The place did well, and soon Dobson added two more locations in Corpus and one in nearby Kingsville. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. 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. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. 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. 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. However, the oil business would prove to be about as profitable for Dobson as the diamond business. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. I never knew that Dobsons initial intent was to try and strike oil here in Texas. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. 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. 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. After all, kindness, compassion, and quality were principles Harmon and Grace worked to instill in their employees. The. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. He attributes that success to Whataburgers prudent approach to growth, training, and customer service. In my personal opinion, I am glad he did not succeed in striking oil because I would not have been able to enjoy Whataburger. She lived simply and seldom spent the Whataburger money, aside from the many charities to which she contributed. The story of Dobson was well written here. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. After her husband died, Grace Dobson surrounded herself with a management team, became chairwoman of the board and grew the business to more than 600 company-owned and franchised stores - and raised three children as a single parent. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. Oops, we were unable to send the email. 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. Year should not be greater than current year. 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. He started his first establishment in 1950 as a large "wooden box" stand. 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. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. A year later, the first of the familiar orange and white striped A-frames was built in Odessa, Texas. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. By The Canadian Press Sat., Sept. 26, 2020 Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Other publicly traded restaurant companies have made similar moves recently. The children grew up working in the restaurants and are still a part of what makes Whataburger great today. This is such a great topic! I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. And as long as they can still get their Green Chile Double Whataburgers or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, they probably dont care. Today, Whataburger is a billion-dollar industry, all because of the efforts of Whataburgers saving Grace. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. 200 RESTAURANTS AND GROWING. Treating our customers right. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. Failed to report flower. Harmon never lived to see his shack become a regional burger empire; he died in a plane crash in 1967. In November 1942, a B-17 bomber with a 12-man crew crashed into a Greenland ice cap. We still greet our customers with a smile 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Proving everyone wrong, Grace lived her entire life in the same house that her husband bought her. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. [2], Dobson moved to Texas, where he co-founded the first Whataburger with Paul Burton, who was looking to open a hamburger restaurant. I didnt know the history of Whataburger was so interesting. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. The airplane operated on a flight from Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL (YJT) to Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER). If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Normally, they look at me skeptically as if to say,Yeah, Right!! Please try again later. New Year's Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: . 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. Whataburger, which saw San Antonio as a key growth market, filed suit to block the sale. Thats when they look at me through squinted eyes and really say, Yeah, Right!! The two-seat aircraft crashed into a field north of Thorsby around 1:40 p.m., RCMP said in a Saturday evening news release. We still use 100% pure, never-frozen beef and serve it on a big, toasted five-inch bun. While her husband, Harmon Dobson, was the one who launched the first Whataburger, it was Lady Grace who clung tightly to her husbands legacy through terrible trials and tragedies. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. Oops, something didn't work. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. 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. 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. Published by Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Sep. 3, 2005. 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. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. 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. Its so interesting that he aimed to create a burger that would require hands to hold it. By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000. The beloved Nickel Mugnow a classic piece of Americanadebuted as a promotion which was supposed to last 1-year but ended up running for 14. Some people are legendary because of what they have done, but others and perhaps the most important ones, are legendary because of who they are. The All-Time Favorites menu, featuring four of the most loved specialty sandwiches from over the years, made its debut and was greeted enthusiastically by Whataburger fans. And a new building design, which retained the spirit of the original A-frame, was unveiled. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. The agreement stipulated that if Andrewss company identified a location in the three counties that it wanted to develop, Whataburger was obligated to approve the franchise. Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. 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. September 23, 1952- I never expected anything like this. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Private burial will be in Seaside Memorial Park. So, he brought along Johnny Sneed, who was working with a Whataburger franchise in Victoria, Texas. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. 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. Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. 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. 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. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. (Dobson remains as chairman.) Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. Burton wanted to cut back on the product, convinced that customers would not pay that much. Harmon Archibald Dobson was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. It is crazy that he died in a plane crash. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. In 1942, Dobson went to North Africa to do work on pipefitting scrapyard work, and cable rigging for Bell Telephone Company. His parents had reason to worry. Everyone expected Grace, now twice widowed, to crumble, and they encouraged her to sell Whataburger. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. 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. In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson. He kicked off New Year's Day 1950 with a. It hurts the brand ultimately.. 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. Great article! Leave them blank to get signed up. Harmon Dobson, a "young entrepreneur" who made his start in life shipbuilding, oil drilling and diamond training, was the man behind the burgers. The ceremony wasnt mere sentiment at work. In the midst of this turmoil, Andrews, who decades earlier had been given exclusive rights to Bexar, Bee, Jim Wells, and Webb counties, decided in 1990 to sell his San Antonio franchises to an outside buyer, in order to better focus on the South Texas market. Thanks for your help! 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. The larger burgers that could be found back in the 1950s were served on 4-inch buns. The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. Franchisees and the parent company squabbled over products and promotions, and the once familial corporate culture deteriorated into an us-versus-them mentality. [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. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. In our eighth decade, we entered new markets including Kansas City, Nashville, and Colorado Springs, expanding our restaurant footprint to 14 states. This time, however, it indicated that it wasnt inclined to do so. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. [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. AKA Thomas E. Dobson. With his massive profits, he dabbled in oil speculation and mining diamonds in South America. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. The pragmatic Lady Grace rolled up her sleeves and got to work, teaching her children the family business along the way. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. In 1959, the first Whataburger restaurant outside of the state of Texas opened in Pensacola, Florida.[5]. 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. Thomas Mark Harmon, 50, of Laurel, Mont., died at the scene Monday after crashing his small plane . The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. 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. Whats the beef between Texass most iconic burger chain and its most loyal franchisee? Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. By 1960, Whataburger stores had expanded and were operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. However, early on Burton and Dobson found that their differing business philosophies were undeniable. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. ), When most Whataburger customers walk into the restaurant, they have no idea if the place they are eating at is a franchise or a corporate-owned branch. [1] In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Resend Activation Email. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. 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. 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. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. 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 Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Beechcraft Model 18. When I think of Whataburger, I immediately think of Texas and burgers. harmon dobson plane crash. Its not surprising that people might want a bigger piece of that pie.. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. 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. GREAT NEWS! Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Dobson faced financial challenges. 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. Neither Whataburger nor Whataburger of Alice would be what it is today without the other. 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. This was a very interesting story to tell! New menu additions soon followed, including the Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick'nand the now-famous breakfast Taquitos. To this day, giving is a huge part of the Whataburger dynasty. He flew to Texas to scout out the oil and auto possibilities in places like Witchita Falls, Dallas, and Houston. The golden age of drive-ins and American automobiles was just getting started back on August 8, 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened Whataburger #1. They werent in a hurry to expand, and they rarely if ever expanded outside their comfort zone and their target market.. Yet despite its success, Whataburgers history has included some setbacks. But thats a tough needle to thread for a company that has developed intense customer loyalty because of its down-home, noncorporate image. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. 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. However, Dobson was already looking to move on to bigger ventures. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Learn more about managing a memorial . From the very start, Lady Grace saw to it that Whataburger gave back to the community. Its a little like a public divorceneither side walks away looking good, says Michelle Hartmann, a Dallas attorney who specializes in private-company litigation. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. August 20, 1989. 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. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in . This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. During Hurricane Harvey, Whataburger rallied around the Corpus Christi community and quickly began rebuilding and fundraising efforts. 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. So proud & so tired.17. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. Tom officially took over Whataburger in 1993 and is still company chairman today. Today Whataburger has over 800 stores in ten states serving up Harmon Dobsons original Whataburger. Try again later. Lawrence Jagmin, of Frankfort, crashed Tuesday evening near Illinois 394 and Lincoln Highway in Ford Heights. 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. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16533251/harmon-archibald-dobson. They are memories Sheka said he will treasure. The All-Time Favorites menu, featuring four of the most loved specialty sandwiches from over the years, made its debut and was greeted enthusiastically by Whataburger fans. New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. 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. Were honored today to just say . On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. Please enter your email and password to sign in.
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