I had no idea that the founder, Harmon Dobson, was not originally from here. In 2001, the Whataburger Family Foundation officially began, though the charitable efforts had been ongoing since day one. While her husband, Harmon Dobson, was the one who launched the first Whataburger, it was Lady Grace who clung tightly to her husbands legacy through terrible trials and tragedies. Today, Whataburger is a billion-dollar industry, all because of the efforts of Whataburgers saving Grace. The main reason for the move was for oil. Under the leadership of Grace Dobson, the company thrived and grew. Dobson even cut a deal with a local bakery to make special-sized buns; the Rainbo bakery had to search the country for a company that could make pans big enough to bake them. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. Search above to list available cemeteries. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. I had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing through his drinking by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a hamburger expert, in some small specialized hamburger joints somewhere in Texas. By the company's seventh decade, Whataburger had grown from a single burger stand in Corpus Christi to an 800-restaurant chain that spanned every state from Arizona to Florida. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 10 Infamous US Plane Crashes | Smithsonian Channel - YouTube Statue of the Founder of Whataburger, Corpus Christi, Texas Leave them blank to get signed up. ! Then they ask, whats a picture show? I try to explain drive in movies to them. Non-family executives, without direct ownership interest in a privately held company, sometimes try to profit from a companys success by heading up a public offering. At first, Harmon was content to help his parents on the farm, but his wanderlust eventually returned, calling him elsewhere. In my personal opinion, I am glad he did not succeed in striking oil because I would not have been able to enjoy Whataburger. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. ). He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. With his massive profits, he dabbled in oil speculation and mining diamonds in South America. Private burial will be in Seaside Memorial Park. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. By 1965, it was estimated that Whataburger was selling 15,000 hamburgers a day. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Harmon Dobson died in a plane crash in 1967, and his widow, Grace (whose first date with Harmon was at Whataburger #3, in Corpus), ran things until the first outsider, Jim Peterson, took. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. [4] Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. Beechcraft Model 18. Earlier this year, Andrewss company, now run by his daughter, Kathy Andrews Reese, sued the restaurant chain, claiming that Whataburger had reneged on a 22-year-old agreement between the two companies. It amazes me how many people talk about whataburger and that those burgers are probably the best they have ever tried because of their unique taste, but I have never tasted one. However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. The exterior of the original Burger Boy restaurant at 2323 N. St. Mary's. Chuck Blount / Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 6. A few weeks after the funeral, Grace visited Dobson in Corpus Christi, and they had their first date at Whataburger. This browser does not support getting your location. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. based on information from your browser. He wanted this burgers to be so delicious that it would make a person yell, What a burger! This inspired the naming of his company. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. By Stefano Esposito and Sam Kelly. After experiencing numerous losses that caused him to lose over $5,000, Dobson returned to the U.S. Dobson began by doing dozens of quick auto deals before returning to Texas to scout for oil. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. The lawsuit, filed in San Antonio in March, traces the roots of the dispute to the earliest days of the Whataburger chain, which Dobson founded in 1950 after stints in shipbuilding, oil drilling, and diamond trading. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. The main reason for the move was for oil. On July 19, 1989, one of the most dramatic events in aviation unfolded in the skies over Iowa as heroic pilots battled to land a crippled DC-10. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. The two-seat aircraft crashed into a field north of Thorsby around 1:40 p.m., RCMP said in a Saturday evening news release. We also elevated General Managers in our more than 850 restaurants to Operating partners, serving as the face of Whataburger in their communities, connecting and creating relationships with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits. Franchisees also sued over a mandatory rebate plan, which WOA claims amounted to forcing vendors to pay illegal rebates, kickbacks, and bribes to Whataburger and its executives. In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. Unflinching, she steadfastly refused. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. Really great article. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. Resend Activation Email. I enjoyed reading the little journal entries included in this article because it makes it more unique and gives it a more personal feeling to what Dobson had been feeling and thinking as he was starting up Whataburger. The plane was bound for Love Field in Dallas when it went down at 5:16 P.M. according to Mitch Barket, a Federal Aviation Admistration spokesman. Were not making much profit but at least they are going fast for our product.7, August 12, 1950- Big Day 141.80 What a workhouse 551 hamburgers.8, Dobson realized the presentation of his burgers mattered. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. In fact, people love representing Whataburger so much, they rush out to get the latest Whataburger swag: from Whataburger sunglasses to Whataburger sneakers, t-shirts, sweaters, and hats. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. Today, more than seven-hundred of the distinctive orange and white WHATABURGER restaurants can be found in eleven states, and total more than $1billion is sales annually. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. Spicing Things Up: Whataburger Buffalo Ranch Chicken Lineup Returns for a Limited Time, Get Ready for More Bold Flavors: Whataburger is Growing in Memphis, Whataburger Celebrates One Year of Delicious Dining in Colorful Colorado, MyWhataburger He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. Auteur/autrice de la publication : Post published: 16 juin 2022; Post category: . Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. . I thought you might like to see a memorial for Harmon Archibald Dobson I found on Findagrave.com. The Transportation Safety Board says a plane that crashed last year southwest of Edmonton killing the two people on board, had collided with a power line.. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. The '70s was a decade of Whataburger milestones. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. GREAT NEWS! Also on the board were Sam W. Main who was vice president, Laneil Andert who was secretary, Ray F. Miller who was treasurer, and Roscoe Smith and Tom E. Dobson as board members.13 During this time, Grace usually avoided the spotlight, but she attended almost every company event. Months later, Harmon raised the prices for burgers to 35 cents. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. Learn more about managing a memorial . However, everything changed when Dobson was put in charge of the refinerys mess hall, and it was here that his education in large-scale food service began. This venture led him to his destiny in the Lone Star State. We still greet our customers with a smile 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They have jalapeo eating contests, giveaways, and appearances from the company mascot, Whataguy. The ceremony wasnt mere sentiment at work. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. And it is crazy to think how it was once only 35 cents and burger and not they are like 4-5 bucks for the same burger that they sold back then. And a new building design, which retained the spirit of the original A-frame, was unveiled. During Hurricane Harvey, Whataburger rallied around the Corpus Christi community and quickly began rebuilding and fundraising efforts. And as long as they can still get their Green Chile Double Whataburgers or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, they probably dont care. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Add to your scrapbook. Theres no question that Whataburger, if managed properly in the public market, could deliver a significant return, he says. This is such a great topic! More than seven decades ago, an adventurous and determined entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson had a bold idea: to serve a burger so big that it took two hands to hold, and so good that after a single bite customers couldn't help but exclaim, What a burger! He named his humble burger stand, located on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, Whataburger.. In short, Whataburger made it very plain that its position is that Whataburger never intended WOA would have the benefits that the 1993 Agreement clearly states that it does, the lawsuit says. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Born: October 8, 1913, Wayne, OK. Died: 1967, La Porte, TX. Whats the beef between Texass most iconic burger chain and its most loyal franchisee? A year later, the first of the familiar orange and white striped A-frames was built in Odessa, Texas. For the Andrews family, this shift in corporate culture first became apparent two years ago, when it told the company headquarters, which had moved from Corpus to San Antonio in 2009, that it wanted to open a new store in Laredo. Despite the leadership turmoil, the two companies continued operating under the 1993 agreement for more than twenty years, and tensions seemed to have eased. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. The All-Time Favorites menu, featuring four of the most loved specialty sandwiches from over the years, made its debut and was greeted enthusiastically by Whataburger fans. Treating our customers right. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. There was a problem getting your location. The meeting between Pierce and the rich soil of the coastal plains of Texas might have been destiny. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. The agreement stipulated that if Andrewss company identified a location in the three counties that it wanted to develop, Whataburger was obligated to approve the franchise. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. Whataburger proposed breaking the stalemate by approving the Laredo location only if Reese agreed to relinquish its lower royalty rate and give Whataburger veto power over all site selections, the lawsuit claims. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. Wow! I share with Whataburger employees how my brothers and I would have 35 cent Whataburgers from the original Ayers street store before going to the picture show. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. [6] According to witnesses, Dobson was apparently taking off in a steep climb when both engines on the plane failed at around 75 to 100 feet (23 to 30m) in the sky and then plummeted back into the ground. Charities like cancer research, childrens education, child abuse prevention, and hunger are still dear to the companys heart. 9 Intense Plane Crashes Caused By Stalls Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation 3.2M views 2 years ago 8 Bad Weather Plane Crashes Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. Verify and try again. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Yet, I find it insane that Dobson died so tragically and unexpectedly before he could see his fast food chain truly flourish and gain a big following from many Texans and others from different states. Mr. Harmon Dobson, the co-Founder of Whataburger Co., died on April 11, 1967, which left his wife and widow, Grace, to take control over the of the business. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. Burton wanted to cut back on the product, convinced that customers would not pay that much. harmon dobson plane crash. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. The war was over, and his adventure had ended. The first Whataburger was served 66 years ago today in South Texas - mySA The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. The children grew up working in the restaurants and are still a part of what makes Whataburger great today. Unique 30-foot-tall A-frame design spiked interest in Whataburger The beloved Nickel Mugnow a classic piece of Americanadebuted as a promotion which was supposed to last 1-year but ended up running for 14. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. He flew to Texas to scout out the oil and auto possibilities in places like Witchita Falls, Dallas, and Houston. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. Dobson was a notorious bachelor, but he had always liked a beautiful young widow he met at the C.I.T. Credit Corporation in Batesville during his auto dealing years. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Dobson faced financial challenges. Benefits. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Our History: The Whataburger Story Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. Harmon Dobson was born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Ethel Dobson. Otherwise, it wouldnt approve any new sites for WOA. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. The story begins in 1950, when Harmon Dobson, an Arkansas native, came to Texas with dreams of making it big in the oil business, but instead prospered in big burgers, opening the first Whataburger stand in Corpus Christi in August of that year. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . Grace Williamson and her 5-year-old son, Tom, rented a home owned by Dobsons brother Coy. These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. Learning about Dobsons history was interesting as well, I didnt know that he had originally started out attempting to capitalize on the oil industry. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. ), When most Whataburger customers walk into the restaurant, they have no idea if the place they are eating at is a franchise or a corporate-owned branch. Harmons parents, Hugh and Ethel, raised cattle and fed the family fresh beef, milk, and home-grown vegetables. This was interesting article especially since it was about a burger that is highly famous here in Texas. Born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, Harmon Dobson was raised in the rural farming community of Cushman, Arkansas. Other franchisees settled their disputes in a separate agreement as part of Whataburgers efforts to repair its strained relations with them. The likeness of Andrews, wearing a cowboy hat and mounted on a limestone pedestal, was commissioned to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the oldest franchise of the iconic Texas burger chain. It was an instant success, and Harmon began to expand the business to other markets. However, before he found his landing place, he took a detour to Africa where he partnered with friend JimmyAngel, who insisted that there was a lucrative diamond business there. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16533251/harmon-archibald-dobson. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. The location of the first Whataburger was 2609 Ayers Street, across from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. 1 of 6. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. . Dobson filled that need by buying used autos from urban areas like Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and selling them back in Batesville for huge profits. The case went to trial in 1993, but the two sides settled before the jury reached a verdict. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. However, Dobson was already looking to move on to bigger ventures. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. By the late eighties the company had begun to lose its way. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. A brief period of military camels in Texas became lost to even most history books. Normally, they look at me skeptically as if to say,Yeah, Right!! Their business completed the next day, on April 11, 1967, and the men were going back home. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Fifty years after standing in line at the first Whataburger where he made friends with Grace Dobson, local businessmen Robert Adler was on hand earlier this year when his friend "Lady Grace" threw out the first pitch at the opening of Whataburger Field. Ricky Nelson and Six Others Die As Their Plane Crashes in Texas Thats quite a success story to tell, though. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Under Reeses leadership, WOA repeatedly won the chains annual best franchise award. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. I'm going to miss her, too." After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took . He purchased a frozen custard stand called Dairy King in Big Spring, Texas, and ran it for a few weeks to learn the business. The pragmatic Lady Grace rolled up her sleeves and got to work, teaching her children the family business along the way. Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. By the company's seventh decade, Whataburger had grown from a single burger stand in Corpus Christi to an 800-restaurant chain that spanned every state from Arizona to Florida. Great job on your article Courtney! In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. I always found it kind of weird that Whataburger has mostly been a Texas obsession and it amazes me that when they expanded to Memphis and Las Vegas, business declined. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. Whataburger was becoming what Dobson always knew it could, and his family was happy and successful. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? Whataburger - Wikipedia The email does not appear to be a valid email address. As a team, they expanded the Whataburger chain and had a family. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. Harmon Dobson - Google Search Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers.
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