Back in November, Texas-based burger chain Whataburger held a “ground-breaking” ceremony at 10150 Ulmerton Road in Largo, where, coverage by Business Observer said in November, the building had in fact already been completed, with only interior work remaining. But a groundbreaking ceremony was nonetheless appropriate, as the Largo location is only the first in a series of Whataburgers set to open as the company prepared to make a comeback in the area.
The brand previously had several locations in the Tampa Bay area, in locales like Clearwater and St. Petersburg, but it’s been absent for about 20 years. Now, with the launch of its Largo location, a big comeback is about to start.
“The first to open will be the Largo restaurant unveiled in early November,” the coverage said. “A location in Brandon, just east of Tampa, is set to open in the spring. The third will be in Lutz, just north of Tampa in Pasco, which will open in the summer.”
Tampa Bay Business & Wealth reported that a total of eight locations are expected by the end of 2027.
Where else, you might ask? Well, the Miami Herald has reported on the opening of two additional locations, both planned for Manatee County. Reporting by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune places one of them in the SeaFlower Village Center, at Cortez Road West and 75th Street West, while Bradenton Herald coverage published all the way back in 2024 places another in the Marketplace at Heritage Harbor. (Both locations are in Bradenton.)
The classic burger chain’s menu includes an increasingly eclectic range of choices. The Whataburger website is currently highlighting choices like the newly returned Monterey Melt, the new Big Ranch Wrap, and the limited-time-only Chicken Fajita Taco.
“Whataburger is more than a burger chain,” the website says. “It’s a place that feels like home to more than 51,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. It’s a brand built on pride, care and love. It’s a place people count on in their communities. It’s a place where goodness lives. So now with more than 1,130 Whataburger restaurants across 17 states stretching from Las Vegas to the Carolinas, road-trippers and hometown folks alike continue gathering under the big orange-and-white roofs for fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly service.”
You can keep up with all things Whataburger by following @whataburger on Instagram.
