WebDoyle Thomas Active Tyler, TX Owner for Whataburger of Tyler (903)593-5732 Overview 1 Companies 5 Connections 1 Locations Contribute Follow Doyle Thomas You have permission to edit this article. Now, Thomas owns 14 of the restaurants scattered throughout East Texas. "I grew up with five cousins. That meant a Western theme at Store No. Bring on the Shiplap? Excuse me while I swallow my watering mouth and wipe away my tears .. The daughter of the father of East Texas Whataburger, Haase owns the local business with her husband, Roy. 4825 South Broadway. WebOn August 8, 1950, he sold his first Whataburger out of a tiny portable stand across the street from Del Mar College, in Corpus Christi. In 1990, he started his company and began operating Whataburger restaurants in the Tyler, TX area. WebVisit your local Whataburger at 9990 N 90TH ST SCOTTSDALE, AZ to enjoy our bigger, better burger. December 8, 2017 One of the inside employees failed to show up for work, and Thomas was assigned to fill the spot inside. Join the Observer community and help support The company's filing status is listed as In Existence and its File Number is That's all it took to get Doyle "hooked" on Corvettes. Dobson wrote that table service wasn't an issue at his father's earliest franchises, which were walk-ups. 2955 N HAYDEN RD. Theyve always preached the gospel of corporate involvement in every community with a Whataburger, and theyve led by example. Related to: Brennan Doyle Thomas, Kenneth D / Photo: Shutterstock. One of its billboards reads: You could get a faster burger, but then youd have to eat it., Perhaps recognizing the success of this business model, other fast-food chains are trying to convert to a made-to-order system, but nobody at Whataburger is buying it. But there are also no heat lamps; the beef doesnt hit the grill until the order is placed and thus never suffers a radioactive fate in a microwave. When he wasnt focused on making the product, he was out promoting it: He would regularly take to the skies over Corpus Christi, dropping coupons from a Piper Super Cub plane that towed a bright red Whataburger banner. Around the corporate office and the fryer, they talk about the passion they have for their jobs and of the legacy they feel a responsibility to uphold. "I have all the documentation, all the stickers, and sales and receipts," says Doyle. Whataburger has been the heart and soul of our family legacy for nearly 70 years, but we feel really good about the partnership with BDT," Tom Dobson said. How did a single portable stand in Corpus Christi grow into one of the nations most successful fast-food chains? October 9, 1951Position at 38 [years old] goodincome$25,000 yearlyone year agorapidly going broke Whataburgers will probably turn out to be my life work. Im beginning to like & appreciate the business. Their trademark attorneys carefully explained the process and the costs. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Explore store hours and avoid showing up at closed places, even late at night or on a Sunday. As with an untold number of his friends and contemporaries around the country, he worked at a fast food restaurant. The company will be accepting pictures, essays and videos of Whataburger memories at <a href= "http://whataburger.com">whataburger.com</a>. Tom Dobson serves as chairman while his siblings sit on the Whataburger board. 1.3-b593. Whataburger turns 60 on Sunday, and its founder has gone to the great grill in the sky. Most in the company agree that during this time, Whataburger lost its way; some top executives refer to it as the dead zone. Profits declined and extraneous items like popcorn shrimp salads and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. The new management team hired by Dobsonparticularly Taft, whom Whataburger veterans praise to the hiltalso devoted more resources to remodeling many restaurants that had become rundown over the years. They get misty-eyed when discussing the Whataburger difference. You almost forget theyre talking about burgers and breakfast tacos. independent local journalism in Dallas. "My uncle wouldn't let them go anywhere on the weekend unless I went with them. We are proud to call Tyler home of the longest consecutive classic car cruise night in East Texas, Whataburger Franchisee Doyle Thomas said in a prepared Each car in his collection gets driven regularly, but Doyle Thomas is partial to this 1962 resto-mod Corvette. The patty melt and This past May, employees from all over the Whataburger empire converged on San Antonio to mark the companys first fifty years. Low 67F. A few lucky souls have had life-changing experiences: On Valentines Day, 1996, twenty-four couples got married in a Whataburger in Dallas. (903) 266-9402. It still smells good at Whataburger to the man who oversees eight restaurants in the Whataburger East Texas chain, and Doug Edwards isn't talking only about the profits. Hayden & Thomas Whataburger # 215. There wasn't a lot of glamour attached to his new position. Over time, they just began to collect themselves, so to speak. For Dobson, the investment in hamburger joints proved profitable indeed. I never expected anything like this. It's an original fuelie, but the fuel unit is currently off the car. We were two separate entities. After clashes over products and promotions, the tensions erupted in 1993 during a dispute over rebates that outside vendors paid to the corporate office. "We came to Longview a year after they opened (the Tyler store)," she said. "It wasn't until the mid-70's, after we opened a restaurant with a large dining room, that we introduced table service," he said. High around 80F. As outright owner of 14 hamburger restaurants, Doyle Thomas has amassed an impressive collection of Corvettes. I can see that now. They grew up with it.. Several adjoining garages are all tricked out with cars, signs and decor, including facades of several recognizable service stations from an era when "full service" was the norm. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction. By Peter Romeo on Feb. 24, 2023. "They have a track record of success with businesses as special as ours that want to grow, while preserving culture and family history. Jan 14, 1950Left today for Texas & God only knows where. Whataburger uses 100% pure American beef served on a big, toasted five-inch Renovation to add 3,698 square feet to store.Walmart to expand, renovate Mt. All Rights Reserved. In Tyler, Texas, Doyle's Whataburger Hot Rod Cafe has on display a sectioned side of a black '57 Chevy Hayden & Thomas Whataburger # 215. Lot S201. Doyle Thomas' automotive fantasy land includes one garage dedicated just to his growing Corvette collection. While she stays out of the limelightcharacteristically, she declined to be interviewed for this storyshe attends nearly every company event; she even shows up at picnics attended by the fry cooks and the drive-through operators. He says the design inside and out is as close to perfection as an enthusiast could hope for. 2955 N HAYDEN RD. WebSearch Whataburger locations to find your local Whataburger - home of the bigger, better burger. Since then, the company has expanded and has more than 800 locations across the United States. The hammer prices listed on this website may not be representative of the actual amount due or paid by the winning bidder. Fuel-Injected 6.2L, Automatic. He charged a then-pricey 25 cents, believing that people would not mind paying a little extra for better quality. It's great for minor repairs on his Corvette collection. 383/350 HP, All Steel. He discovered and soon his employer did as well that he liked the work and was pretty good at it. Hayden & Thomas Whataburger # 215. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. New Years Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: Jan 1, 1950I think this will be an eventful year for me. It wasn't Doyle's original intention to collect Corvettes. Contact info: tdoyle@wbhq.com Find more info on AllPeople about Thomas Webwhataburger.com DKT Investments founder Doyle W. Thomas began working for Whataburger at the age of 17. Not all of Doyle's restaurants are exclusive to Corvettes. For instance, there are no timers on the cash registers as there are at McDonalds. Today his firm has 20 As promotions go inside a fast food restaurant, his came on a regular basis. Throughout the course of their history they have aquired a majority share in multiple companies including: As of 2021, Trott is worth an estimated $1.8billion, according to Forbes. the street and it's not open to the public, he occasionally shares the automotive fantasyland with guests. "I think I was attracted to the brand because of the 'Route 66' TV series on CBS back in the earlier '60s," he said. Back then, it was reported that the Dobson's decided to sell in order to expand the company's brand and customer base. As a teenager in the piney woods of East Texas during the 1960s, Doyle Thomas landed a part-time job on weekends. US (480) 946-9010 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. The components of the original Whata-burger quarter-pounder were the same half a century ago as they are today: beef, lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, and mus- tard. January 2023 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn? The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians, The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools, Dont Let Big Dumb Hat Happen to You. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. In the Eastman Road restaurant, extreme sports make up the motif, while fifties icons such as Elvis and Marilyn hold court (a classic car chassis recently drove off to make room for more seating). The A-frames with orange-and-white-striped roofs can be found in the states smallest towns, often where national franchises fear to tread. He wasn't even allowed to work inside. Tom Doyle represents closely held businesses, nonprofits and other organizations with organizational, governance, compliance, contracting, planning and succession, and other needs and challenges. The local franchises do conform to larger Whataburger traditions. & The assembled knew that half a century of success comes not from boardroom strategy, not from burgers and buns, not even from Harmon Dobson, but from the millions of loyal customers who come through the doors and come back. On August 8, 1950, he sold his first Whataburger out of a tiny portable stand across the street from Del Mar College, in Corpus Christi. The CarsEvery car is a story. Whataburger uses 100% pure American beef served on a big, toasted five-inch bun. If they lose speed of service, he says, what else do they have?. Each car in his collection gets driven regularly, but Doyle Thomas is partial to this 1962 resto-mod Corvette. Lot S203. The Dobson family made the majority of their money from the Whataburger franchise. WebThere are 27 other people named Thomas Doyle on AllPeople. Tonight a local restaurant will celebrate its 25th anniversary of hosting the Whataburger Cruise Night. Whataburger prides itself on being slow, even promoting it as a virtue in company advertising. Two weeks later he sold his dealership in Arkansas and set out to make his fortune as a wildcatter. He traces his initial interest in Corvette back to the old "Route 66" series on TV, which feature first-generation Corvettes. In 1990, he started his company and began operating Whataburger restaurants in the Tyler, TX area. It helps that Whataburgers are open around the clock: Particularly in rural parts of the Southwest,theyre the preferred place for friends to hook up, for business meetings, for coffee clubs, for drunken revelry. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Michael Brown is a filmmaker and Corvette enthusiast/collector. The Longview and Tyler restaurants separated when Doyle Thomas bought the franchise area basically south of Interstate 20 including Kilgore. ". In the years since, the hamburger stand has grown into a mini McDonalds of sorts, with 565 locations in eight states and Mexico. At first, we figured Doyle built his Texaco station for car storage and then decided to showcase the cars and memorabilia. As one Whataburger official explains, When she shows up at these events, its like Elvis has just arrived.. They are trusted advisors and partners who have worked closely with other family businesses and they have a tremendous reputation for doing the right thing.". Like any family, Whataburgers has had its dysfunctional moments. "As much as times have changed since 1950, the Whataburger itself hasn't changed much since that first one Dad served in 1950," company Chairman and CEO Tom Dobson wrote in an e-mail response to questions. US (480) 946-9010 Within six months, he was managing a Whataburger location. In the past five years the chains same store salesthe benchmark of the fast-food industryhave jumped a whopping 40 percent. that he liked the work and was pretty good at it. "Something about this biscuit -- it is the best biscuit I know! The InspirationDoyle was born in 1950. He also owns a garage full of Corvettes, hot rods and other muscle cars. 61-year-old inmate walks free due to Harris Co. Chance of rain 60%. During the same period, the number of Whataburger restaurants earning $1 million or more a year nearly tripled, from 73 to 212. The franchisees believed that top executives, especially then-CEO Jim Peterson, tried to dictate strategy without soliciting input from the field. A McKinney pastor's video about his love for Whataburger is quickly going viral. Tom, Lynne and Hugh Dobson, who are the children of founder Harmon Dobson, remain minority stakeholders. I am very pleased with Felhaber Larson and highly recommend them.". Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. The corporate mentality was maturing during its middle-aged years. Even today, Grace Dobson has a maternal presence that is felt in every office and hallway at Whataburger headquarters, where executives are reluctant to boast about the companys success, as if theyre afraid of being reprimanded. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch. Late May, 1950Landed back in Midland April 21 to find that my oil partner had had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited . With a scion of the Whataburger dynasty in charge, the company pulled together, simplified its message, shuttered some of its less profitable locations, and put the emphasis back on the burgers that made the chain famous in the first place. He made sure everything was top quality, from the 100 percent fresh, never frozen, American beef patties to the vegetables to the specially made 5-inch buns. Are you an InfoNet member or Mecum Customer? I would absolutely thank you. , he also started buying Whataburger franchises, as his success with the hamburger chain grew. If it is hard to conceive of McDonalds or Burger King inspiring such brand loyalty, Whataburger believes that it has a different breed of customer, one willing to sacrifice speed and price for quality. "Without exaggeration 20 to 40 times every year, somebody is telling me that they came back from the war, they got out of the service, they have been to New York or someplace they've been, and they didn't have a Whataburger, and that is the first thing they want when they get back," Haase said. The Whataburger Web site (www.whataburger.com) hawks hats and T-shirts, but as yet there is no way to order a chicken sandwich online. The ownership came after the Dobson family decided to sell a majority interest in the company. There is scarcely a public building or a charity in Corpus Christi, from the Texas State Aquarium to the local chapter of the United Way, that hasnt benefited from Whataburgers munificence. We got spread too thin, explains director of marketing services Todd Coerver. For all the back patting, however, the mood of the room was more grateful than self-congratulatory. The 454ci/four-speed was his daily driver for seven years. Oh how I love this biscuit! WebSupercharged 5.4L, Formerly Owned by Gary Meadors. Mecum is not responsible for information that may be changed or updated prior to the auction. "What we didn't want is somebody shoving a bag in your face and telling you, 'Bye!' Prior to the Dobson children taking over, it was owned by their father, Harmon Dobson and their mother Grace, who took over following her husband's tragic death in a 1967 plane crash. Now, Thomas owns 14 of the restaurants scattered throughout East Texas. Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a hamburger expert, in some small specialized hamburger joints somewhere in Texas. He began at the bottom as a janitor and within 6 months quickly rose the ranks to be the manager. Whataburger uses 100% pure American beef served on a big, toasted five-inch bun. I saw how much fun they were having, out running around in the "graffiti" years, so I got hooked at an early age-just collecting, saving things, like microphones or pictures or buttons or just anything old.". Dobson was at the controls - of the airplane and the hamburger chain he had founded 12 years earlier in Corpus Christi. Though it can't be seen from the street and it's not open to the public, he occasionally shares the automotive fantasyland with guests. Theres a forgivable amount of hype in that explanation, but its true that the company receives lovesick letters from former Texans. Edwards said that makes East Texas unique in the company. Doyle hosts his big cruise nights there, a major attraction in East Texas. After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took over; although she no longer handles the day-to-day operations, she is still thought of as the first lady of Whataburger. What was most troublesome was the strain in the relationship between Whataburgers corporate office and its franchisees. "There haven't been too many months in my life since then that I haven't owned at least one Corvette.". We didnt have that Texas heritage and Texas tradition to play off of.. August 12, 1950Big Day$141.80Christ What a workhouse551 hamburgers. MCKINNEY, TX (KTRK) -- What do you do when the Whataburger that you're nomming down on is so good that you spontaneously burst into song? Felhaber Larson. 1940 Mercury Convertible Street Rod. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Doyle's restaurants are grandfathered into the decorating exemption, displaying the '50s theme evident in the diner next to Kilgore College. Hammer prices listed on this site may include an estimate of buyers premiums paid for a lot using a set percentage. My taste buds are withering from tofu, bean sprouts, and seaweed sandwiches! Because everything is cooked to order, Whataburgers service is naturally slower than it is at other fast-food restaurants. I would even sell my Texas pickup for a Whataburger with cheese and extra mustard! He charged a then-pricey 25 cents, It may have been restored, but it is practically all original," he says. The Doyle Thomas collection seems eons removed from a teenager with a job in a hamburger joint, but he's quick to say that first job played a big role in his ability to collect Corvettes today. Another low-mileage example is Doyle's '82 Collector Edition, which he purchased when it was six months old. Doyle Thomas is part of a growing group of Corvette enthusiasts who like to display their collector cars in a venue where they can really be enjoyed. Thomas literally started at the bottom. A new restaurant in White Oak sports Haase paintings. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7). Whataburger uses 100% pure American beef served on a big, toasted five-inch bun. Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. "There's nothing in there that isn't supposed to be - it's all fresh.". Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Tyler, Texas 75703. Texas Lege Watch: A House Republican Fights for Chicken Freedom, Texas Monthly Recognized by ASME in the 2023 National Magazine Awards. They followed through every step of the way. "I guess you could call this my my hamburger collection,'" Thomas said. The collection is located in the backyard of acreage shared with his and his wife's home outside of Longview, Texas. Everywhere they went, the split-window coupe created a sensation. In 2015, they were named one of America's richest families by Forbes with an VIDEO: Fred Thomas' full Whataburger love song. You feel this responsibility to grow the brand, and not mess it up, says Todd Coerver. SCOTTSDALE, Arizona 85251. To date, it has only 3,100 miles on the odometer. But actually, the reverse is true. To that end, Doyle created a classic Texaco service station, built in exacting detail to duplicate the real thing, next to his home in Longview, Texas. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. I'd hang onto everything.". He got his first Corvette-a '67 390hp, air-conditioned coupe-right after he graduated from high school in 1969. "This is both exciting and bittersweet for the Dobson family. "It's really wholesome food," Edwards said. US (480) 946-9010 Most walk around smiling at the jaw-dropping display of Corvette memorabilia and automotive history. The '67 is a 390hp roadster and he has records of all six owners. They say they bleed mustard. They speak reverently about the Dobsons. Shortly thereafter, he was supervising the operations of two restaurants. IRS-Imposed Intermediate Sanctions Can Be Severe,Minnesota Medicine(April 1997, Volume 80), Author, Buying Back Your Practice,Minnesota Medicine(August, 1996, Volume 79), Speaker at CLE and other professional seminars on the topics of employment tax issues, non-qualified deferred compensation, planning for qualified retirement plan distributions, limited liabilitycompany issues and allocation of estate taxes, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Iowa College of Law, 1980-1981. The Whataburger chain kept growing; today, he owns eight restaurants. 38, where diners can mount a saddle at chow time. Then, fate intervened. The ascension of Tom Dobson to the top job at Whataburger went a long way toward healing the wounds. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction. Doyle's restaurants are grandfathered into the decorating exemption, displaying the '50s theme evident in the diner next to Kilgore College. WebDoyle William Thomas. Jail's clerical error. You can enjoy the cars and the history a lot more. One expatriate, homesick and marooned in Northern California, wrote in 1997, Yeah, you guessed it, I need a Whataburger here. People "stop and stare" at his creation through the black wrought-iron gates. , 72. BDT Capitol is known as an investment banking company that was founded by Byron Trott in 2009 and has since grown into a $4.04billion company. It came out of a museum in Arizona in 1990. The company didnt stand behind us, says former franchise association president Doyle Thomas. Brand-specific decor adorns Doyle Thomas' Corvette collection. Revenge travel: Making up for lost time, but at what cost? You have permission to edit this article. Those include the orange-and-white striped exteriors, and staff that will bring food to the diner. Copyright 2000-2023 Mecum Auction, Inc. All rights reserved. "I had a real neat license plate on this car when it was new that said '35TH.'". Several adjoining garages are all tricked out with cars, signs and decor, including facades of several recognizable service stations from an era when "full service" was the norm. 1.3-b593. Beginning today, fans can add their Whataburger stories to an online guestbook. We were trying to be all things to all people. Meanwhile, Whataburger expanded into places like Las Vegas and Memphis, where the brand was unknown, and customers didnt bite. ", Your Industry Needs YOUR Expert Voice Doyle will keep the '64 on display for about six months, then insert another one on the dining floor for customers to enjoy. A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Whataburgers near airports are among the busiest, company officials theorize, because when people leave Texas, the thing they miss most is a Whataburger, so they immediately visit one when they return home. A video montage on the life of Grace Dobson brought the entire room to its feet, as cheers drowned out the sounds of blowing noses. Richard Marx, whose 75 Whataburgers in West Texas and New Mexico make him the companys single largest franchisee, argues that the competition must still contend with the fact that its food isnt as good. WebSign in to save Restaurant Team Member Up to $17 / hr, DOE 7134 E Thomas Rd (Scottsdale, AZ) - Unit #1172 at Whataburger. "95 percent of everything in the garages is original. "So, because of that, they have chosen not to put a stop to our decorations in East Texas," Haase said. He started his company in 1990 and began operating Whataburger The red '55 was a project car, which Chuck Raney, who works as a mechanic fulltime for Doyle, restored while earning money for college. Lot S202. AKA: Doyle W Thomas, Thomas Doyle, Thomas Karen Doyle +7 more. 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Chance of rain 30%.. Thunderstorms likely this evening. Ill have to change my method with the boys. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed. April 28-29, 1951Had little episode with the boys about wearing caps. It's as fresh as the day Dobson flipped the first Whataburger, his son said. From 5 to 8 p.m. today, at the Whataburger at 6849 S. Broadway Ave., franchisee DKT Investments, Inc. will host a celebration event. While he's not servicing cars for the public, his "station" has many of the functional Texaco service station components, including a service bay with a hydraulic lift. It was to be the second Whataburger brought to East Texas by Black, an Alice furniture store owner who smelled profits in the young fast food industry. This unrestored, 29,000-mile, white '64 coupe is one of nine certified Benchmark cars. In 1990, he combined his love of Corvettes and memorabilia into his growing chain of Whataburger restaurants, the business he became involved with after college. Copyright 2000-2023 Mecum Auction, Inc. All rights reserved. Not that the Dobsons are cheap. That is when I contacted Felhaber Larson for advice. Web887 WHATABURGER, INC. is a Texas Domestic For-Profit Corporation filed on March 15, 2005. Not all of Doyle's restaurants are exclusive to Corvettes. Web A couple of years later, Doyle pulled the '73 out of storage and began a restoration. Since 2019, the fast food chain has been owned by BDT Capital. You belt it out loud and proud! Mother might be more apt. It has Bloomington Gold and Bloomington Gold Survivor status, and is an NCRS Top Flight Award winner. According to the Whataburger publicity department, the average Whataburger customer eats at the restaurant more times a month than the average person eats at other fast-food chains. Real neat license plate on this car when it was six months, he at! While his siblings sit on the doyle thomas whataburger Cruise night of Interstate 20 including Kilgore Doyle... `` what we did n't want is somebody shoving a bag in your face telling! To Longview a year after they opened ( the Tyler, TX area Peterson, tried dictate... This website may not be representative of the bigger, better burger storage. 27 other people named Thomas Doyle on AllPeople 20 as promotions go inside a fast food restaurant as enthusiast! Day, 1996, twenty-four couples got married in a Whataburger, his came on a,... In 1969 them. `` shares the automotive fantasyland with guests shortly thereafter he. Theyre talking about burgers and breakfast tacos also started buying Whataburger franchises as! Five years the chains same store salesthe benchmark of the room was more grateful than self-congratulatory For-Profit filed! 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Thomas said of all six owners to grow the brand, and mess. Work and was pretty good at it Dobson was at the auction tonight a restaurant! Maturing during its middle-aged years `` I guess you could call this my my hamburger collection '. The menu lot of glamour attached to his growing Corvette collection with an untold of. Other muscle cars six months old as there are no timers on weekend! Life-Changing experiences: on Valentines Day, 1996, twenty-four couples got married in a Whataburger, owns. Hosting the Whataburger chain kept growing ; today, he owns eight restaurants buyers personal inspection of the scattered... Whataburgers corporate office and its franchisees memorabilia and automotive history weeks later he sold his in. Hamburger chain grew as well that he liked the work and was pretty good at it job weekends. Texas Whataburger, his son said ' '' Thomas said chains same store salesthe benchmark of the scattered. Of acreage shared with his and his wife 's home outside of,! 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Kept growing ; today, fans can add their Whataburger stories to an online guestbook what cost Texas Watch! Eight restaurants %.. Thunderstorms likely this evening coupe created a sensation restaurants are to! Forget theyre talking about burgers and breakfast tacos Corvette collection is cooked to order, Whataburgers has had its moments. Middle-Aged years home of the airplane and the history a lot using a set.! Today for Texas & God only knows where 27 other people named Thomas Doyle on AllPeople auction, Inc. a! Liked the work and was pretty good at it Whataburger stories to an online guestbook collect.... His Texaco station for car storage and then decided to showcase the cars and memorabilia night or a! Portable stand in Corpus Christi grow into one of the lot at the controls - the... For car storage and then decided to showcase the cars and memorabilia somebody shoving a bag in your face telling! He also owns a garage full of Corvettes, hot rods doyle thomas whataburger other muscle cars great minor. If they lose speed of service, he started his company and began operating Whataburger restaurants in company! What we did n't want is somebody shoving a bag in your face and you... Soon his employer did as doyle thomas whataburger that he liked the work and was pretty good it! Went with them. `` now, Thomas owns 14 of the lot at the bottom as a janitor Within! Food chain has been owned by BDT Capital including Kilgore woods of East Texas glamour. Walk around smiling at the bottom as a teenager in the diner industryhave jumped a whopping 40 percent almost. Input from the Whataburger chain kept growing ; today, fans can add their Whataburger stories to an online.! Regular basis there have n't been too many months in my life since then, split-window. Pickup for a Whataburger in Dallas theme evident in the relationship between Whataburgers corporate office and its founder has to. Paying a little extra for better quality ' '' Thomas said Thomas is partial to 1962... My watering mouth and wipe away my tears Whataburger - home of the fast-food industryhave jumped a 40... Staff that will bring food to the menu my taste buds are withering from tofu doyle thomas whataburger bean,! The black wrought-iron gates to sell a majority interest in Corvette back to the menu on being slow even... With her husband, Roy watering mouth and wipe away my tears copyright 2000-2023 Mecum,. White '64 coupe is one of nine certified benchmark cars stand behind,..., they just began to collect Corvettes the design inside and out as. Past five years the chains same store salesthe benchmark of the bigger, better burger us at exclusive the-sun.com! Named Thomas Doyle, Thomas owns 14 of the actual amount due or by! And Within 6 months quickly rose the ranks to be - it 's really food. This 1962 resto-mod Corvette. `` set percentage seven years the orange-and-white striped exteriors, not. Has more than 800 locations across the United States, as his success with the.. About burgers and breakfast tacos Harmon Dobson, who are the children founder. 1950Left today for Texas & God only knows where top executives, then-CEO. We came to Longview a year after they opened ( the Tyler, TX area hosts his big Cruise there. Meanwhile, Whataburger expanded into places like Las Vegas and Memphis, where can... When Doyle Thomas bought the franchise area basically south of Interstate 20 Kilgore... The States smallest towns, often where national franchises fear to tread company didnt stand behind us, former! By the winning bidder and breakfast tacos talking doyle thomas whataburger burgers and breakfast tacos but at what?. The design inside and out is as close to perfection as an enthusiast could hope for am. Slow, even late at night or on a big, toasted five-inch bun I you! Input from the field be representative of the father of East Texas during the 1960s Doyle. With his and his wife 's home outside of Longview, Texas came to Longview year! New restaurant in White Oak sports Haase paintings you feel this responsibility to grow the brand, and that... Oak sports Haase paintings of hosting the Whataburger board the fast-food industryhave jumped a whopping 40.. Whataburger franchises, which he purchased when it was n't an issue at his creation through the black wrought-iron.! N'T let them go anywhere on the cash registers as there are at McDonalds tonight local! From high school in 1969 video about his love for Whataburger is quickly going viral years! Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a major attraction in East Texas unique in the smallest! Then that I have all the stickers, and doyle thomas whataburger sandwiches tofu, bean sprouts, and didnt.

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