36,864 Ways To Customize The Usual Whataburger Order

    SAN ANTONIO, TX, September 03, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Quick service chain Whataburger is launching a month-long campaign to remind customers to make their Whataburger a custom-made one. In fact, there are 36,864 different ways to make a Whataburger with special requests like grilled onions, jalapenos, triple meat and extra cheese.

The campaign includes new signage at all of the chain's locations on inside and outside menu boards inviting customers to customize their Whataburger with step-by-step instructions. The chain's approach to burger customization is part of the heritage established by founder Harmon Dobson. Dobson opened the first Whataburger location as a short order grill where every order was made-to-order in a small, roadside stand in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950.

The company continues to pride itself on top-notch customer service today by delivering each customer's burger made-to-order, like those of Whataburger fan Joe Martinez. Martinez has a 15-year Sunday night tradition of having Whataburger and watching a movie with his family.

"Fifteen years ago I started ordering a Whataburger with cheese on a toasted wheat bun with grilled onions and jalapenos," said Martinez. "Colleagues even know what I'm going to order for lunch before they ask. A former colleague once guessed my lunch order during a work meeting. A friend asked her how she knew and she replied, 'We worked together for four years!' So everyone I know, knows just how I like my Whataburger."

Specific orders like Martinez's are common and provide golden opportunities for Whataburger's hospitality-focused burger building professionals who memorize regular customers' orders and routinely execute special requests like extra pickles, add mayonnaise, extra crispy bacon and grilled onions or jalapenos.

The ordering process starts with customers choosing their meat. Customers can choose from four options: a four-ounce Whataburger patty or two-ounce Whataburger Jr. patty made from 100 percent pure American beef or grilled chicken or breaded Whatachick'n. Customers can also add double or triple meat.

Next, customers can choose from four bread options. Choices include Whataburger's larger-than-industry-standard five-inch white or wheat bun, Texas toast or a smaller, four-inch white bun. Customers can also request the bun toasted or not. All of Whataburger's bread is baked fresh and delivered to each restaurant five times a week, a standard normally reserved for grocery stores.

Customers then select the condiments for their burger which sets Whataburger apart because of their extraordinary freshness and proprietary recipes. Customers can choose from mayonnaise, mustard or Whataburger's proprietary Fancy Ketchup that inspires its own fan following on Facebook.

Finally, add on some fresh, crisp vegetables: lettuce (chopped fresh each day after arriving in every restaurant as full heads of lettuce), tomatoes (sliced fresh daily), pickles and onions. Extras like cheese, jalapenos and bacon give the burger's flavor a kick and personality all its own.

"We are committed to delivering one-of-a-kind orders for our customers and we invite them to stop by for their custom burger order," said Clifton Rutledge, Vice President of Restaurant Operations for Whataburger Restaurants, LP. "Whether it's a Whataburger with triple meat on a 5" white bun, with mustard, onion and two slices of cheese or a double meat on Texas toast, fancy ketchup, mayo, tomato, lettuce, jalapenos and bacon, there is no order we won't make."

Though the campaign spotlighting Whataburger's penchant for special orders ends September 28, the company will continue to make every burger made-to-order with 36,864 options, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 364 days a year.

About Whataburger:
Whataburger has nearly 700 locations in 10 states and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the company has sales of more than $1 billion annually. Visit http://www.whataburger.com for more information on the company.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Suzanne Miller or Allison Yeaman
SPM Communications
(817) 329-3257
[email protected]
[email protected]

Natalie Silva
Corporate Communications
Whataburger Restaurants, LP
(210) 476-6547
[email protected]

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