., Dobson and his business associate Luther John Sneed took off in Dobson's Cessna Skymaster from an airport in LaPorte heading for Victoria, Texas. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. Today Whataburger has over 800 stores in ten states serving up Harmon Dobsons original Whataburger. Thanks for your help! Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in . The location of the first Whataburger was 2609 Ayers Street, across from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. Whataburger proposed breaking the stalemate by approving the Laredo location only if Reese agreed to relinquish its lower royalty rate and give Whataburger veto power over all site selections, the lawsuit claims. 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. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. The golden age of drive-ins and American automobiles was just getting started back on August 8, 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened Whataburger #1. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. The prosperity lasted until 1967 when Dobson and his friend Gene Crane were killed in a plane crash in La Porte, where they had stopped to refuel. Really great article. Dobson faced financial challenges. They have jalapeo eating contests, giveaways, and appearances from the company mascot, Whataguy. Es Cuaresma y Whataburger lo sabe: El Whatacatch, est de regreso! Dobson then bounced around a lot after that work on the Suez Canal in Egypt, and then in Bahrain where he was in charge of a construction of a mess hall. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. Dobson lived in the same modest house at Santa Fe Street and Meldo Park Drive for years, maintaining a close relationship with her children, grandchildren and friends, Sheka said. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. August 20, 1989. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. In 1934, Dobson started work as an apprentice ironworker, he later became a shipbuilder at the start of World War II. Thats when they look at me through squinted eyes and really say, Yeah, Right!! 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.