Idk what some of these fast food places are doing with these streamlined look. Looking sleak isn't gonna get me to eat fast food. And changing iconic logos isn't something regular consumers want. Its a lose lose from a marketing standpoint imo
"Try the new What-a-burger Italian Beef and Chicago style pizza by the slice with a free Cubs key ring with every purchase!" - Jennifer Hudson
I don't see how people can react negatively to them giving a minor face lift and renovations to the restaurants.
Minor renovations is just the start. I fully expect within the next 5 years the menu is gonna be inundated with hoity toity yankee bulls**t. They are clearly focused on national expansion, and with expansion will come an almost unavoidable drop in quality. I wasn't too concerned when they first bought it, but this article set off all sorts of alarm bells.
You should put this in the conspiracy theory thread, because that's exactly what they've said they're not going to do. And this has been happening for several years with their new construction. The company operations are still run out of San Antonio. Reading the article and others may alleviate some of your concerns.
“Peak Rock Capital is an Austin-based "middle-market private investment firm" with investments in various businesses in both the U.S. and Europe. Its other holdings include snack foods maker Halo Foods Ltd. and Turkey Hill, a company that makes ice cream and refrigerated drinks. Shipley Do-Nuts is the latest Texas brand acquired by a private equity firm. In November, Torchy's Tacos announced it has received a $400 million investment that will allow it to expand to 10 more states over the next four years. Chicago’s BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Whataburger in 2019 with plans to expand the brand.”
How does a Whataburger go out of business? The one in Marble Falls says it's "permanently closed". Every time I wanted a breakfast taquito or a late night patty melt, there were 17 trucks in the drive thru line. It was one of those things like Yogi Berra said, "nobody goes there, it's too popular"
Now the internet says it's open again this morning. This does not help me get my 10pm patty melt. But at least it's not closed forever, that was weird to see last night.
I don't obviously know this. I just don't go to Whataburger when there's a line. So basically, I just don't go to Whataburger. Sometimes I do jones for their breakfast, or their "special burgers". I don't think I've been there in 5 months or so.