News & Events

What a Headquarters!

March 31, 2009

By Creighton A. Welch - Express-News

Whataburger announced Monday that it has purchased the Tesoro Corp. headquarters at U.S. 281 and Jones Maltsberger Road for its corporate offices when it relocates from Corpus Christi to San Antonio. Tesoro will vacate the space this summer to move into a larger office at Ridgewood Park near U.S. 281 and Redland Road. Whataburger employees will move in late June.

The iconic burger chain, with more than 700 restaurants in 10 states, announced in November that it was moving to San Antonio.

“When we went into the building, we really liked the feel of it,” Whataburger spokeswoman Pam Cox said. “We're a humble company, and we didn't want anything too flashy.”

Whataburger would not disclose the sale price, but the Tesoro property was valued at $14 million in 2008, according to Bexar County land records.

Whataburger's new 140,000-square-foot building will be more than enough space for the 250 employees who will work there.

“This move helps provide long-term stability for our company and accommodates our plans for growth,” Preston Atkinson, president and COO of Whataburger, said in a release.

The effect of the purchase may be felt beyond the Whataburger Company.

“Not only will it backfill a large block of vacancy left behind when Tesoro moves into its new headquarters at Ridgewood Park, but it also serves as a psychological boost reminding us that San Antonio continues to attract companies and see growth even in these challenging economic times,” said Kim Gatley, senior vice president and director of research with NAI REOC Partners, a San Antonio real estate company.

About 60 percent of the 250 employees will move from Corpus Christi, and the rest will be hired locally.

“Everyone who wanted to come had the opportunity to relocate,” Cox said.

Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger restaurant in 1950 in Corpus Christi, where he sold burgers for a quarter. The headquarters has been there ever since.

Whataburger passed $1 billion in annual sales for the first time in 2007 and looks to continue growing in its current markets. The move, which the company had been discussing for two years, is aimed at helping the corporate office grow and be more accessible to its restaurants.

“Moving out of that city was really difficult,” Cox said. “We needed to set ourselves up to best support our restaurants.”

Tom Dobson, Harmon's son, is the current CEO of Whataburger.

“We have always known that San Antonio offers much to corporations that choose to locate and do business here,” Mayor Phil Hardberger said in a statement. “The good news of Whataburger moving its home office to San Antonio affirms that, and we are very pleased to welcome the Dobson family and their great company to our community.”