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By 1967, business was booming. Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. . 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 Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Dobson and Burton's goal was to make a burger that took two hands to hold and that tasted good. The Crash of United Flight 232 - Popular Mechanics There is even a Whataburger race car and a Whataburger field in Corpus Christi that hosts a minor league baseball team. What disappointed Harmon most about this era was the news that although he was accepted to the University of Missouri to study journalism, he would never graduate. harmon dobson plane crash. Harmon Dobson - Wikipedia Andrews developed a close relationship with Dobson; he even coined the companys popular slogan, We build a bigger, better burger., Today, those oversized burgers and the promise of fresh ingredients generate annual sales of $1.8 billion, making Whataburger the thirty-third-largest restaurant chain in the countryand the second-largest founded and based in Texas, after Chilis. 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. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Born: October 8, 1913, Wayne, OK. Died: 1967, La Porte, TX. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . Tom Harmon is Missing | University of Michigan Heritage Project In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. Geographical origins [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. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson and they became Whataburger's First Couple. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. Dobson's journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. The two-seat aircraft crashed into a field north of Thorsby around 1:40 p.m., RCMP said in a Saturday evening news release. Known for: Co-founding Whataburger with . An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. In 1942, Dobson went to North Africa to do work on pipefitting scrapyard work, and cable rigging for Bell Telephone Company. 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. Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. 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. The History of and Story Behind Whataburger Logo - Money Inc In 2012, though, Tom Dobson relinquished his CEO duties to Atkinson, a former contractor who started building Whataburger restaurants in 1986 and then joined the company in 1998. By 1965, it was estimated that Whataburger was selling 15,000 hamburgers a day. 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. After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took . 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. Search above to list available cemeteries. And as long as they can still get their Green Chile Double Whataburgers or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, they probably dont care. Earlier in the year, Harmon had crashed in Dutch Guiana at the northern tip of South America while en route to North Africa. Plane hit power line before crash near Edmonton that killed well-known This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Try again later. It hurts the brand ultimately.. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 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. . August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. The location of the first Whataburger was 2609 Ayers Street, across from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. 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. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. The entire crew bailed out, with Harmon parachuting into a jungle. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Although he missed college, Harmon was determined to make his way in the world. 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. He flew to Texas to scout out the oil and auto possibilities in places like Witchita Falls, Dallas, and Houston. Unwilling to compromise, Dobson offered Burton the keys to his yellow Plymouth convertible and franchise rights to all of San Antonio in exchange for the business. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . This was a very interesting story as I am always buying Whataburger and hear that is was once a family restaurant but never really took the time to read and learn about the story. Published by Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Sep. 3, 2005. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. In November 1942, a B-17 bomber with a 12-man crew crashed into a Greenland ice cap. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. There was a problem getting your location. 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. how privileged we are to have been in a partnership with you for this long.. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. They have also hosted Wow fund-raising events where they combine fun community activities with charitable giving. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. 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. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. 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. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. 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. New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. By 1960, Whataburger stores had expanded and were operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. 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. Harmon Dobson | Military Wiki | Fandom Great job on your article Courtney! Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. On August 8, 2000, Whataburger proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 restaurants in operation and millions of fans all over the country. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. Lady Grace and the Whataburger Legend - Texasliving 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 Texas burger landscape is more competitive than ever, thanks to an influx of regional mini-chains such as Austins P. Terrys, the Metroplexs Twisted Root Burger Co., and Houstons Becks Prime and smaller national chains such as Smashburger, Five Guys, and Shake Shack. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Pilot killed in crash near Thorsby remembered as 'skilled, beloved At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. Also on board and killed was soul singer Otis Redding . Try again later. As a team, they expanded the Whataburger chain and had a family. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. The University of Houstons Barth says such changes arent unusual in a company that has grown to Whataburgers size. 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. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. Following his success, Dobson began dabbling in oil and purchased a small well in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. You have funeral questions, we have answers. By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000. Their family complete, the Dobsons embarked on the happy, golden age of Whataburger. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. Even the grandchildren work at Whataburger and attend company meetings. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. I thought it was only a Texas thing and never heard of them existing anywhere else. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. If they cant settle their differences, its not clear where theyll be tomorrow. [2] Dobson spent most of his early life working on his parents' cattle farm. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. A system error has occurred. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. [2] She ultimately refused to sell the company, wanting it to be kept in the family, and became chairwoman of the board of Whataburger until her death in 2005. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. In our eighth decade, we entered new markets including Kansas City, Nashville, and Colorado Springs, expanding our restaurant footprint to 14 states. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. GREAT NEWS! The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. I think anyone who hasnt tried Whataburger definitely should because it is one of the best fast food places. "I considered myself lucky to be a friend of Grace. cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. By 1949, Dobson was done with diamonds and began searching for a safe place to land. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. A few weeks after the funeral, Grace visited Dobson in Corpus Christi, and they had their first date at Whataburger. [4] Burton and Harmon decided that Burton would own the Whataburger franchises in San Antonio, Texas, while Harmon would own the rest of the company and its franchises. Ive always associated Whataburger with Texas and learning more about an integral part of Texan culture was enjoyable. In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. Oops, we were unable to send the email. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. After the settlement, the leadership of both companies changed. 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. . [5] In 1963, Whataburger opened its first location in Arizona totaling the number of stores 26. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Wikipedia. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. During this time he traveled to North Africa where he helped build a U.S. Navy base and worked on airplane hangars, radio towers, tanks, and whatever else the Navy needed. 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. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. This is a terrible time to risk messing with the Whataburger brand. For Adler, the name on the stadium and the ball-throwing honor were small tributes to a woman he thought the world of. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. This is the era in which country music legend Mel Tillis started appearing in television commercials for the company, a role that would continue through the 80s. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. Contents 1 Early life 2 Whataburger 3 Death 4 References Early life Peterson resigned in 1993. Its competition is McDonalds and Wendys, not a boutique operation with three locations that offers grass-fed-bison burgers topped with arugula on a gluten-free bun. At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant. It is crazy that he died in a plane crash. The larger burgers that could be found back in the 1950s were served on 4-inch buns. [4] In 1993, her son Tom Dobson became the CEO and president of Whataburger. Being proud of everything we do. They really caught on early to the adage that pioneers get slaughtered and settlers get the land, he says. In a short time, Dobson had an impressive business. Dobson then bounced around a lot after that work on the Suez Canal in Egypt, and then in Bahrain where he was in charge of a construction of a mess hall. 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. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. 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. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Lawrence Jagmin, of . 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. 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 young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. Harmon Dobson was sixteen years old on Black Friday, but this first Black Friday was no shopping extravaganza: it marked the most devastating stock market crash in United States history. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. I love Whataburger and it is a Texas staple. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . Wow! 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. 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. There is a problem with your email/password. Ive always enjoyed eating the food there and its a top 3 fast food chain for me. In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. The Andrews family has been very special to Whataburger through the years, said Whataburgers corporate chief, Preston Atkinson, during the ceremony. After World War II ended in 1945, Dobson returned home to his home state of Arkansas, where he worked buying and selling used cars. Harmon was a stickler for cleanliness and very detailoriented, his sister LenaRae explained to biographer Greg Woolridge. Other publicly traded restaurant companies have made similar moves recently. 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. The children grew up working in the restaurants and are still a part of what makes Whataburger great today. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. 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.. Under the leadership of Grace Dobson, the company thrived and grew. Tagged With: Historical Figures, Legacies. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants. 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. August 20, 1989. Benefits. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. This is a great article and very informative! Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents.