The iconic Whataburger sign flickered off for the final time on December 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., marking the end of operations at seven Southern locations, with one more in Athens, Georgia, closing a day earlier. These eight outlets in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee shuttered less than a year after opening, leaving drive-thrus empty and communities questioning the Texas chain’s push into new territory.
Regional Jolt
The closures hit hard in college towns and booming suburbs primed for Whataburger’s arrival. Sites in Auburn and Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Athens, Georgia; and Middle Tennessee spots like Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, and Clarksville drew students, commuters, and late-night crowds. Residents who embraced the brand’s burgers as a local staple now face gaps in their dining options, especially for quick drive-thru service after hours.
Rapid Expansion Challenges
Whataburger ramped up its Southeast footprint since late 2022, launching dozens of restaurants in Atlanta, Nashville, and beyond. This aggressive growth aimed to elevate the chain from a Texas staple to a broader regional player. Yet the pace exposed strains, with some markets unable to sustain the volume and operational demands of new sites.
Underperformance Exposed
Most closed locations debuted between March and July 2024, including several in North Georgia that saw sparse traffic. The chain now counts four Tennessee sites, two in Georgia, and two in Alabama among the permanently shuttered. Representing under 1% of its more than 1,100 total outlets across 17 states, these represent targeted cuts rather than a full withdrawal.
Local and Worker Impact
Communities feel the pinch acutely. Auburn and Tuscaloosa lose a go-to spot amid college rivalries—the Tuscaloosa outlet even skipped the signature orange exterior to blend with local aesthetics and featured innovative digital kiosks and food lockers as one of Whataburger’s first such formats. Affected employees receive transfer offers to nearby stores, though many in rural areas confront longer drives or employment decisions.
Strategic Adjustments
Whataburger frames the moves as routine portfolio reviews to prioritize high-potential zones. Resources shift to stronger performers, refining the expansion blueprint. A separate closure of a 20-year-old Houston tunnel location in September 2024 stemmed from post-pandemic remote work trends and limited hours. In Georgia, franchise operators in the Atlanta metro grappled with fierce competition and execution hurdles.
Ongoing Commitment to Growth
Growth persists despite setbacks. Plans call for about 70 new restaurants in 2026, over 40 in the Southeast, including Nashville suburbs. Recent Georgia openings in Duluth on September 22, 2024, and East Cobb on December 1, 2024, underscore continued investment. Since BDT Capital Partners acquired the chain in 2019, locations have swelled from around 828 in 10 states, bolstered by tech upgrades and modern designs.
Testing Whataburger’s Expansion Model
These recalibrations test Whataburger’s model as it navigates competitive landscapes and varying demand. Analysts watch whether the brand can sustain enthusiasm outside Texas, balancing cuts with bold openings to secure a lasting Southeast foothold.
Sources
“Whataburger closing 8 locations this month ahead of next phase of growth.” Yahoo News, 15 Dec 2025.
“[WOW] Whataburger Will Now Close A Total of Eight Locations in Georgia, Alabama & Tennessee.” Tomorrow’s News Today, 11 Dec 2025.
“2 Whataburger locations closing in Alabama college towns.” The Bama Buzz, 14 Dec 2025.
“Downtown Houston’s tunnel Whataburger is closing.” Chron, 18 Sep 2025.