The first Whataburger in Wake County will open in March. Where to find it
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Whataburger will open in Wake Forest in early March at Grove 98 site.
- The Wake Forest building is 3,305 sq ft with a double drive-thru.
- Wake County will get three Whataburgers; North Carolina totals reach 11.
The Triangle’s first Whataburger will open in about a month and a half.
After years of mounting anticipation, the beloved burger brand opened its first North Carolina location in 2025 and has continued adding locations ever since. There are now 11 Whataburgers in the state, with the most recent addition in Mebane in December.
Now it’s Wake County’s turn.
Wake Forest Whataburger
The first Triangle location will open in Wake Forest in early March, according to Whataburger reps. The restaurant is nearing completion at 489 Calvin Jones Hwy., in the Grove 98 development across from Wegmans.
The Wake Forest Whataburger is a stand-alone 3,305 square feet building with a double drive-thru.
Ubiquitous and cherished in Texas, Whataburger stands out in the regional fast food crowd by operating 24 hours a day, offering a roster of signature sauces and is famous for its bold retro styling.
Whataburger menu
A reporting team from The News & Observer traveled to Mebane in December to scout the Whataburger experience, rank the food and offer tips for ordering.
Wake Forest is one of three planned Whataburger locations in Wake County, with restaurants in Raleigh at 6305 Falls Of Neuse Road and 501 E. Six Forks Road to follow. The Six Forks Road location is expected to be the second Triangle opening, beginning service in the spring.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 9:15 AM.
