Whataburger Turns Up The Heat With Fiery "Jalapeno Week"

    SAN ANTONIO, TX, January 11, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Whataburger is spicing up January's frigid weather with its first-ever Jalapeno Week. Beginning Monday, January 11 through Sunday, January 17, customers can add jalapenos to any burger, sandwich, taquito or other entree for free, regularly about 45 cents per item.

On Tuesday, January 12, firefighters and police officers from 16 different departments in eight cities will compete in jalapeno eating contests at Whataburger restaurants in El Paso, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi and Austin, Texas; Oklahoma City, Okla. and Phoenix, Ariz. Department teams will see who can eat 12 whole, pickled jalapeños the fastest, with the winning team taking home $750 for a charity of their choice. The runners-up will each earn $250 for charities of their choosing. Overall, Whataburger will donate $8,000.

"Because of our roots in Texas and the Southwest, our customers are no strangers to spicy heat. In an average week, we get requests to add jalapenos more than 100,000 times," said Rich Scheffler, Group Director of Marketing for Whataburger Restaurants, LP. "Our customers know our heritage of making every order customized and they're not afraid to take advantage and spice things up."

Whataburger's Jalapeno Week is part of Whataburger Serves, a year-long series of themed activities that demonstrate Whataburger's service-oriented approach to business. Plans include events to build employee team spirit and morale, customer appreciation initiatives and activities as well as free food offers, and community programs that support groups in need. More information about 'Whataburger Serves' is available at http://www.whataburger.com/whataburger_serves.

ABOUT WHATABURGER:
Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers: "What a burger!" Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, all-American beef burgers served on five-inch buns. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 700 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $1 billion annually. Visit 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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