Although stores have not opened yet, the sights and sounds of future Whataburger locations are already being felt throughout the state. The Texas-based burger chain plans to open several restaurants in the Upstate and Midlands in 2024.
In Greenville County, signs are on full display in front of former KFC franchises on Woodruff Road and Butler Road with an expected opening this summer.
Whataburger President and CEO, Ed Nelson, has ties to the Upstate — he went to Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville and is a graduate of Clemson University.
In an interview with the Post and Courier, Nelson spoke about his excitement about bringing the chain to the Palmetto State.
“It’s taken a minute; 19 years being with Whataburger now,” Nelson said, “but I get the honor of bringing Whataburger to the Carolinas, to Atlanta, to Charlotte, to Raleigh, and to many other communities.”
The development of Whataburger in South Carolina has taken longer than expected due to the need to set up a supply chain for the fresh beef and produce the company uses at its locations.
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Alexander Ivannikov, said the South Carolina move has been in the works for a few years.
“Managing that product supply chain is a challenge,” Ivannikov said. “It’s something that most of our competitors don’t have to deal with.”
The company plans to hire 1,000 workers with the opening of multiple stores over the next several years. However, a Greenville location is on hold due to a conflict stemming from a 24-hour drive-thru being denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals last September.
Whataburger resubmitted an exemption application that the Board of Zoning Appeals will debate during its March 14 meeting.
According to The Herald, Scottie Blackwell, a spokesperson for Spartanburg County stated a development permit had been issued for a Whataburger location in the area.
Here is a full list of South Carolina locations Whataburger announced last year:
- 308 W Butler Dr, Mauldin, S.C. 29662 - summer 2024
- 1185 Dutch Fork Rd., Irmo, S.C. 29063 - late summer 2024
- 1941 E Main St., Spartanburg, S.C. 29307 - fall 2024
- 2900 Main St., Anderson, S.C. 29621 - fall 2024
- Boiling Springs & Double Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs, S.C. - fall 2024
- NWC S Lake Dr & Industrial Dr., Lexington, S.C. - fall 2024
- 1510 WO Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg, S.C. 29301 - late fall 2024
- 1537 E Main St., Duncan, S.C. 29334 - late fall 2024
- 5648 Calhoun Memorial Pkwy., Easley, S.C. 29640 - late fall 2024
