If you think Port Charlotte's new Whataburger will quietly open its doors and go unnoticed, the scene in Fort Myers yesterday suggests otherwise.
Port Charlotte, you might want to start preparing now.
Because Whataburger's first Southwest Florida location just opened in Fort Myers—and judging from what happened when the doors opened, the arrival of Port Charlotte's location could be quite an event. We're talking crowds. Lines. And a drive-thru backed up for what looked like several blocks.
The photographs accompanying this story were taken at the Fort Myers opening and give us a pretty good preview of what may be coming our way. And if you're a Whataburger fan, that's probably exciting news. If you're planning to drive anywhere near the Port Charlotte location that day, you may want to plan accordingly.
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Fort Myers Was Packed
When Whataburger opened its Fort Myers restaurant Thursday, Sept. 10, customers were already lined up and waiting.
The restaurant opened at 12916 S. Cleveland Ave. at 11 a.m. The location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Christmas.
See the Fort Myers Whataburger on Google Maps
But the bigger story may have been outside. The drive-thru line stretched into the surrounding area, with cars waiting well beyond the immediate restaurant property. And this wasn't exactly unexpected.
Whataburger has developed a famously loyal following, and recent Florida openings have shown that plenty of people are willing to wait when a new location arrives in their area.
In Fort Myers, the first two customers inside and the first two vehicles in the drive-thru were even promised free Whataburger for a year. The first 80 people in line and first 20 cars were also slated to receive Whataburger swag bags. That certainly didn't hurt the turnout.
Now It's Port Charlotte's Turn
The Port Charlotte Whataburger is planned for 1470 Tamiami Trail, near Veterans Boulevard and El Jobean Road. Charlotte County project records identify it as a 2,571-square-foot restaurant with drive-thru facilities, parking and associated infrastructure, and county development records have listed the project as under construction.
See the future Port Charlotte Whataburger site on Google Maps
Why All the Fuss?
For people unfamiliar with Whataburger, the reaction might seem a little excessive. It's a hamburger.
But Whataburger isn't just another hamburger chain to its fans.
The company has been around since 1950 and has built a fiercely loyal customer base around its made-to-order burgers, breakfast menu, shakes and distinctive orange-and-white branding.
And when a new restaurant opens in a market where people have been waiting for it, the opening itself becomes an event. Fort Myers proved that Thursday. Port Charlotte could be next.
So When Does Port Charlotte Open?
That's the one question we don't have an official answer to yet.
An official grand-opening date has not been announced. The Fort Myers opening, however, gives us a pretty good idea of what to expect.
The Fort Myers restaurant used two drive-thru lanes during the grand-opening rush, and company officials have indicated that the extraordinary lines seen during new openings generally ease once the initial excitement settles down. In other words, the madness probably won't last forever. But opening day? That's another story.
So when that orange-and-white sign finally lights up in Port Charlotte, don't be surprised if the parking lot fills quickly, the dining room is packed and the drive-thru becomes a very long line.
Fort Myers got its Whataburger yesterday.
Port Charlotte's is coming.
And if you're planning to be there on opening day,
there's really only one question left:
