National Whataburger Day

National Whataburger Day is an annual celebration honoring Whataburger, the beloved fast-food chain known for its made-to-order burgers and iconic orange-and-white striped buildings. This special day celebrates the restaurant’s food, fans, and employees (known as Family Members) who represent the heart and soul of the brand.

Quick Facts

When is it?: August 8
Tagged as: Food & Beverage Holiday
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalWhataburgerDay
When was it founded?: 2023
Who founded it?: National Day Calendar in collaboration with Whataburger

History of National Whataburger Day

The day commemorates the founding of Whataburger by Harmon Dobson, who opened the first restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas. His vision was simple: create a burger so big it required two hands to hold and so good that customers would exclaim “What a burger!” after their first bite.

Timeline

1950: First Whataburger opens in Corpus Christi
1971: First drive-thru location debuts
1982: Introduces 24/7 operations
2001: Designated as “Texas Treasure” by Texas Legislature
2023: First official National Whataburger Day celebration

Dates by Next Year

Year	Month	Date	Day
2024	August	8	Thursday
2025	August	8	Friday
2026	August	8	Saturday
2027	August	8	Sunday
2028	August	8	Tuesday
2029	August	8	Wednesday

How It’s Observed

Celebrations include free Whataburgers through the rewards app, special edition table tents, community service initiatives, and charitable activities like student lunch debt relief programs.

Fun Facts About Whataburger

The original burger sold for 25 cents in 1950
There are nearly 38,000 ways to customize a Whataburger
Whataburger’s ketchup, mustard, and mayo are proprietary recipes
The Space Shuttle Columbia crew took Whataburger cookies to space in 1999

Quiz

Where was the first Whataburger opened?
What year did Whataburger begin?
How much did the first Whataburger cost?
(Answers: Corpus Christi, 1950, 25 cents)