Whataburger Delays Appeal for 24-Hour Drive-Thru on Laurens Road
Whataburger’s appeal for a 24-hour drive-thru at a planned Laurens Road location nearly came back before the Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals on April 11. The fast food chain requested a deferral by email on April 10. The next opportunity to appeal to the board is May 9.
The business is seeking a special exception permit in a Mixed Use 2 (MX-2) district. The issue was also deferred in March after a denial in September 2023. The special exception permit would allow operation of the business between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.
Whataburger has significant expansion plans in the Upstate, with at least eight locations expected to open in the next few years.
According to the Greenville Journal, Whataburger’s proposed 24-hour drive-thru on Laurens Road has been delayed again. The fast food chain, which is seeking a special exception permit in a Mixed Use 2 (MX-2) district, requested a deferral on April 10, pushing the appeal date to May 9. This is the second time the issue has been delayed, following a previous denial in September 2023. Whataburger has plans to open at least eight locations in the Upstate in the coming years.
The proposed Whataburger location in Greenville has faced opposition from some local residents and business owners who are concerned about noise, traffic, and the impact on neighboring properties. In September 2023, the Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals denied Whataburger’s request for a special exception permit due to these concerns. The deferral in March and now the current deferral in April have allowed the company to gather additional information and make revisions to its proposal in hopes of garnering approval from the board.
If approved, the special exception permit would allow Whataburger to operate its drive-thru between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. Whataburger currently operates 24-hour drive-thru restaurants in other locations, and the company believes that offering extended hours on Laurens Road would be beneficial for both its customers and the community.
Whataburger is known for its made-to-order burgers and famous “Whataburger Jr.” sandwiches. The chain first opened its doors in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950 and has since expanded to over 800 locations across the United States.
The planned Laurens Road location for Whataburger is part of the company’s larger expansion plans in the Upstate. In addition to the proposed drive-thru on Laurens Road, Whataburger has announced plans to open at least seven other locations in the area in the coming years. These new restaurants are expected to bring job opportunities and economic growth to the region.
Local residents and business owners who oppose the proposed Whataburger drive-thru have raised concerns about the potential impact on traffic and noise in the area. They believe that a 24-hour drive-thru could exacerbate existing traffic issues and disrupt the tranquility of the neighborhood.
Supporters of Whataburger argue that the restaurant would bring much-needed variety to the dining options in Greenville. They believe that the company’s expansion plans would create jobs and boost the local economy.
In September 2023, the Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals denied Whataburger’s initial request for a special exception permit. The board cited concerns about traffic congestion, noise, and the potential impact on neighboring properties. Following the denial, Whataburger submitted a revised proposal and requested a deferral to address these concerns.
Since then, Whataburger has been working to gather additional information and revise its proposal to address the concerns raised by local residents and business owners. The company is hopeful that the changes made to its plan will satisfy the requirements for a special exception permit.
Whataburger is known for its commitment to quality, with all burgers made-to-order and its famous “Whataburger Jr.” sandwiches. The company has a loyal following and is frequently mentioned in lists of the best burger chains in the country.
The appeal for the 24-hour drive-thru on Laurens Road is now scheduled to be heard by the Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals on May 9. Whataburger is optimistic that its revised proposal will be approved, allowing the company to move forward with its expansion plans in the Upstate.
