So proud & so tired.17. Great article! [1] In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. 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. Ive always enjoyed eating the food there and its a top 3 fast food chain for me. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. She was very excited about that." Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. [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 1942, Dobson went to North Africa to do work on pipefitting scrapyard work, and cable rigging for Bell Telephone Company. Failed to remove flower. They really caught on early to the adage that pioneers get slaughtered and settlers get the land, he says. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Occupation: Business Nationality: United States Executive summary: CEO of Whataburger Father: Harmon A. Dobson (Whataburger founder, d. 1967, plane crash) Mother: Grace (d. 1-Sep-2005) Brother: Hugh Sister: Lynne Whataburger President (1993-2007) Whataburger CEO (1993-) George W. Bush for President This is a carousel with slides. When I think of Whataburger, I immediately think of Texas and burgers. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. After the Second World War ended, Harmon settled on buying used cars, which became profitable. I never knew that Dobsons initial intent was to try and strike oil here in Texas. There is even a Whataburger race car and a Whataburger field in Corpus Christi that hosts a minor league baseball team. 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. The airplane operated on a flight from Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL (YJT) to Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER). Weve updated the security on the site. If they cant settle their differences, its not clear where theyll be tomorrow. Angel was a bit more adventurous than Dobson, though both crashed several times in Africa while mining for diamonds. 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. The menu grew as well, with French fries and hot pies being added in 1962. Their business completed the next day, on April 11, 1967, and the men were going back home. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. Whataburger is bigger than all of those, and that may be the point. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. That someone was Harmon Dobson, and that chain is Whataburger, which he started in a Corpus Christi shack in 1950, and which today numbers some 700 restaurants, the majority of them still in Texas. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. You have funeral questions, we have answers. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. The Harmon Rocket two-seat sport plane . Being proud of everything we do. 1967 Press Photo Plane Crash Kill Harmon Dobson & Luther Sneed Restaurant Owners Condition: -- Price: US $10.00 Buy It Now Add to cart Add to Watchlist Returns accepted Ships from United States Shipping: US $4.99Standard Shipping | See details Located in: Memphis, Tennessee, United States Delivery: Grace Williamson and her 5-year-old son, Tom, rented a home owned by Dobsons brother Coy. The Andrews family refused and in March filed its suit, asking a judge to order Whataburger to abide by the 1993 agreement. However, news broke out in June 2019 that Whataburger sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago- based investment banking firm BDT Capital. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. 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. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. This browser does not support getting your location. Andrews, a longtime friend of Whataburger founder Harmon Dobsons, wasnt simply the companys first franchisee, he was its most successful, opening dozens of locations in Texas and helping the chain build its reputation. [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. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. The brand really is tied to both of these families, Hartmann says. I never knew anything about the man who created it and i found it hilarious that he wanted people to say what a burger! 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. Dobson even cut a deal with a local bakery to make special-sized buns; the Rainbo bakery had to search the country for a company that could make pans big enough to bake them. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? 1 Colonization and Settlement (1500-1763), 2 Revolution and Early Republic (1754-1801), 4 Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), 5 Emergence of Modern America (1877-1929), 4 Late Middle Ages-Renaissance-Reformation Europe (1300-1648), 3 Post-Classical History (600 CE-1492 CE), HS 1302 United States History since 1877, SP 3392 Language Variation and Dialectology of Spanish, Dom DiFurio and Oria McCaffrey, Whataburgers founding family sells controlling stake in iconic Texas chain,, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences. Try again later. Dobson faced financial challenges. In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. Normally, they look at me skeptically as if to say,Yeah, Right!! Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. So proud & so tired.17. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Harmon Dobson (16533251)? The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. 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. The lawsuit, filed in San Antonio in March, traces the roots of the dispute to the earliest days of the Whataburger chain, which Dobson founded in 1950 after stints in shipbuilding, oil drilling, and diamond trading. The main reason for the move was for oil. A brief period of military camels in Texas became lost to even most history books. By 1960, Whataburger stores had expanded and were operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . This is a great article and very informative! 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. 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. Once it was averted, Harmon began searching for a new path to success. Auteur/autrice de la publication : Post published: 16 juin 2022; Post category: . Shortly after arriving on campus, Harmon was called home to help with a family crisis. 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. Please reset your password. This is such a great topic! 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. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. 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. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. Instead, during the next 38 years, the Whataburger matriarch, who died of complications from cancer Thursday in a local hospital at age 80, played an integral part in growing the hamburger chain into the eighth largest in the nation. Published by Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Sep. 3, 2005. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. 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. Harmon never lived to see his shack become a regional burger empire; he died in a plane crash in 1967. However, Dobson was already looking to move on to bigger ventures. The price of burgers was raised to 30 cents, and to Burtons chagrin, customers did not mind. It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. Saturday, May 24, 2014 Plane Crash After I went to the library earlier this week, I found something Interesting as I was going through my notes. The Alice franchise was a quick success, and over the decades Whataburger and the Andrews familys company, Whataburger of Alice (WOA), grew in tandem. They have jalapeo eating contests, giveaways, and appearances from the company mascot, Whataguy. . Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. Whataburger moved its Home Office to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in 2009. This is a terrible time to risk messing with the Whataburger brand. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Its so interesting that he aimed to create a burger that would require hands to hold it. Neither Whataburger nor Whataburger of Alice would be what it is today without the other. 0 cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA. Please try again later. [4] In 1962, the company introduced French fries and hot pies to its menu. Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony with Grace throwing out the first pitch. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. 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. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. However, early on Burton and Dobson found that their differing business philosophies were undeniable. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. The other victims were identified by the Texas . The email does not appear to be a valid email address. During Hurricane Harvey, Whataburger rallied around the Corpus Christi community and quickly began rebuilding and fundraising efforts. Under the leadership of Grace Dobson, the company thrived and grew. . Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. In 2020, Whataburgers 70th anniversary year, curbside pickup and delivery options launched, the companys first food truck was unveiled, and our first new large-unit prototype opened. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. Its a place people count on in their communities. On April 11, 1967, at around 4:30 p.m., Dobson and his business associate Luther John Sneed took off in Dobson's Cessna Skymaster from an airport in LaPorte heading for Victoria, Texas. He felt like the burgers at Dairy King were too small and wanted to build a really big burger, calling it the Whataburger. Drag images here or select from your computer for Harmon Archibald Dobson memorial. 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. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. The case went to trial in 1993, but the two sides settled before the jury reached a verdict. BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. Before the Whataburger, the typical burger was a White Castle slider, a two-ounce beef patty on a 2-inch bun. This venture led him to his destiny in the Lone Star State. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. Es Cuaresma y Whataburger lo sabe: El Whatacatch, est de regreso! 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. 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. 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. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. 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. Even the grandchildren work at Whataburger and attend company meetings. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. I'm going to miss her, too." It was very smart of Dobson to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers so that his business to boom even more. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. 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. Benefits. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. In my personal opinion, I am glad he did not succeed in striking oil because I would not have been able to enjoy Whataburger. 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. [4], Dobson and Burton business venture was short lived when their partnership ended 1951 because of a dispute over Dobson's price raise of the burger from 25 to 30 cents. Its not surprising that people might want a bigger piece of that pie.. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. In fact, people love representing Whataburger so much, they rush out to get the latest Whataburger swag: from Whataburger sunglasses to Whataburger sneakers, t-shirts, sweaters, and hats. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. It is crazy that he died in a plane crash. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? He purchased a frozen custard stand called Dairy King in Big Spring, Texas, and ran it for a few weeks to learn the 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. Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. 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. She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. ). (Dobson remains as chairman.) Peterson resigned in 1993. Whataburger, which saw San Antonio as a key growth market, filed suit to block the sale. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. I found this sad and interesting. 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. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. Great article! [4] In 1993, her son Tom Dobson became the CEO and president of Whataburger. Dobson, who was an avid pilot, was inspired by his time in sky, designed the orange and white striped A-frame store in Odessa, Texas, in 1961. However, everything changed when Dobson was put in charge of the refinerys mess hall, and it was here that his education in large-scale food service began. After hearing from a friend in Houston that Texas was teeming with both cars and oil, Dobson, whose business ventures now had him traveling halfway across the U.S., purchased a private plane and learned to fly it. But thats a tough needle to thread for a company that has developed intense customer loyalty because of its down-home, noncorporate image. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. We still greet our customers with a smile 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Known for: Co-founding Whataburger with . This tiny burger stand offered something people had never seen: a burger that was so big, they had to hold its five-inch bun with two hands. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. Is It Possible to Be Vegan Without Eating Vegetables? This was interesting article especially since it was about a burger that is highly famous here in Texas. The Whataburger Jr. was added to the menu, as were jalapeos and onion rings. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. 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. harmon dobson plane crash. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. [4] Year should not be greater than current year. [2] Dobson spent most of his early life working on his parents' cattle farm. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. . Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. I thought it was only a Texas thing and never heard of them existing anywhere else. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. One part of this strategy, the lawsuit contends, is to buy out franchisees with an eye toward taking the company public; gaining greater control over its franchise operations could provide greater value to future shareholders. Family members linked to this person will appear here. However, the oil business would prove to be about as profitable for Dobson as the diamond business. The struggles that Dobson endured building such an important food chain are inspiring. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. In part because of its regional statusof the nearly 800 current Whataburger locations, more than 600 are in Texasthe chain inspires a combination of pride and loyalty among many Texans. Dobson was a notorious bachelor, but he had always liked a beautiful young widow he met at the C.I.T. Credit Corporation in Batesville during his auto dealing years. By 1967, business was booming. 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. In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. Wow! Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. "I considered myself lucky to be a friend of Grace. (Dobson family members also may be ready to cash out.) Tom Dobson. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. And never forgetting where we started. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. Try again later. Add to your scrapbook. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. In June 1950, Dobson was granted the Whataburger name trademark. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. By 1965, it was estimated that Whataburger was selling 15,000 hamburgers a day. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. We also elevated General Managers in our more than 850 restaurants to Operating partners, serving as the face of Whataburger in their communities, connecting and creating relationships with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits. 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. Please enter your email and password to sign in. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson and they became Whataburger's First Couple. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. It hurts the brand ultimately.. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. A few weeks after the funeral, Grace visited Dobson in Corpus Christi, and they had their first date at Whataburger. Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. Today, Whataburger is a big part of Texas culture, and families all over the Lone Star State can say thank you to Harmon Dobson for helping them to celebrate some of the best moments of their lives. To this day, giving is a huge part of the Whataburger dynasty. Contents 1 Early life 2 Whataburger 3 Death 4 References Early life By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. 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. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. And on May 6, 1999, Whataburger by the Bay opened in Corpus Christi as a tribute to Whataburger's upcoming 50th anniversary. On August 8, 2000, Whataburger proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 restaurants in operation and millions of fans all over the country. But the rift between the Andrews family and the burger chain they helped build represents a struggle between the past and the present, and between two families who have known each other for a long time. 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. Having lived in Texas for the 18 years of my life, I found it really interesting to finally know the full history of Whataburger. She was infuriated that people were telling her to sell off her husbands dream and just enjoy the money. 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. Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . Insiders still refer to this time in the companys history as the dead zone. Profits fell as the company overreached by opening stores in saturated markets like Las Vegas and adding menu items, like popcorn shrimp salad, that customers didnt want. Failed to report flower. Dobson lived in the same modest house at Santa Fe Street and Meldo Park Drive for years, maintaining a close relationship with her children, grandchildren and friends, Sheka said. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option.
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