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. I love Whataburger and it is a Texas staple. 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. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Harmon Dobson was born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Ethel Dobson. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. 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. Learning about Dobsons history was interesting as well, I didnt know that he had originally started out attempting to capitalize on the oil industry. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. 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. Thats when they look at me through squinted eyes and really say, Yeah, Right!! But in April of that year, a plane accident cut short Harmon's life, leaving her with three . BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. The likeness of Andrews, wearing a cowboy hat and mounted on a limestone pedestal, was commissioned to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the oldest franchise of the iconic Texas burger chain. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. Make sure that the file is a photo. [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. 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. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Geographical origins Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The Alice franchise was a quick success, and over the decades Whataburger and the Andrews familys company, Whataburger of Alice (WOA), grew in tandem. In part because of its regional statusof the nearly 800 current Whataburger locations, more than 600 are in Texasthe chain inspires a combination of pride and loyalty among many Texans. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. They have also hosted Wow fund-raising events where they combine fun community activities with charitable giving. His parents had reason to worry. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. That someone was Harmon Dobson, and that chain is Whataburger, which he started in a Corpus Christi shack in 1950, and which today numbers some 700 restaurants, the majority of them still in Texas. Dobson later was hired to help build a naval base where he worked on building radio towers, tanks and hangars. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. Please enter your email and password to sign in. In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Were not making much profit but at least they are going fast for our product.7, August 12, 1950- Big Day 141.80 What a workhouse 551 hamburgers.8, Dobson realized the presentation of his burgers mattered. In our eighth decade, we entered new markets including Kansas City, Nashville, and Colorado Springs, expanding our restaurant footprint to 14 states. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. Benefits. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. Oct 21, 2020, 9:31am PST. Perhaps the Depression stuck with young Harmon because food was important to him long after tough economic times had ended. 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. Is It Possible to Be Vegan Without Eating Vegetables? I found this sad and interesting. Although he missed college, Harmon was determined to make his way in the world. Having lived in Texas for the 18 years of my life, I found it really interesting to finally know the full history of Whataburger. 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. 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. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. 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. Dobson faced financial challenges. By the mid-60s, there were over 40 stores in fifteen Texas cities and four states. ! BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. 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. With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. Harmon Dobson, a "young entrepreneur" who made his start in life shipbuilding, oil drilling and diamond training, was the man behind the burgers. She also gave copious amounts of her time and money back to Corpus Christi and the state. Great article! His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. Charities like cancer research, childrens education, child abuse prevention, and hunger are still dear to the companys heart. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Grace Williamson and her 5-year-old son, Tom, rented a home owned by Dobsons brother Coy. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. And a new building design, which retained the spirit of the original A-frame, was unveiled. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. The exterior of the original Burger Boy restaurant at 2323 N. St. Mary's. Chuck Blount / Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 6. Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Occupation: Business Nationality: United States Executive summary: CEO of Whataburger Father: Harmon A. Dobson (Whataburger founder, d. 1967, plane crash) Mother: Grace (d. 1-Sep-2005) Brother: Hugh Sister: Lynne Whataburger President (1993-2007) Whataburger CEO (1993-) George W. Bush for President Two years later, three Corpus Christi locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much to the delight of hungry patrons. 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. Numbers went from 600 to 950 burgers per day.10, August 4, 1951- Proud to be the beginning of what may be a lifelong business. 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. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. 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. Lawrence Jagmin, of Frankfort, crashed Tuesday evening near Illinois 394 and Lincoln Highway in Ford Heights. Unflinching, she steadfastly refused. When he opened the first stand, on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, he envisioned selling a burger big enough that it would take two hands to hold it. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . Search above to list available cemeteries. Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. Wow! Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. [1] In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Along the way they talked about old times and old friends. It was the first Whataburger restaurant outside the state of Texas. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. . 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. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Verify and try again. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. 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. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. 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. [4] 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. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. 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. The case went to trial in 1993, but the two sides settled before the jury reached a verdict. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. ), When most Whataburger customers walk into the restaurant, they have no idea if the place they are eating at is a franchise or a corporate-owned branch. 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. This venture led him to his destiny in the Lone Star State. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. So proud & so tired.17. The main reason for the move was for oil. 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. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. 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. By 1949, Dobson was done with diamonds and began searching for a safe place to land. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. Proving everyone wrong, Grace lived her entire life in the same house that her husband bought her. Loved this article! In 1952 Andrews, who lived in Alice, brought his family to eat at the Kingsville branch and was so impressed that he contacted Dobson about buying a franchise. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Year should not be greater than current year. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Dobson's journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. By the late eighties the company had begun to lose its way. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Tom officially took over Whataburger in 1993 and is still company chairman today. He attributes that success to Whataburgers prudent approach to growth, training, and customer service. 9 Intense Plane Crashes Caused By Stalls Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation 3.2M views 2 years ago 8 Bad Weather Plane Crashes Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian. 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. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. August 20, 1989. As one of the largest franchisees, WOA was hit particularly hard by this arrangement. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. Harmon never lived to see his shack become a regional burger empire; he died in a plane crash in 1967. A few weeks after the funeral, Grace visited Dobson in Corpus Christi, and they had their first date at Whataburger. In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. In short, Whataburger made it very plain that its position is that Whataburger never intended WOA would have the benefits that the 1993 Agreement clearly states that it does, the lawsuit says. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. 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.