Whataburger: What A Lineup!

    SAN ANTONIO, TX, October 10, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Whataburger Patty Melt. The Chop House Cheddar Burger. The Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. And yes indeed, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger. Whataburger's most beloved menu items have never before shared the spotlight, each reigning supreme for a limited time only before taking a bow and letting the next shine on center stage. But no more.

Beginning Oct. 10 at 3 p.m., the four beloved sandwiches will appear all day, every day, side-by-side on Whataburger's new All-Time Favorites menu. The only question for Whataburger fans now is: how to pick just one?

"Our All-Time Favorites menu brings together the legends, the items that we hear about from our customers all year long," said Rich Scheffler, Whataburger Group Director of Marketing. "In our restaurants, in email, on Facebook and Twitter, our customers ask: when are these favorites coming back and why don't we have them every day? This menu is, without a doubt, for them."

A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger
The news couldn't be better for fans of the A.1. Thick & Hearty. Retired in 2009, fans have never stopped campaigning for its return. The burger, first introduced in 1998, features two fresh, never-frozen, 100 percent American beef patties, topped with bacon, cheese, grilled onions, and of course A.1. Thick & Hearty Steak Sauce, served on Whataburger's signature five-inch bun. It boasts its own fan club, Facebook page and support group. One Facebook fan described the burger's retirement as "the end of the world."

Whataburger promised its customers that it would reconsider its decision if the company saw an overwhelming response from customers to save it - and it has.

"We couldn't deny these devoted fans any longer," said Scheffler.

Whataburger Patty Melt
So popular that is has its very own Facebook page, the Patty Melt was first introduced as a limited-time menu item in July 2008. Its crowd-pleasing status is evident on the customer-created Facebook page, which includes comments such as, "If I were stranded on a desert island, and could have only one food, it would be you."

The Patty Melt is made with two fresh, never-frozen American beef patties, two slices of Monterey Jack cheese, grilled onions, and Whataburger's famous Creamy Pepper Sauce, served between two thick slices of signature Texas Toast.

When the sandwich last vanished from the menu, a fan posted a eulogy stating, "It's a sad day in America, we lost something near and dear to our hearts."

Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich
The Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich, first introduced in 2003, is "given to us by the fast food gods," according to Kimmie T. on Yelp. Featuring three crispy chicken strips and two slices of Monterey Jack cheese, customers can choose to have the sandwich on Whataburger's classic 5-inch bun or bold Texas Toast.

The real reason for the cravings, though, is the Honey BBQ Sauce. "It's classic, it's tangy, it's sweet," notes a Whataburger team member in the upcoming ad about the sandwich. A customer confirms the sentiment, noting: "I love the sauce, you can't find it anywhere else."

Chop House Cheddar Burger
The newest kid on the block is the Chop House Cheddar Burger. Introduced in 2009, it's made with two 100 percent fresh, never-frozen, American beef patties grilled to perfection, topped with grilled onions, melted shredded cheddar cheese, two slices of crispy bacon and creamy steak sauce on a fresh, toasted five-inch bun. When the Chop House returns each year, one Facebook fan says "the quality of life instantly improves."

The addition of the All-Time Favorites menu directly ties into Whataburger's recently announced new advertising campaign, launching this week, which focuses its attention on the pride Whataburger has for its freshly-prepared menu offerings, its customers and employees. In the campaign, Whataburger fans and employees share their personal connections to the burger icon's craveable menu.

Whataburger will feature the sandwiches on its menu indefinitely at each of its 700-plus locations. The four All-Time Favorites are available in junior size.

ABOUT WHATABURGER:
Whataburger has focused on its fresh, never frozen, 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. Become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/whataburger and follow the brand on Twitter @Whataburger.

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

Meredith Hargrove
Corporate Communications
Whataburger Restaurants, LP
(210) 476-6403
[email protected]

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