A Chicago merchant bank has agreed to acquire the San Antonio-based fast-food chain Whataburger.
Whataburger announced Friday that BDT Capital Partners, a bank that advises and invests in family- and founder-led companies, will acquire a majority interest in the 69-year-old business known for its orange-and-white striped color scheme and large burgers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a recent Reuters report stated that Whataburger could be valued at more than $6 billion.
“Whataburger is an iconic brand and extraordinary company with an important legacy of family ownership, loyal customers, valuable community involvement, dedicated and talented employees, and a highly experienced management team,” stated Tiffany Hagge, managing director of BDT Capital Partners in a press release. “We look forward to a long-term partnership with the Whataburger team, continuing their commitment to serving high-quality, great-tasting food at a value and delivering a superior customer experience.”
As part of the acquisition, several Whataburger executives are being promoted, and BDT has plans to expand the enterprise, according to the release. Whataburger headquarters will remain in San Antonio.
“Whataburger has grown significantly over the years,” said Preston Atkinson, Whataburger’s president and CEO. “And, in order to keep satisfying our customers, we’ve been exploring different options to expand the brand and introduce it to new audiences.
“We’re excited about the partnership with BDT because they respect and admire the brand we’ve built. They don’t plan to change our recipe for success.”
Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger in 1950 as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi. Harmon’s son, Tom Dobson, took the reins in the 1990s. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, with 828 locations in 10 states and annual sales of more than $2 billion.
Atkinson and Dobson are stepping down to focus on Las Aguilas, a diversified investment company established in 2011 by the Dobson family. They will hold seats on the Whataburger board of directors through the transition.
News of a possible sale was announced by the family-owned company in May. A spokeswoman said at the time that it had hired investment bank Morgan Stanley to explore selling a minority stake to a financial investor or private equity firm.
BDT Capital Partners was founded in 2009 by Byron David Trott and is headquartered in Chicago. A Bloomberg listing states the bank seeks to invest in North America and prefers to take a majority stake of the companies it acquires.
BDT holds stakes in the Sara Lee’s coffee brand, Panera Bread, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and Einstein Bros. Bagels, among others. In January, BDT entered into an investment partnership with Whistlepig, a rye whiskey distillery in Vermont.
The deal is expected to close later this summer, subject to regulatory approvals.
I don’t like this. I thought Whataburger was selling just a minority interest. I worry that after the honeymoon period is over the new owners will either start making changes to reduce the quality of Whataburger food, or they will sell their majority interest to others who will make the changes.
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s then Church’s Chicken was wonderful. Now, it’s just barely tolerable. I fear that this will be Whataburger’s future.
You nailed it! I used to love Church’s Chicken. Can’t stand it now. Their chicken wings look like they came from baby chicks!
I forgot about the fall of Church’s. Taco Cabana has the same sad story.
Say goodbye to Whataburger as we know it now San Antonio. Changes are coming that’s a given. the north has invaded the South once again. Say goodbye to our headquarters, Community involvement, corporate sponsorship, and most importantly equality of their food. Sad day for San Antonio
I blame Greg Brockhouse.
Dear folks, I understand the enormous amount of emotion that is decimated by the decision to sale the entity that you have supported for many years. I think you would be extremely proud of the fact that your home grown entity will be shared nationally. My opinion, it’s just a burger. Chicago is a hot dog town. We have more dog joints than all the major burger joints combined. Chicago does not want your burgers. Why shouldn’t the family make a profit by selling the company to others who think they can make it better. We know they will falter. I believe you will be more than happy to short the stock when it becomes public, and make a tremendous profit. It’s not Chicago, it’s the financial folks that are based in our city who’s making the business decisions. You can be proud that your burgers will be available nationwide or you can make a profit on the downfall of this decision. Believe you me, it’s just a burger.
Yep, and Tesla is just a car!?
Why would someone in Chicago know how to make a Whataburger?
I ate last evening at the Whataburger on Commerce Street downtown.
Good burgers, courteous staff.
If change is coming, how about changing the pay scale? Nobody can make a living on what Whataburger pays its workers.
WhataSHAME:(
In-N-Out Burger for the WIN!