Yahoo Finance Whataburger plans its first Manatee County restaurant in Bradenton, records say
Whataburger, a little hamburger stand that started in Corpus Christi, Texas, and grew into a national chain, could be coming to the Bradenton area.
There are now 45 Whataburger franchise locations in Florida, but none further south than St. Augustine.
Joseph Bermudez of Downers Grove, Illinois, submitted paperwork for a pre-application meeting on Whataburger with Manatee County Development Services on May 30, meaning that it might be a while before burger lovers actually get their hands on one.
The leasing plan for the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour shopping center shows a proposed 3,505-square-foot burger restaurant on its southeast corner, near the intersection of State Road 64 and Heritage Harbour Parkway.
The Whataburger franchise planned for 7267 State Road 64 E. would bring something new to the local burger wars.
Among those already dug in are Shake Shack, Five Guys, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, BurgerFi, Culver’s and local favorites like the Shake Pit, Skinny’s, Shake Station, Rock Inn Restaurant and more.
Whataburger plans Manatee County restaurant
Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson had a goal of serving a burger so big it took two hands to hold and so good that with one bite customers would say, “What a burger,” according to company history.
“He succeeded on both counts and turned that one little burger stand into a legend loved throughout Texas and the South,” the company said.
Today, there are more than 1,000 Whataburger franchises across 15 states.
“Each and every Whataburger is made to order, right when it’s ordered. And they’re still made with 100 percent pure, never-frozen beef and served on a big toasted five-inch bun with all ‘the extras’ to suit your taste.
“Grilled jalapeños, extra bacon, three slices of cheese, no tomatoes, extra pickles? No problem. Your Whataburger will be made just like you like it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” the company said.
More retail coming to Bradenton shopping center
Marketplace at Heritage Harbour has seen rapidly intensifying retail activity in recent years, starting with the August 2019 opening of Costco. Miller’s Ale House opened in November at 7175 State Road 64 E.
Also coming to the shopping center:
▪ A nearly 150,000-square-foot Target store at 725 Lighthouse Drive.
▪ Academy Sports + Outdoors has a 62,966-square-foot store under construction, on the opposite side of a roundabout from Costco. Academy sells hunting, fishing, and camping equipment and gear, along with sports and leisure products, footwear and apparel.
▪ Whole Foods Market. “We can confirm this store is in development. We do not have any additional information to share at this time,” a Whole Foods communications specialist previously said in an email.
▪ Hobby Lobby has signed a lease for a 55,000-square-foot store at 805 Lighthouse Drive. The company sells arts-and-crafts items, fabrics, floral and wedding supplies, cards and party ware, baskets, wearable art, home decor and holiday merchandise.
▪ LongHorn Steakhouse. Edgewood Properties’ leasing map for Marketplace shows space for a 5,479-square-foot casual steakhouse fronting on State Road 64.
▪ Panda Express, known for its signature crispy orange chicken dish. Most Panda Express restaurants are company-owned.
In addition, a 124-room hotel is planned a few blocks away on the grounds of the Stoneybrook Golf Course. The golf course was designed by the late Arthur Hills.
The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour is being developed by Edgewood Properties of Piscataway, New Jersey.
