New SC Whataburger opening soon, paying for local students’ Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade trip

Whataburger is opening its third South Carolina location on Monday with a donation to Mauldin High School to help the Mavettes dance team participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Operating Partner Jolene Clayton will present the check at 11 a.m. at the restaurant at 308 W Butler Drive, Mauldin, to Mauldin High School to help students participate in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Mavettes is a pom dance spirit squad that performs at each home football game and pep rallies.

Whataburger also will offer on opening day Whataburger for a Year Gift Boxes to the first two guests in the drive-thru and the first two in line in the dining room. The next 200 guests will receive Whataburger gift packs.

Already open are Whataburgers in Boiling Springs and on Woodruff Road in Greenville.

Whataburger, a national chain based in Texas and not associated with the locally owned What-A-Burger, intends to open six more restaurants between now and fall.

So far, the restaurant’s opening days have been two weeks apart.

They have been well received, with neighbors reporting lots of traffic, sometimes needing help from police and private security. All Whataburger locations are open 24 hours seven days a week, except Christmas Day.

The next on a list put out by the company earlier this year is 1185 Dutch Fork Road in Irmo, listed as opening in summer. Victor Trevino, public relations manager of Whataburger, said Thursday he did not have an update on the opening of that store.

The restaurant chain, founded in 1950, has more than 1,030 locations. Its entry into South Carolina marks 16 states, which the company is calling Sweet 16.

Trevino confirmed the other South Carolina Whataburgers this year are:

● Late Summer 2024 2900 Main St., Anderson, 29621

● Fall 2024 202 Bridgeberry Lane, Columbia, 29203

● Fall 2024 1941 E Main St., Spartanburg, 29307

● Fall 2024 1510 WO. Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg, 29301

● Fall 2024 888 S. Lake Drive, Lexington, 29072

● Late Fall 5648 Calhoun Memorial Parkway, Easley 29640