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Whataburger Is Opening 17 New Locations in 7 States (Is Yours One?)

Whataburger is deepening its Southern and Southwestern footprint

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Oct. 8, 2026

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Over the course of its 75-year history, Texas-based fast food chain Whataburger has developed something of a cult following. Diners will drive for miles, or even hop on planes, for the restaurant's classic cheeseburgers, patty melts, and fries.

For some lucky diners, the journey to their favorite fast food meal may soon be getting a lot shorter.

The burger chain is planning to open 17 new restaurants across seven states by the end of November, giving customers in several Southern and Southwestern markets a new place to grab one of its made-to-order specialties.

The expansion includes several new locations in Whataburger's home state of Texas, but the company is also continuing to push into newer markets (like Florida) where it has been steadily building its presence.

So before you waste money on a plane ticket to grab your next burger, here's where Whataburger plans to open its newest restaurants and when customers can expect burgers to start hitting the grill.

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Arizona

Location: Tucson

Opening date: October 2026

Tucson, Arizona will be getting a ninth Whataburger sometime this fall, though the chain has yet to release details about the exact location or opening date.

Arizona is one of the states the restaurant has had a presence in for years, so the new location represents an expansion of its existing footprint rather than entry into a new market.

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Florida

Location: Fort Myers, 12916 S. Cleveland Ave.

Opening date: September 10, 2026

Location: Estero

Opening date: October 2026

Florida is getting two new Whataburger restaurants this fall.

The Fort Myers location, which opened September 10, marks the first Whataburger in Southwest Florida. A second southwestern location will be opening in nearby Estero in the coming weeks.

The company has been particularly active in Florida this year. In February, it opened a Tampa Bay location, following it up with an Orlando restaurant this summer. The fast food joint told USA Today that those areas, along with Raleigh, North Carolina, represent three of its newest markets.

Georgia

Location: Locust Grove

Opening date: October 2026

Location: Conyers

Opening date: October 2026

Location: Villa Rica

Opening date: November 2026

Georgia currently has 40 Whataburger locations spread across the state. This fall, three new restaurants will be joining the lineup.

The state is one of the chain's fastest-growing markets. Before 2022, there was just one Whataburger in the area, but after a flurry of locations opened in the Atlanta metro area, the burger spot took off. Now the restaurant is focusing on adding locations in some of its most-visited neighborhoods.

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Louisiana

Location: West Monroe, 198 Thomas Rd.

Opening date: August 24, 2026

One of the earliest openings in this wave of Whataburger locations happened in West Monroe in late August.

While this is the first Whataburger in this northern town, the state itself is one of the chain's largest markets.

Mississippi

Location: Batesville

Opening date: November 2026

Mississippi is one of Whataburger's smaller markets. In November, the new Batesville location will be the 15th in the state. The chain has yet to release details about the exact location and opening day.

New Mexico

Location: Albuquerque

Opening date: October 2026

New Mexico's largest city will be getting a 10th Whataburger later this fall.

With the new addition, New Mexico will have 20 Whataburgers, making it a well-established market for the chain.

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Texas

Location: San Antonio, 10411 Schaenfield Rd.

Opening date: August 24, 2026

Location: Killeen, 530 W. Stan Schlueter Loop

Opening date: August 31, 2026

Location: Pearsall, 135 I-35

Opening date: September 21, 2026

Location: Liberty Hill

Opening date: October 2026

Location: Melissa

Opening date: October 2026

Location: Shenandoah

Opening date: October 2026

Location: Weatherford

Opening date: October 2026

Location: Round Rock

Opening date: November 2026

Unsurprisingly, Texas accounts for the largest share of new Whataburger locations, with eight new restaurants set to open this fall.

That reflects both Whataburger's roots and the sheer size of its Texas footprint. The chain opened its first restaurant in Corpus Christi in 1950, and still has a substantial majority of its restaurants in the Lone Star State.

Current location data puts the number of Texas restaurants at roughly 784, nearly 65% of its U.S. total.

What's behind Whataburger's expansion?

These 17 restaurants are part of a larger growth strategy that has taken Whataburger well beyond its Texas roots.

With 1,210 locations spread across 17 states, the company is a sizable regional chain, and its place on QSR's 2026 fast food report underscores its strong position in the industry.

Whataburger's new Chief Development Officer Todd Ewen has emphasized that expansion is a top priority for the company, as the company seeks to capture a larger portion of food spend and bring its made-to-order burgers to a wider audience.

"We are joining communities where we can have the most impact, provide the best hospitality, and serve a great meal," he said in a recent statement.

Bottom line

Whataburger may still be concentrated primarily in the South and Southwest, but its footprint continues to grow. The latest round of openings shows the chain both strengthening its presence in established markets and pushing into new ones.

If your city isn't on this list, keep an eye on Whataburger's announcements and official location finder. The chain's location finder allows customers to search by city, state or ZIP code and is the best place to check for new restaurants and opening updates.

Your fast food options might be expanding faster than you think.

FAQs

Are exact opening dates available for every new Whataburger?

No. Several upcoming restaurants have only an announced opening month, and some addresses have yet to be released. Check for updated details before making a special trip.

How can I find a new Whataburger near me?

Use Whataburger's official location finder to search by city, state, or ZIP code. You can also watch the chain's announcements for opening dates and details about upcoming restaurants.

Are these all the Whataburger locations opening in 2026?

No. These 17 restaurants represent a wave of openings from August through November, rather than Whataburger's full-year expansion. Other locations opened earlier in 2026, and additional restaurants could be announced. Check Whataburger's official announcements for updates.

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