The fast-food chain Whataburger is planning to expand into Port Charlotte, marking the brand’s first location in Charlotte County.
Charlotte County Planning and Zoning official Shaun Cullinan confirmed that a preliminary site plan was submitted for a 2,571-square-foot restaurant at 1470 Tamiami Trail. The planned location, an outparcel near Target and Kane’s Furniture, will include a drive-thru.
The next step in the development process will be for property owner Alliant Partners Development to submit a final site plan, after which construction permits can be issued.
County records also show that a demolition permit was submitted, though not yet issued, to remove fencing, curbing and pavement at the site of a former gas station where the restaurant will be built.
A Whataburger Bacon Wrangler burger highlights the Texas-based chain’s menu as it prepares to build a location in Port Charlotte.
Alliant Partners Development purchased the 0.81-acre parcel for $2.15 million. According to the Charlotte County Property Appraiser’s website, the land has a certified and just value of $815,229.
The Port Charlotte restaurant would expand Whataburger’s presence in Florida, where the Texas-based chain continues to grow. The company operates 48 locations in the state, but none currently serve customers in Charlotte, Lee or Collier counties.
The first Whataburger in Southwest Florida is expected to open in south Fort Myers early this year, with another location planned for Estero later in the year. No timeline has been announced for construction or opening of the Port Charlotte restaurant.
Founded in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950 by Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton, Whataburger has developed a strong following across the southern U.S. The company relocated its headquarters to San Antonio in 2009 and has since expanded to more than 1,000 locations nationwide, with most restaurants still concentrated in Texas.
A site rendering highlights the drive-thru design for a proposed Whataburger restaurant in Port Charlotte. The project remains in early planning stages pending final approvals and permits.
The chain is known primarily for its made-to-order burgers, though the menu also includes items such as the Whatachick’n sandwich and a breakfast selection.
If built, the Port Charlotte restaurant would enter a competitive local market. The surrounding area includes more than a dozen dedicated burger and fast-food establishments, along with other restaurants that offer burgers among their menu items.
Despite the competition, the addition of a Whataburger location reflects ongoing commercial growth along the U.S. 41 corridor and increasing interest from national restaurant brands seeking to expand into Southwest Florida.
The project remains in the early planning stages, with final approvals and permits still required before construction can begin.
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