Harmon Dobson was born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Ethel Dobson. Once it was averted, Harmon began searching for a new path to success. 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. 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. [7] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) summary classifies the accident type as a stall. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. A year later, the first of the familiar orange and white striped A-frames was built in Odessa, Texas. Each and every Whataburger is still made to orderwhen it's ordered. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. The wreckage of a military plane found this month on an Alaska glacier is that of an Air Force plane that crashed in 1952, killing all 52 people aboard, military officials said Wednesday. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant. In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. I have heard that Whataburger is from Texas but I was never completely sure. Benefits. It was very smart of Dobson to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers so that his business to boom even more. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. There was an error deleting this problem. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. Today Whataburger has over 800 stores in ten states serving up Harmon Dobsons original Whataburger. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. 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. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Four of six Bar-Kays members died: Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Jimmy King and Carl Cunningham. He started his first establishment in 1950 as a large "wooden box" stand. 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. Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. Today, Whataburger is a billion-dollar industry, all because of the efforts of Whataburgers saving Grace. Sadly, in 2005, Whataburger Family Members mourned the loss of Lady Grace as she was called by many. The brand really is tied to both of these families, Hartmann says. 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 location of the first Whataburger was 2609 Ayers Street, across from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. Two summers ago, with the South Texas sun beating down, a group of civic leaders gathered in front of the Whataburger on Main Street in Alice to unveil a bust of the late Joe Andrews Sr. Mary Lynne and Hugh are both members of the board of directors. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. 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. "It was a friendship that grew and grew," Sheka said. In Reeses telling, the states most famous burger joint has become just another greedy corporate entity. A host of new menu items was unveiled, including the Whatameal, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips and more. ). Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Angel was a bit more adventurous than Dobson, though both crashed several times in Africa while mining for diamonds. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. 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. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. Learning about Dobsons history was interesting as well, I didnt know that he had originally started out attempting to capitalize on the oil industry. 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. Peterson resigned in 1993. From the very start, Lady Grace saw to it that Whataburger gave back to the community. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. The exterior of the original Burger Boy restaurant at 2323 N. St. Mary's. Chuck Blount / Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 6. This is such a great topic! He kicked off New Year's Day 1950 with a. 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. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. It was interesting to me reading about the founder of this fast food chain Whtaburger, and all the dedication he put towards his work, I think is very tragic and unfortunate the way Dobson died, he would have accomplished much more succeses during his life time. The larger burgers that could be found back in the 1950s were served on 4-inch buns. 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. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. By Stefano Esposito and Sam Kelly. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Before the Whataburger, the typical burger was a White Castle slider, a two-ounce beef patty on a 2-inch bun. Weve updated the security on the site. 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. Joe Andrews Sr. died in 1999, and his son, Joe Jr., took overand then died suddenly three years later while attending a Whataburger conference in New Orleans. 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. Under Reeses leadership, WOA repeatedly won the chains annual best franchise award. She did not like to drive, so for years he picked her up and drove her to monthly USO meetings. He took jobs at the county fair and as an apprentice iron worker. Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. At first, Harmon was content to help his parents on the farm, but his wanderlust eventually returned, calling him elsewhere. Despite the leadership turmoil, the two companies continued operating under the 1993 agreement for more than twenty years, and tensions seemed to have eased. Whataburger is bigger than all of those, and that may be the point. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Geographical origins Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. 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. It was such a smart marketing move to drop flyers, coupons, and carry a Whataburger banner in the air. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. I thought it was only a Texas thing and never heard of them existing anywhere else. "But through all of their giving and the charitable things that they did for the community and the state of Texas it glowed down on her anyway. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. Following his success, Dobson began dabbling in oil and purchased a small well in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? 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. In 1952 Andrews, who lived in Alice, brought his family to eat at the Kingsville branch and was so impressed that he contacted Dobson about buying a franchise. Beechcraft Model 18. On April 11, 1967, Dobson and an associate died in an airplane crash, and Dobson's widow, Grace, took control of the business. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. 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. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. Today, more than seven-hundred of the distinctive orange and white WHATABURGER restaurants can be found in eleven states, and total more than $1billion is sales annually. 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. In short, Whataburger made it very plain that its position is that Whataburger never intended WOA would have the benefits that the 1993 Agreement clearly states that it does, the lawsuit says. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. This is a carousel with slides. 200 RESTAURANTS AND GROWING. Its so interesting that he aimed to create a burger that would require hands to hold it. Born:? Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. Great article! In 2001, the Whataburger Family Foundation officially began, though the charitable efforts had been ongoing since day one. Shortly after arriving on campus, Harmon was called home to help with a family crisis. Police found two dead people inside the. The struggles that Dobson endured building such an important food chain are inspiring. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Harmon Dobson (16533251)? Try again. how privileged we are to have been in a partnership with you for this long.. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. 9 Intense Plane Crashes Caused By Stalls Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation 3.2M views 2 years ago 8 Bad Weather Plane Crashes Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Whataburger dismisses WOAs allegations, saying the suit contains serious misstatements and baseless speculation. (Whataburger and WOA and their attorneys declined to be interviewed for this story. 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. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. Non-family executives, without direct ownership interest in a privately held company, sometimes try to profit from a companys success by heading up a public offering. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature officially recognized what Texans had known for more than 50 years: Whataburger is a designated a Texas Treasure.' During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. On August 8, 2000, Whataburger proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary with 575 restaurants in operation and millions of fans all over the country. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. 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. UPLAND, Pa. (AP) _ A former New Jersey state trooper severely injured in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, last month has died, a hospital spokeswoman said. With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. The story begins in 1950, when Harmon Dobson, an Arkansas native, came to Texas with dreams of making it big in the oil business, but instead prospered in big burgers, opening the first Whataburger stand in Corpus Christi in August of that year. Perhaps the Depression stuck with young Harmon because food was important to him long after tough economic times had ended. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. There was a festive atmosphere in first class that. Thank God for his drunken partners actions which led him to leave the oil business, otherwise, we wouldnt get to experience the beloved food of Whataburger! Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. The main reason for the move was for oil. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. 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. As a standard for mythical tall tales and legends, it comes as no surprise that Texas holds the national corner on stories of lost treasure. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. Lawrence Jagmin, of . or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. She is survived by two sons, Thomas and Hugh Dobson; a daughter, Lynne Dobson; three sisters, Lola Stettler, Louise Abbot and Jean Florie; and five grandchildren. 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. Andrews surrendered exclusivity to the San Antonio market and agreed to sell the existing San Antonio stores back to Whataburger. Loved this article! [3][2], In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson, a widow with a five-year-old son. 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 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. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. The likeness of Andrews, wearing a cowboy hat and mounted on a limestone pedestal, was commissioned to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the oldest franchise of the iconic Texas burger chain. Private burial will be in Seaside Memorial Park. 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. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. By the late eighties the company had begun to lose its way. Please try again later. And while we now serve hot, fresh food at more than 890 Whataburgers across the country, that burger stand in Corpus Christi is never far from our hearts. Really great article. Corpus Christi is going to miss Grace Dobson. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. 1967. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16533251/harmon-archibald-dobson. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. After all, kindness, compassion, and quality were principles Harmon and Grace worked to instill in their employees. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. She lived simply and seldom spent the Whataburger money, aside from the many charities to which she contributed. Is It Possible to Be Vegan Without Eating Vegetables? Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Unflinching, she steadfastly refused. Auteur/autrice de la publication : Post published: 16 juin 2022; Post category: . September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. So proud & so tired.17. An opportunity arose when Harmon discovered a niche in the auto industry. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. I'm going to miss her, too." The story of Dobson was well written here. Try again later. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. 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.

Jack Avlon Net Worth, Bachelorette Spa Packages Dc, Articles H