August 20, 1989. The History of and Story Behind Whataburger Logo - Money Inc Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. Once it was averted, Harmon began searching for a new path to success. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. And a new building design, which retained the spirit of the original A-frame, was unveiled. Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony with Grace throwing out the first pitch. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. Dobson faced financial challenges. In a short time, Dobson had an impressive business. Whataburger has been highly successful in a very competitive market, says Stephen Barth, a professor of law and leadership at the University of Houstons Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Resend Activation Email. Whataburger - Wikipedia [5][9], "Deep in the Heart: Whataburger's Long History of Success and Brand Identity", "Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harmon_Dobson&oldid=1103833486, This page was last edited on 11 August 2022, at 05:01. The men were killed instantly.12, About two years after Harmon Dobsons death, on July 10, 1969, Grace Dobson, the wife of Harmon Dobson, was officially elected chairwoman of the board with George W. Garrison named as the president. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. I found it very interesting that they are still selling the same tasty burgers they sold in 1950 at their first restaurant in Corpus Christi. Even the grandchildren work at Whataburger and attend company meetings. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. [4] There are no volunteers for this cemetery. By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. This is a carousel with slides. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Ricky Nelson and Six Others Die As Their Plane Crashes in Texas The next year, we awarded more than $90 million in bonuses to our Family Members (what we call our employees) in thanks for their extraordinary service during the pandemic. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. There was an error deleting this problem. Earlier in the year, Harmon had crashed in Dutch Guiana at the northern tip of South America while en route to North Africa. Despite the leadership turmoil, the two companies continued operating under the 1993 agreement for more than twenty years, and tensions seemed to have eased. It was fascinating to see that the burger/fast food chain that Dobson created (along with other people) would end up becoming the most notable food item in Texas. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. If they cant settle their differences, its not clear where theyll be tomorrow. Born:? Shortly after arriving on campus, Harmon was called home to help with a family crisis. Early life [ edit] Harmon Dobson - Wikipedia Es Cuaresma y Whataburger lo sabe: El Whatacatch, est de regreso! The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. They werent in a hurry to expand, and they rarely if ever expanded outside their comfort zone and their target market.. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger But in April of that year, a plane accident cut short Harmon's life, leaving her with three . On August 8, 2000, Whataburger proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 restaurants in operation and millions of fans all over the country. Boasting 6,000 square feet, stunning water views and a life-size bronze likeness of Harmon Dobson, this flagship restaurant is a fitting tribute to an amazing man. 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. It isnt a small business anymore, and to keep ahead of the competition, it may have to start acting its size. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. 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. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. Ive always associated Whataburger with Texas and learning more about an integral part of Texan culture was enjoyable. Verify and try again. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. In 1942, Dobson went to North Africa to do work on pipefitting scrapyard work, and cable rigging for Bell Telephone Company. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. A Douglas C-124C Globemaster II plane, serial 52-1062, was damaged beyond repair in an accident 10 km from Stephenville-Harmon AFB, NL (YJT), Canada. Ford Heights plane crash: Small plane crashes near I-394 and Lincoln Plane hit power line before crash near Edmonton that killed well-known As a team, they expanded the Whataburger chain and had a family. The prosperity lasted until 1967 when Dobson and his friend Gene Crane were killed in a plane crash in La Porte, where they had stopped to refuel. Grace Williamson and her 5-year-old son, Tom, rented a home owned by Dobsons brother Coy. . 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. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. His parents had reason to worry. Amanda's Corpus Christi History: Plane Crash - Blogger In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. Each and every Whataburger is still made to orderwhen it's ordered. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. By The Canadian Press Sat., Sept. 26, 2020 They have also hosted Wow fund-raising events where they combine fun community activities with charitable giving. Whataburger is bigger than all of those, and that may be the point. (Dobson remains as chairman.) Search above to list available cemeteries. Weve updated the security on the site. Whataburgers affairs were more and more being turned over to the professionals, all of whom wanted to participate in what by now had ceased to be a family business and had become simply a large corporate entity, WOA claims in its lawsuit. 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. In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Make sure that the file is a photo. In 1952 Andrews, who lived in Alice, brought his family to eat at the Kingsville branch and was so impressed that he contacted Dobson about buying a franchise. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Harmon Dobson | Military Wiki | Fandom Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. Great job on your article Courtney! This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. I never knew anything about the man who created it and i found it hilarious that he wanted people to say what a burger! So proud & so tired.17. It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. Other franchisees settled their disputes in a separate agreement as part of Whataburgers efforts to repair its strained relations with them. [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. By 1965, it was estimated that Whataburger was selling 15,000 hamburgers a day. Our History: The Whataburger Story In Reeses telling, the states most famous burger joint has become just another greedy corporate entity. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. There was a problem getting your location. Geographical origins In 1969, Grace became chairman of the board. Harmon Dobson - Google Search A few weeks after the funeral, Grace visited Dobson in Corpus Christi, and they had their first date at Whataburger. I think anyone who hasnt tried Whataburger definitely should because it is one of the best fast food places. So proud & so tired.17. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? The meeting between Pierce and the rich soil of the coastal plains of Texas might have been destiny. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Harmon Archibald Dobson I found on Findagrave.com. Following his success, Dobson began dabbling in oil and purchased a small well in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She was very excited about that." Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. Tom Dobson - NNDB 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. Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. Today, Whataburger is a billion-dollar industry, all because of the efforts of Whataburgers saving Grace. based on information from your browser. Harmon Dobson, a "young entrepreneur" who made his start in life shipbuilding, oil drilling and diamond training, was the man behind the burgers. They have jalapeo eating contests, giveaways, and appearances from the company mascot, Whataguy. [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. It was interesting to me reading about the founder of this fast food chain Whtaburger, and all the dedication he put towards his work, I think is very tragic and unfortunate the way Dobson died, he would have accomplished much more succeses during his life time. "It was a friendship that grew and grew," Sheka said. It was very smart of Dobson to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers so that his business to boom even more. Tom Harmon is Missing | University of Michigan Heritage Project The price of burgers was raised to 30 cents, and to Burtons chagrin, customers did not mind. Failed to remove flower. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. He felt like the burgers at Dairy King were too small and wanted to build a really big burger, calling it the Whataburger. It was an instant success, and Harmon began to expand the business to other markets. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-124C Globemaster II 52-1062 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. As one of the largest franchisees, WOA was hit particularly hard by this arrangement. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. In June 1950, Dobson was granted the Whataburger name trademark. 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. 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. Please reset your password. Oops, we were unable to send the email. No major injuries were reported when a Boston-bound plane carrying more than 20 people struck a fence and erupted in flames while taking off at Houston Executive Airport on Tuesday morning,. Leave them blank to get signed up. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. Born: October 8, 1913, Wayne, OK. Died: 1967, La Porte, TX. 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. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. 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. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Months later, Harmon raised the prices for burgers to 35 cents. 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. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. 1967 Press Photo Plane Crash Kill Harmon Dobson & Luther Sneed Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. Police found two dead people inside the. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at. Otherwise, it wouldnt approve any new sites for WOA. Angel crashed fifteen times before meeting his demise, but it only took Dobson four wrecks to wake up and realize the diamond business might prove fatal. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Dobson wrote about this difficulty in his journal: Late May, 1950- Landed back in Midland April 21 to find that Henry Mode, my oil partner, had begun drinking again. Unfortunately, Coy was protective of Grace and had warned her about dating his unsettled, gallivanting brother. Numbers went from 600 to 950 burgers per day.10, August 4, 1951- Proud to be the beginning of what may be a lifelong business. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Also on board and killed was soul singer Otis Redding . The main reason for the move was for oil. Everyone expected Grace, now twice widowed, to crumble, and they encouraged her to sell Whataburger. Its not surprising that people might want a bigger piece of that pie.. 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. 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. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. Harmons parents, Hugh and Ethel, raised cattle and fed the family fresh beef, milk, and home-grown vegetables. 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. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. Andrews surrendered exclusivity to the San Antonio market and agreed to sell the existing San Antonio stores back to Whataburger. The. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. 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. We still greet our customers with a smile 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In 2001, the Whataburger Family Foundation officially began, though the charitable efforts had been ongoing since day one. She is survived by two sons, Thomas and Hugh Dobson; a daughter, Lynne Dobson; three sisters, Lola Stettler, Louise Abbot and Jean Florie; and five grandchildren. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. Try again later. He was able to please his customers with a five-inch burger by making special arrangements with the Rainbo Bread Company to develop five-inch buns, which were an inch larger than the standard bun. All three work hard to ensure that Whataburger never strays from their fathers original concept, which was to serve hungry people great food in a clean and friendly environment. In 1952, Dobson opened a location in Kingsville, Texas, this was the first store located outside of Corpus Christi. GREAT NEWS! She also gave copious amounts of her time and money back to Corpus Christi and the state. Tom Dobson. Harmon Archibald Dobson [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. The main reason for the move was for oil. At age 16, Dobson was accepted into the University of Missouri to study journalism, but was forced to return to his family farm soon after attending due to a family crisis at home due to the Great Depression. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Two summers ago, with the South Texas sun beating down, a group of civic leaders gathered in front of the Whataburger on Main Street in Alice to unveil a bust of the late Joe Andrews Sr. When I think of Whataburger, I immediately think of Texas and burgers. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. By 1960, Whataburger stores had expanded and were operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Lawrence Jagmin, of . In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. Wikipedia. Two years later, three Corpus Christi locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much to the delight of hungry patrons. Police say the Harmon Rocket a two-seat sport plane caught fire after the crash, and both a man and a woman were found deceased inside the aircraft. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. This time, however, it indicated that it wasnt inclined to do so. When he opened the first stand, on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, he envisioned selling a burger big enough that it would take two hands to hold it. These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. . In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. They are memories Sheka said he will treasure. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. 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. A Montana family is mourning the loss of their husband, father and grandfather this week after the 50-year-old man crashed in an airplane in Summit County while flying solo along a route he knew well. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. I have heard that Whataburger is from Texas but I was never completely sure. It is crazy that he died in a plane crash. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. Having lived in Texas for the 18 years of my life, I found it really interesting to finally know the full history of Whataburger. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. 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.. The '70s was a decade of Whataburger milestones. ), 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. Decades-old military plane wreckage found in Alaska glacier, may give By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000. Read more: 2 dead after small plane crashes near Thorsby: Alberta . Learning about Dobsons history was interesting as well, I didnt know that he had originally started out attempting to capitalize on the oil industry. I have so much fun talking to the young employees about the early Whataburger. I'm going to miss her, too." After World War II ended in 1945, Dobson returned home to his home state of Arkansas, where he worked buying and selling used cars. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants.

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