Texas burger chain opens in Anderson County, customers win free meals

More than 100 people lined up when Whataburger opened its fourth Upstate location Monday at 2900 N. Main St. in Anderson.

The new location will also be open 24/7, providing guests with round-the-clock access to food and beverage options.

Three months ago, Whataburger held a grand opening event and the long-awaited opening has finally happened. The new location is expected to create many jobs and provide residents and visitors with another dining option.

Preston Hughes, Whataburger’s operations manager, estimates the restaurant “will create more than 750 new jobs in the greater Upstate region this year.”

A ceremonial ribbon cutting and a line of customers during Whataburger’s opening day in Anderson, SC on Monday, August 26, 2024. Whataburger in Anderson opened its fourth South Carolina location and said it will be open 24/7 through Christmas Eve.

“We have already hired exceptional leaders who are ready to deliver extraordinary hospitality around the clock,” he said. Whataburger has already started hiring team leaders and staff members.

Interested individuals can obtain more information on job descriptions, benefits and salaries by clicking here: https://whataburger.com/careers.

Welcoming Whataburger

Ruth Lanier, 75, of Anderson County, was hired as a hostess at Whataburger.

“I wasn’t hired, but I signed up to work as a hostess,” she said.

If you visit the Whataburger restaurant on North Main Street, you will see Ms. Ruth greeting customers with a warm smile.

Head Coach Reggie Evers led the team in a cheer to start the day. The energy in the building was filled with echoes and cheers as fans lined up early and were eager to be among the first to experience the county’s newest addition.

Training manager Reggie Evers leads a cheer minutes before customers enter during Whataburger's opening day in Anderson, SC, on Monday, August 26, 2024.

Training manager Reggie Evers leads a cheer minutes before customers enter during Whataburger’s opening day in Anderson, SC, on Monday, August 26, 2024.

The grand opening was also marked by special promotions and giveaways to celebrate the occasion.

Whataburger for a year

Randall McNeill of Belton was the first to buy a Whataburger this morning.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” he said. “I heard about the specials and I was driving by around 11 a.m. yesterday. I figured if there was no one in line, I’d stop. There was no one, so I stopped. Twenty-four hours later, here we are.”

McNeill was accompanied by his wife, who was hanging out in the car, and his friend James Maloney of Six Mile, who decided to come along to keep Lozano company. “I’m excited, you know, it’s going to be fun,” Lozano said. “A hamburger a week for a year or 52 at a time.”

Randall McNeill of Belton, first in line, orders food during Whataburger's opening day in Anderson, SC, on Monday, August 26, 2024. Whataburger in Anderson opened its fourth location in South Carolina and said it would be open 24/7 through Christmas Eve.

Randall McNeill of Belton, first in line, orders food during Whataburger’s opening day in Anderson, SC, on Monday, August 26, 2024. Whataburger in Anderson opened its fourth location in South Carolina and said it would be open 24/7 through Christmas Eve.

The restaurant also offered the first four customers who dined in or ordered from the drive-through a free Whataburger for a year and gave away 300 gift bags filled with Whataburger products.

Joelton Ruyl, of Belton, was first in line at the drive-through.

“I slept all night in my car,” he said. “I got there around 11 p.m. It was a pretty rough night, I had trouble falling asleep and I woke up with sunburn, but I’m happy to have my free Whataburger for a year.”

Joelton Ruyl of Belton, first in line, slept overnight in his car waiting in line for a year's worth of burgers on Whataburger's opening day in Anderson, SC, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Texas-based Whataburger opened its fourth location in South Carolina and said it would be open 24/7 through Christmas Eve. "I grew up in Texas," he said.

What’s on the Whataburger menu?

The Whataburger menu offers a variety of options, such as chicken sandwiches, breakfast items, salads, boneless wings and milkshakes.

If you’re looking for the building, you’ll know that it’s the restaurant with the famous orange and white striped W logo, which stands for Whataburger.

“Bringing Whataburger to South Carolina is a dream come true for me,” Ed Nelson, President and CEO of Whataburger “As a native of our state, I always knew that our state’s rich culture and warm hospitality would be a perfect fit with Whataburger’s tradition of bold flavors and extraordinary service.”

MaMera Allen finishes the first burger of opening day during Whataburger's opening day in Anderson, SC on Monday, August 26, 2024. Whataburger in Anderson has opened its fourth South Carolina location and said it will be open 24/7 through Christmas Eve.

MaMera Allen finishes the first burger of opening day during Whataburger’s opening day in Anderson, SC on Monday, August 26, 2024. Whataburger in Anderson has opened its fourth South Carolina location and said it will be open 24/7 through Christmas Eve.

Whataburger opens in upstate

Four more Whataburger locations are expected to open in the Palmetto State before the end of 2024. Here’s a list of four additional locations expected to open in South Carolina in 2024.

Randall McNeill of Belton, first in line overall, holds a gift box during Whataburger Opening Day in Anderson, SC, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. McNeill and three others were the first four in line and received a burger a week for a year.

Randall McNeill of Belton, first in line overall, holds a gift box during Whataburger Opening Day in Anderson, SC, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. McNeill and three others were the first four in line and received a burger a week for a year.

  • Fall 2024 – 202 Bridgeberry Lane, Columbia

  • Fall 2024 – 1941 E Main St., Spartanburg

  • Fall 2024 – 1510 WO Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg

  • Fall 2024 – 888 S. Lake Drive, Lexington

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. You can contact him by email at trose@gannett.com.

This article was originally published on Anderson Independent Mail: Anderson County Whataburger holds grand opening with special pricing

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