Where did Whataburger’s orange and white colors come from?

(NEXSTAR) — When Texas’ signature burger joint first opened in August 1950 in Corpus Christi, the unassuming location was notably different than the Whataburgers you’re used to seeing. Can you imagine it: a Whataburger without the iconic orange and white colors?

It turns out, that color choice wasn’t coincidental. And it has a lot to do with aviation. In fact, the Texas State Historical Association says Dobson could often be seen flying a Whataburger banner over Corpus Christi — and even dropping out coupons!


Top 3 most incorrectly recycled items

“Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson was a pilot,” a Whataburger representative told Nexstar. “He had the goal of making Whataburgers as visible as possible and orange and white is a common color scheme around airports. Meaning: ‘pay attention.”

The very first Whataburger location in Corpus Christi circa 1950 (Courtesy of Whataburger)The first A-frame Whataburger as seen in Odessa, Texas (Courtesy of Whataburger)

Whataburger’s signature orange bears similarities to a few other shades of orange, most notably “International Orange,” also known as aerospace orange. The color is often used for astronaut suits — and an offshoot shade can be seen on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.


How conservative has the Texas legislature become over the last decade?

According to the Golden Gate Bridge organization, the color was chosen not only because it complimented the coast but because it “provides enhanced visibility for passing ships.” The color is so memorable, paint supplier Sherwin Williams even makes its own approximation of “Bridge International Orange” for consumers, known as “Fireweed.”

Aside from its colors, many Whataburger locations are recognizable for the “A-frame” structure, where the building is shaped like a large “A.” Original Whataburger buildings were larger than those we see today, since, as San Antonio Report explains, building codes changed over time and the height became outdated.

Whataburger currently has over 900 restaurants in 14 states, with an employee makeup over over 50,000, according to the company. Though Whataburger originally operated in Corpus Christi, home operations moved to San Antonio in 2009.

 

Flying “W” logo on Whataburger restaurant (Courtesy of Whataburger)
Flying “W” logo on Whataburger restaurant (Courtesy of Whataburger)

(NEXSTAR) — When Texas’ signature burger joint first opened in August 1950 in Corpus Christi, the unassuming location was notably different than the Whataburgers you’re used to seeing. Can you imagine it: a Whataburger without the iconic orange and white colors?

It turns out, that color choice wasn’t coincidental. And it has a lot to do with aviation. In fact, the Texas State Historical Association says Dobson could often be seen flying a Whataburger banner over Corpus Christi — and even dropping out coupons!


Top 3 most incorrectly recycled items

“Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson was a pilot,” a Whataburger representative told Nexstar. “He had the goal of making Whataburgers as visible as possible and orange and white is a common color scheme around airports. Meaning: ‘pay attention.”

The very first Whataburger location in Corpus Christi circa 1950 (Courtesy of Whataburger)The first A-frame Whataburger as seen in Odessa, Texas (Courtesy of Whataburger)

Whataburger’s signature orange bears similarities to a few other shades of orange, most notably “International Orange,” also known as aerospace orange. The color is often used for astronaut suits — and an offshoot shade can be seen on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.


How conservative has the Texas legislature become over the last decade?

According to the Golden Gate Bridge organization, the color was chosen not only because it complimented the coast but because it “provides enhanced visibility for passing ships.” The color is so memorable, paint supplier Sherwin Williams even makes its own approximation of “Bridge International Orange” for consumers, known as “Fireweed.”

Aside from its colors, many Whataburger locations are recognizable for the “A-frame” structure, where the building is shaped like a large “A.” Original Whataburger buildings were larger than those we see today, since, as San Antonio Report explains, building codes changed over time and the height became outdated.

Whataburger currently has over 900 restaurants in 14 states, with an employee makeup over over 50,000, according to the company. Though Whataburger originally operated in Corpus Christi, home operations moved to San Antonio in 2009.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Get your bathroom tech on par with the rest of your …

/ 3 hours ago

Bathroom tech lets you clean your toothbrushes, listen to music while you shower, track essential information about your health and much more.


Everything you’ll need to set up your own March Madness …

/ 3 hours ago

If you’re excited about the March Madness Tournament, prep your command center and show your love for the game with fantastic basketball merchandise.


10 most popular face masks at Sephora

/ 3 hours ago

A well-known cosmetic and beauty brand, Sephora has a wide selection of popular face masks. Some of the face masks are clay-based, while others are cream-based.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


Former bus driver sentenced for 2019 cyclist death


Former President Jimmy Carter to receive hospice …


Horns fall to No. 8 Hogs on Opening Day


Texas keeps a list of executed inmates’ last words


The weekend starts cold before ending warm


Top Stories


More Stories


Former bus driver sentenced for 2019 cyclist death


Former President Jimmy Carter to receive hospice …


Horns fall to No. 8 Hogs on Opening Day


Why are Whataburger’s colors orange and white?


17-year-old boy dies after Cielo Vista Mall shooting …


Texas keeps a list of executed inmates’ last words


The weekend starts cold before ending warm


Arkabutla, MS man accused of killing ex-wife, 5 others


More Stories

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8403459" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list4" data-anvato-params=""ns":"id":"8403459","title":"State of Texas: Gov. Abbott touts u2018education freedomu2019 for Texas parents","link":"https://www.kxan.com/video/state-of-texas-gov-abbott-touts-%e2%80%98education-freedom%e2%80%99-for-texas-parents/8403459/","thumbnail":"src":"https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745","orientation":"landscape","proportional_sources":"16:9":"srcset":"https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 160w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 256w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 320w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 640w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 960w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 1280w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 1920w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/B64/7C3/B647C3347BD3F92F07ACCF35A584FB48_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=f57be2ee8d59fc64c4e1f1845d257745 2560w","sizes":"(max-width: 899px) 100%, 300px","date":"time":"1 hour ago","datetime":"2023-02-18T14:33:00-06:00","lead_media":true,"media_type_icon":"name":"video","label":"Video","vilynx_id":"LIN_8403459","mcp":"LIN","width":"100%","height":"100%","video":"8403459","autoplay":false,"expect_preroll":true,"pInstance":"p48","plugins":"comscore":"clientId":"6036439","c3":"kxan.com","version":"5.2.0","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"c3":"kxan.com","ns_st_st":"kxan","ns_st_pu":"Nexstar","ns_st_ge":"News,Local,Austin,Video,Local News,Video","cs_ucfr":"","dfp":"adTagUrl":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=1×1000&iu=/5678/lin.kxan/news/texas&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vmap&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&description_url=https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/where-did-whataburgers-orange-and-white-colors-come-from/&cust_params=vid%3D8403459%26cmsid%3D1652660%26pid%3D1652660%26pers_cid%3Dnxs-40-article-1652660%26vidcat%3D/news/texas%26bob_ck%3D[bob_ck_val]%26d_code%3D1%26pagetype%3Dstory%26hlmeta%3Dwhere%20did%20whataburgers%20orange%20and%20white%20colors%20come%20from%26aa%3Df","nielsen":"apid":"P74D95DB2-9ACC-40E2-B3B5-7B9C65C50126","sfcode":"dcr","type":"dcr","apn":"Anvato","environment":"production","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"adloadtype":2,"adModel":2,"segmentCustom":"script":"https://segment.psg.nexstardigital.net/anvato.js","writeKey":"8Jlo8JuUyENFG8nvLkq1NuyT2CHRyOp7","pluginsLoadingTimeout":12,"expectPrerollTimeout":8,"accessKey":"gq261XAmw8b5xi69ku8hYmO1kyPmMBzn","token":"eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ2aWQiOiI4NDAzNDU5IiwiaXNzIjoiZ3EyNjFYQW13OGI1eGk2OWt1OGhZbU8xa3lQbU1Cem4iLCJleHAiOjE2NzY3NjA4NjV9.tVqJBSfLUzTrEkn70SaAiuUhBfsgXBoGo6N0HlCE6kw","nxs":"mp4Url":"https://tkx.mp.lura.live/rest/v2/mcp/video/8403459?anvack=bvJ0dQpmRLZx7cMPeiW9U27gVRARwpPL&token=%7E5iy5cpcCZES%2BNSdXb1qiXLloGseZvo70MQ%3D%3D","enableFloatingPlayer":true,"disableMutedAutoplay":false,"recommendations":false,"expectPreroll":false,"titleVisible":false,"pauseOnClick":true,"trackTimePeriod":60,"isPermutiveEnabled":true
// –>


Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area

/ 3 days ago


Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas

/ 3 days ago


Coronavirus Cases Tracker

Austin Weather

Current

57°

Sunny

Tonight

45°

Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Tomorrow

75°

Mostly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Trending Stories


TX state park to close, become private development


BBB warning people about this Texas company


Driver: US 79 has ‘intersections of death’


Why are Whataburger’s colors orange and white?


Texas keeps a list of executed inmates’ last words

Don’t Miss


RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer pic of January


Can I burn my tree stumps, fallen branches post-storm?


TxDMV rejects vegan license plate for ‘vulgar’ phrase


Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team