Whataburger era is here: Triangle unveils long-awaited fast food giant
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Whataburger opened its first Triangle location in Wake Forest on March 26.
- Wake Forest site is a 3,300 sq ft double drive-thru at Grove 98, across from Wegmans.
- Raleigh location opens April 9. At least two more Triangle locations expected this year.
The Triangle’s Whataburger era starts now.
After years of anticipation, the beloved Texas burger brand opened the first Triangle location in Wake Forest on Thursday, March 26.
The new restaurant is at 489 Dr. Calvin Jones Highway in Wake Forest’s Grove 98 development, right across the highway from Wegmans.
The hype for Whataburger has been building for years, since the brand started quietly filing construction plans across the state. The very first Whataburger opened near Charlotte nearly one year ago and since then, the fast food chain has opened a dozen more restaurants.
Wake Forest Whataburger
In Wake Forest, you’ll find a stand-alone double drive-thru 3,300 square foot building.
“Our team is excited to introduce Whataburger’s bold, made-to-order favorites to the Wake Forest and Raleigh communities with our new openings,” Whataburger brand leader Shirley Belue said in a news release. “We want our restaurants to be more than just a place to grab a burger — our team is committed to making North Carolina a priority market and continuing to put down roots, while also supporting local schools and organizations, and building genuine connections with the neighbors we’re proud to serve.”
The Wake Forest Whataburger opened at 9 a.m. Thursday and will operate daily until 2 a.m. for now. One of Whataburger’s signatures is staying open 24 hours a day.
The brand is best known for its vintage vibes and branding, including a popular online merch store. The burgers are modeled after old school roadside stands and Whataburger stokes its passionate following with a line of sauces, from gravy to jalapeño ranch to spicy ketchup.
More to come
In just two weeks, Whataburger will add its second Triangle location and first in Raleigh. On Tuesday, April 9, Whataburger will open at 501 Six Forks Road in Raleigh.
At least two more are also expected this year in Raleigh and Garner.
This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 12:50 PM.
