Whataburger has named Preston Atkinson, current president and chief operating officer, as its new chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2012.
Tom Dobson will continue his role as chairman of the Board of Directors.
Atkinson has worked with Whataburger for more than 15 years. The relationship began in 1986, when Atkinson designed and built Whataburger restaurants, a role he continued through 1998. In November 1998, Atkinson officially joined the Whataburger family, holding the roles of senior vice president of development, chief development officer, and executive vice president and COO, before assuming his current position of president and COO in February 2007.
"For years, Preston has been a trusted partner and friend in my journey as a leader in this company," said Dobson. "His guidance has helped Whataburger grow into a strong, stable and successful burger brand. I am fully confident in Preston's leadership and his ability to carry on the Whataburger legacy, leading our talented team of dedicated individuals to ensure that we are positioned for long term growth and success. "
During Dobson and Atkinson's tenure as a leadership team, Whataburger has expanded into new markets, grown sales and transitioned its headquarters to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in July 2009. Now the chain includes more than 720 locations across 10 states and sales of more than $1 billion annually.
As chairman, Dobson, who has served as CEO since 1993, will continue to stay involved in the business, along with his sister Lynne, and brother Hugh. Still a family-owned company after more than 60 years, Whataburger was founded by Harmon Dobson in 1950 as a roadside hamburger stand in Corpus Christi.
