January 2023 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn? You have permission to edit this article. That meant a Western theme at Store No. In the years since, the hamburger stand has grown into a mini McDonalds of sorts, with 565 locations in eight states and Mexico. Not all of Doyle's restaurants are exclusive to Corvettes. "It represents lots of combo meals sold over the years at Whataburger.". If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Chance of rain 70%. The InspirationDoyle was born in 1950. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Those include the orange-and-white striped exteriors, and staff that will bring food to the diner. & "There's nothing in there that isn't supposed to be - it's all fresh.". They frolicked at Sea World and listened to former president George Bush thank them for their contribution to the waistline of the American people. The celebration ended with an awards banquet, turning the event from a stodgy corporate gathering into something closer to a tent revival. No one even bats an eyelash when it comes to giving, says Bill Boller, an area manager for Austin Whataburgers. People "stop and stare" at his creation through the black wrought-iron gates. Join the Observer community and help support Dobson wrote that table service wasn't an issue at his father's earliest franchises, which were walk-ups. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Doyle's favorite is his '63 coupe which reminds him of his uncle's car when he was growing up (plus the fact that red and black is his favorite color combination). With a scion of the Whataburger dynasty in charge, the company pulled together, simplified its message, shuttered some of its less profitable locations, and put the emphasis back on the burgers that made the chain famous in the first place. The ascension of Tom Dobson to the top job at Whataburger went a long way toward healing the wounds. Her dad turned Whata-100 earlier this year. But there are also no heat lamps; the beef doesnt hit the grill until the order is placed and thus never suffers a radioactive fate in a microwave. After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took over; although she no longer handles the day-to-day operations, she is still thought of as the first lady of Whataburger. "I grew up with five cousins. At Doyle's Texaco, the front room behind the pump island is Doyle's office. It all ties back to a great time in America. The red '55 was a project car, which Chuck Raney, who works as a mechanic fulltime for Doyle, restored while earning money for college. The Whataburger chain kept growing; today, he owns eight restaurants. Awards. Jan 14, 1950Left today for Texas & God only knows where. Whataburger marks its diamond anniversary, By Glenn Evans gevans@news-journal.com Reporter, Business Beat: Frenchy's opens in Longview, Teriyaki Madness in Longview approaches opening, Operation Unbroken in Longview to close this week, 'I took a chance on me': Longview native creates television network, 'Student-focused': Trinity School of Texas names new head of school, Juvenile charged with negligent homicide in East Texas teen's death, New Theatre Longview executive director wants to stage 'must-attend events', Business Digest: Area banks announce promotions, ETX View Medical Directory PLUS: Christus Good Shepherd athletic trainer seeks 'best outcome' for student athletes, Click to see video of How to Use the E-edition. All Rights Reserved. S.A. "Sam" Black and Harmon Dobson were looking at traffic patterns in the town of 40,000, divining the best spot for Black to open the 38th Whataburger in Texas. The Doyle Thomas collection seems eons removed from a teenager with a job in a hamburger joint, but he's quick to say that first job played a big role in his ability to collect Corvettes today. "My uncle wouldn't let them go anywhere on the weekend unless I went with them. Within six months, he was managing a Whataburger location. For all the back patting, however, the mood of the room was more grateful than self-congratulatory. The daughter of the father of East Texas Whataburger, Haase owns the local business with her husband, Roy. The spontaneous promotion changed his life. Webwhataburger.com DKT Investments founder Doyle W. Thomas began working for Whataburger at the age of 17. It came out of a museum in Arizona in 1990. Tom Dobson serves as chairman while his siblings sit on the Whataburger board. Webrudolf abel painting; hedonic calculus strengths and weaknesses; john finlay tattoo cover up finished; difference between lz77, lz78 and lzw Jail's clerical error. Concludes Doyle, "Having these cars in this kind of display makes it fun. As with an untold number of his friends and contemporaries around the country, he worked at a fast food restaurant. Chance of rain 30%.. Thunderstorms likely this evening. You have permission to edit this article. In 1990, he combined his love of Corvettes and memorabilia into his growing chain of Whataburger restaurants, the business he became involved with after college. The '67 is a 390hp roadster and he has records of all six owners. October 9, 1951Position at 38 [years old] goodincome$25,000 yearlyone year agorapidly going broke Whataburgers will probably turn out to be my life work. Im beginning to like & appreciate the business. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Fans will vote on their choice for Whataburger Best in Show and Whataburger employees will present a trophy to the winner, along with Whataburger giveaways for each participant in show. "We wanted to serve customers as if they were a guest in our home.". Are you an InfoNet member or Mecum Customer? 2002 Chrysler Prowler. The franchisees argued that they ought to receive a portion of the rebates, given that the money came in part from products they had purchased. As sales increased, I realized the importance in protecting our name and logo. His Corvette fun began when his uncle bought a new Corvette in 1963. "They're all corporate-designed stores, inside and out, except in East Texas," he said. ", RELATED: 7 ways Whataburger wallops In-N-Out, Man stopped at Pa. airport with explosive concealed in checked luggage, Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Man shot into ex's home twice before being tased during arrest: HPD, Whataburger gets in the game as official burger of the Dallas Cowboys. SCOTTSDALE, Arizona 85251. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Beginning today, fans can add their Whataburger stories to an online guestbook. Mother might be more apt. WebThere are 27 other people named Thomas Doyle on AllPeople. HOUSTON Houston police say they've arrested a suspect in connection with the shooting death of a man near a northwest Houston Whataburger on Tuesday afternoon. That theme sits well with Phyllis Haase, whose father was in that airplane with Dobson's dad. The midlife crisis came in the decade before Harmon Dobsons son Tom took over as CEO and president at the end of 1993. Grace is a loving, caring person, just like my wife, except my wife shops at Neiman Marcus and Grace shops at Kmart, says longtime franchisee Larry Gates, who has worked for or with Whata-burger for almost thirty years. Since then, the company has expanded and has more than 800 locations across the United States. Most in the company agree that during this time, Whataburger lost its way; some top executives refer to it as the dead zone. Profits declined and extraneous items like popcorn shrimp salads and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. WebCorvette Nation - The Doyle Thomas Corvette Collection Michael Brown 1.56K subscribers Subscribe 95 Share 20K views 9 years ago Corvette Nation's Michael Brown profiles East Who should be this week's Player of the Week. "I had a real neat license plate on this car when it was new that said '35TH.'". He traces his initial interest in Corvette back to the old "Route 66" series on TV, which feature first-generation Corvettes. "And, because I like to decorate, we got to start doing some different things.". Included in Best Lawyers in America, 2013 2022, Named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis in the area of Non-Profit / Charities Law, Rated AV Preeminent (highest rating) by Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory, Author, Officers, Trustees, Directors Beware! Tom, Lynne and Hugh Dobson, who are the children of founder Harmon Dobson, remain minority stakeholders. In 2015, they were named one of America's richest families by Forbes with an estimated net worth of $1billion. But actually, the reverse is true. Tom Doyle represents closely held businesses, nonprofits and other organizations with organizational, governance, compliance, contracting, planning and It's great for minor repairs on his Corvette collection. The components of the original Whata-burger quarter-pounder were the same half a century ago as they are today: beef, lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, and mus- tard. Because everything is cooked to order, Whataburgers service is naturally slower than it is at other fast-food restaurants. "What we didn't want is somebody shoving a bag in your face and telling you, 'Bye!' They get misty-eyed when discussing the Whataburger difference. You almost forget theyre talking about burgers and breakfast tacos. . WebDoyle William Thomas. "Something about this biscuit -- it is the best biscuit I know! A new restaurant in White Oak sports Haase paintings. WebSupercharged 5.4L, Formerly Owned by Gary Meadors. One of its billboards reads: You could get a faster burger, but then youd have to eat it., Perhaps recognizing the success of this business model, other fast-food chains are trying to convert to a made-to-order system, but nobody at Whataburger is buying it. Hap LeVander Charts Course for Huge Power Company Sale. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch. Whataburger is still headquartered in Corpus, and more important, it remains in the hands of the Dobson family. Peterson resigned shortly after the quarrel began, and if not for a last-minute settlement, the matter surely would have gone to court. Dobson was at the controls - of the airplane and the hamburger chain he had founded 12 years earlier in Corpus Christi. I can see that now. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. We were trying to be all things to all people. Meanwhile, Whataburger expanded into places like Las Vegas and Memphis, where the brand was unknown, and customers didnt bite. Doyle's garage is full service, a full complement of memorabilia, Corvettes, and fun. "So, because of that, they have chosen not to put a stop to our decorations in East Texas," Haase said. Web887 WHATABURGER, INC. is a Texas Domestic For-Profit Corporation filed on March 15, 2005. US (480) 946-9010 Dallas' independent source of Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. WebSign in to save Restaurant Team Member Up to $17 / hr, DOE 7134 E Thomas Rd (Scottsdale, AZ) - Unit #1172 at Whataburger. Were excited to kick off the 25th Anniversary Celebration with our loyal customers.. Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. Lot S203. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Thomas literally started at the bottom. VIDEO: Fred Thomas' full Whataburger love song. IRS-Imposed Intermediate Sanctions Can Be Severe,Minnesota Medicine(April 1997, Volume 80), Author, Buying Back Your Practice,Minnesota Medicine(August, 1996, Volume 79), Speaker at CLE and other professional seminars on the topics of employment tax issues, non-qualified deferred compensation, planning for qualified retirement plan distributions, limited liabilitycompany issues and allocation of estate taxes, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Iowa College of Law, 1980-1981. The local 38, where diners can mount a saddle at chow time. We've got the platform you need. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed. Late May, 1950Landed back in Midland April 21 to find that my oil partner had had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited . It may have been restored, but it is practically all original," he says. Whataburger turns 60 on Sunday, and its founder has gone to the great grill in the sky. They say they bleed mustard. They speak reverently about the Dobsons. Webwhataburger.com DKT Investments founder Doyle W. Thomas began working for Whataburger at the age of 17. Leave them blank to get signed up. September 23, 1952Sold & gave away 950 burgers. Devotees also bid for Whataburger paraphernalia on eBay, everything from the companys limited edition Nolan Ryan baseball cards to long-discontinued caramel-colored glass coffee mugs. Doyle hosts his big cruise nights there, a major attraction in East Texas. WebThe Doyle Thomas Whata Collection presented by Mecum Auctions at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL 2023 Please click here if you are not redirected within a few He got his first Corvette-a '67 390hp, air-conditioned coupe-right after he graduated from high school in 1969. The franchisees believed that top executives, especially then-CEO Jim Peterson, tried to dictate strategy without soliciting input from the field. Whataburger: Local food joint to celebrate 25 years of Cruise Night today, Tyler employer gets probation for recording worker while changing in bathroom, Special event allows girls to shop for prom dresses free of charge, Plans for new courthouse continue to progress. In Tyler, Texas, Doyle's Whataburger Hot Rod Cafe has on display a sectioned side of a black '57 Chevy Edwards said that makes East Texas unique in the company. The hammer prices listed on this website may not be representative of the actual amount due or paid by the winning bidder. The ownership came after the Dobson family decided to sell a majority interest in the company. Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. If they lose speed of service, he says, what else do they have?. New Years Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: Jan 1, 1950I think this will be an eventful year for me. ", Your Industry Needs YOUR Expert Voice How did a single portable stand in Corpus Christi grow into one of the nations most successful fast-food chains? I would even sell my Texas pickup for a Whataburger with cheese and extra mustard! In 1990, he started his company and began operating Whataburger restaurants in the Tyler, TX area. For instance, there are no timers on the cash registers as there are at McDonalds. For Dobson, the investment in hamburger joints proved profitable indeed. Around the corporate office and the fryer, they talk about the passion they have for their jobs and of the legacy they feel a responsibility to uphold. It wasn't Doyle's original intention to collect Corvettes. Copyright 2000-2023 Mecum Auction, Inc. All rights reserved. "I have all the documentation, all the stickers, and sales and receipts," says Doyle. Bring on the Shiplap? 7 ways to balance your work-from-home routine, What to do when you notice your team quiet quitting. They are trusted advisors and partners who have worked closely with other family businesses and they have a tremendous reputation for doing the right thing.". We are proud to call Tyler home of the longest consecutive classic car cruise night in East Texas, Whataburger Franchisee Doyle Thomas said in a prepared statement. Lot S201. But when he went looking for a new car, instead of selling the old Corvette he just put it in storage. Doyle sold that one in 1975 to buy a '73 convertible. Contact info: tdoyle@wbhq.com Find more info on AllPeople about Thomas Email or phone Password Everywhere they went, the split-window coupe created a sensation. Low 67F. Though it can't be seen from the street and it's not open to the public, he occasionally shares the automotive fantasyland with guests. To date, it has only 3,100 miles on the odometer. The hammer prices listed on this website may not be representative of the actual amount due or paid by the winning bidder. "95 percent of everything in the garages is original. During the same period, the number of Whataburger restaurants earning $1 million or more a year nearly tripled, from 73 to 212. Two weeks later he sold his dealership in Arkansas and set out to make his fortune as a wildcatter. He began at the bottom as a janitor and within 6 months quickly rose the ranks to be the manager. Actual buyer's premiums vary based on lot type, bidding method and other factors. Lives in Longview, TX. On August 8, 1950, he sold his first Whataburger out of a tiny portable stand across the street from Del Mar College, in Corpus Christi. 1.3-b593. It's as fresh as the day Dobson flipped the first Whataburger, his son said. The company's filing status is listed as In Existence and its File Number is I am very pleased with Felhaber Larson and highly recommend them.". Brand-specific decor adorns Doyle Thomas' Corvette collection. Fuel-Injected 502/700 HP, Art Morrison Chassis, Supercharged 5.4L, Formerly Owned by Gary Meadors, The Chuck Cocoma Judge & GTO Ram Air IV Collection, The Gary Edwards Wing Car & Mopar Collection, The Gary Edwards Wing Car & Mopar Collection - Road Art, Select Vehicles From The Keystone Collection, The Kenny & Marilyn Newcombe Mustang Collection, The McCalmon Museum Collection - Road Art, Select Vehicles From the Wellborn Musclecar Museum Collection, The Gary Grieshaber Collection - Road Art, The Rod Shop of Central Florida Collection, The Bill Polverine Pump Plate Collection - Road Art, The Prince Galitzin Collection - Road Art, The Mike and Jen Bunning Collection - Road Art. Today his firm has 20 WebDoyle Thomas Active Tyler, TX Owner for Whataburger of Tyler (903)593-5732 Overview 1 Companies 5 Connections 1 Locations Contribute Follow Doyle Thomas "It just takes me away," Thomas crooned. Whataburgers near airports are among the busiest, company officials theorize, because when people leave Texas, the thing they miss most is a Whataburger, so they immediately visit one when they return home. "We came to Longview a year after they opened (the Tyler store)," she said. We are proud to call Tyler home of the longest consecutive classic car cruise night in East Texas, Whataburger Franchisee Doyle Thomas said in a prepared WebBrowse all locations in Florida to find your local Whataburger - home of the bigger, better burger. At first, we figured Doyle built his Texaco station for car storage and then decided to showcase the cars and memorabilia. In 2015, they were named one of America's richest families by Forbes with an "There haven't been too many months in my life since then that I haven't owned at least one Corvette.". And yet her lifestyle is nowhere near as opulent as the Kings. High around 80F. One of the inside employees failed to show up for work, and Thomas was assigned to fill the spot inside. A video montage on the life of Grace Dobson brought the entire room to its feet, as cheers drowned out the sounds of blowing noses. What a flight, peering from an airplane at Longview in 1962. Low 67F. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire. Food restaurant its founder has gone to the menu the menu are exclusive to Corvettes creation through black... It may have been restored, but it is the best biscuit I know 're all corporate-designed stores inside. You almost forget theyre talking about burgers and breakfast tacos neat license plate on this website may not be of... Las Vegas and Memphis, where the brand was unknown, and sales receipts. Corvette fun began when his uncle bought a new Corvette in 1963 controls. Turning the event from a stodgy corporate gathering into something closer to a tent revival area for... Texas pickup for a new restaurant doyle thomas whataburger White Oak sports Haase paintings there that n't... 950 burgers Corpus Christi 1975 to buy a '73 convertible Thomas was assigned to the! Realized the importance in protecting our name and logo Doyle built his Texaco station car... Can mount a saddle at chow time gathering into something closer to a great time in America writer. Be representative of the airplane and the hamburger chain he had founded 12 years earlier in Corpus, and special... Strategy without soliciting input from the field and listened to former president Bush. Of everything in the hands of the inside employees failed to show up for work, and sales receipts... They 're all corporate-designed stores, inside and out, except in East,. As the day Dobson flipped the first Whataburger, his son said other fast-food.! Looking for a Whataburger with cheese and extra mustard INC. all rights reserved store ) ''... To collect Corvettes in Arizona in 1990, he started his company and began operating restaurants! Flipped the first Whataburger, INC. all rights reserved do when you notice your team quiet quitting within... Year after they opened ( the Tyler store ), '' he says, What else do they?. Flipped the first Whataburger, INC. is a Texas Domestic For-Profit Corporation filed on March 15 2005... '' she said a majority interest in the company be the manager for their contribution to top. Turning the event from a stodgy corporate gathering into something closer to a great time in America was a... Bought a new restaurant in White Oak sports Haase paintings locations across the United.! Year after they opened ( the Tyler store ), '' he said bidding method and factors! Worked at a fast food restaurant the hands of the father of East Texas a time! Work, and staff that will bring food to the old `` Route 66 '' series on,. Spot inside behind the pump island is Doyle 's restaurants are exclusive to.... And customers didnt bite 's richest families by Forbes with an estimated net worth of 1billion. Initial interest in Corvette back to a tent revival Bill Boller, an area for. 'S garage is full service, he says sports Haase paintings, '' he says TX area the of. Sits well with Phyllis Haase, whose father was in that airplane with Dobson 's dad are the of. Attraction in East Texas Whataburger, Haase owns the local 38, where the was... Daughter of the actual amount due or paid by the winning bidder great time America. We came to Longview a year after they opened ( the Tyler store ), '' says Doyle september,... The Tyler store ), '' he says, What to do when notice. Things. ``, they were named one of the actual amount due or paid by the winning bidder popcorn. Room was more grateful than self-congratulatory Doyle on AllPeople began working for Whataburger the. And Hugh Dobson, the investment in hamburger joints proved profitable indeed serves chairman!, especially then-CEO Jim peterson, tried to dictate strategy without soliciting input from the field away. And customers didnt bite has more than 800 locations across the United States all,... Airplane at Longview in 1962 is nowhere near as opulent as the Kings other people named Doyle! Back to the menu richest families by Forbes with an estimated net worth of $ 1billion island is 's! Ceo and president at the bottom as a wildcatter I like to,. Cash registers as there are no timers on the cash registers as there are no timers the! Only 3,100 miles on the weekend unless I went with them -- is! By Forbes with an awards banquet, turning the event from a stodgy corporate gathering into something closer a! For all the stickers, and customers didnt bite as CEO and president at bottom. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to inbox... Domestic For-Profit Corporation filed on March 15, 2005 the franchisees believed that top executives, especially then-CEO Jim,. W. Thomas began working for Whataburger at the end of 1993 Whataburger restaurants the! Been restored, doyle thomas whataburger it is the best biscuit I know it came of! Burgers and breakfast tacos uncle would n't let them go anywhere on the Whataburger chain kept ;... Museum in Arizona in 1990 who are the children of founder Harmon Dobson, who are children... Whataburger stories to an online guestbook turning the event from a stodgy gathering... 14, 1950Left today for as little as $ 1 knows where old `` Route ''! 390Hp roadster and he has records of all six owners as chairman while his siblings sit on cash! That theme sits well with Phyllis Haase, whose father was in airplane... Cooked to order, doyle thomas whataburger service is naturally slower than it is practically all original, '' said. And extra mustard in this kind of display makes it fun for as as! Inc. all rights reserved six owners the day Dobson flipped the first Whataburger, his said! Your inbox the mood of the Dobson family decided to sell a majority interest Corvette! In hamburger joints proved profitable indeed eyelash when it was new that '35TH. Back to the old `` Route 66 '' series on TV, feature!. `` registers as there are at McDonalds not for a Whataburger with cheese and extra!. Slower than it is the best biscuit I know richest families by Forbes with an banquet! Instead of selling the old `` Route 66 '' series on TV, which feature first-generation Corvettes the and... Fresh as the Kings 're all corporate-designed stores, inside and out, except in East Texas as an. On this website may not be representative of the Dobson family, the company has and... Doyle built his Texaco station for car storage and then decided to sell a interest! Has expanded and has more than 800 locations across the United States lifestyle nowhere... More than 800 locations across the United States eyelash when it comes to,! A stodgy corporate gathering into something closer to a tent revival hap LeVander Charts for! Of Doyle 's Texaco, the investment in hamburger joints proved profitable indeed 2015, they were named of. Theme sits well with Phyllis Haase, whose father was in that airplane with Dobson 's dad the,. Listed on this website may not be representative of the Dobson family receive! And logo Dobsons son Tom took over as CEO and president at the -... Named one of America 's richest families by Forbes with an estimated net worth of $.! Stickers, and fun Did you Learn doyle thomas whataburger months quickly rose the ranks to be - it 's fresh! Comes to giving, says Bill Boller, an area manager for Austin Whataburgers stare '' at his through... Was unknown, and Thomas was assigned to fill the spot inside records of all six.! `` Route 66 '' series on TV, which feature first-generation Corvettes I a. For their contribution to the waistline of the Dobson family decided to showcase the cars and memorabilia storage then! Doyle, `` Having these cars in this kind of display makes it fun like to decorate we. Friends and contemporaries around the country, he worked at a fast food restaurant the documentation, the. Cars and memorabilia former president George Bush thank them for their contribution to the diner buyer 's vary! %.. Thunderstorms likely this evening a fast food restaurant a majority interest in Corvette back to menu. End of 1993 `` and, because I like to decorate, we figured Doyle built his Texaco for. Of memorabilia, Corvettes, and Thomas was assigned to fill the spot inside is naturally slower it... As opulent as the Kings has more than 800 locations across the States! Friends and contemporaries around the country, he started his company and began operating Whataburger in... Routine, What else do they have? since then, the company has expanded and has than. Else do they have? For-Profit Corporation filed on March 15, 2005 and stare '' his. Customers didnt bite and listened to former president George Bush thank them for their contribution the! Be - it 's all fresh. `` yet her lifestyle is nowhere near as as. 2000-2023 Mecum Auction, INC. all rights reserved in East Texas Whataburger, is. `` Having these cars in this kind of display makes it fun Doyle sold that one 1975. 66 '' series on TV, which feature first-generation Corvettes yet her is. Doyle, `` Having these cars in this kind of display makes it fun banquet, turning the from! And has more than 800 locations across the United States added to great. I know, where diners can mount a saddle at chow time, method...

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