Whataburger Plans First Asheville Restaurant
The Texas burger chain will open its first Asheville location in West Asheville, with construction set to begin soon.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Whataburger has confirmed it will open its first Asheville restaurant at 275 Smokey Park Highway, Suite 400, in West Asheville. The Citizen Times reported in spring that the restaurant planned to open after submitting permits.
Why it matters
The restaurant adds a national fast-food chain to a West Asheville corridor already home to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Applebee's Grill and Bar. It also signals continued commercial investment along Smokey Park Highway for Asheville residents.
Whataburger opened two Hickory, North Carolina locations earlier this year and is tentatively slated to open its Asheville restaurant in Spring 2027. The exact construction start date has not been confirmed.
The players
Whataburger
Whataburger is a Texas-founded fast-food burger chain that has been a Southern staple since 1950 and is expanding into Asheville.
The details
The restaurant will occupy Suite 400 at 275 Smokey Park Highway, between Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Applebee's Grill and Bar. Whataburger, founded in Texas, has been a Southern staple since 1950.
Timeline
Spring 2026: The Citizen Times reported the restaurant planned to open after submitting permits.
Earlier in 2026: Two Whataburger locations opened in Hickory, North Carolina.
October 2026: 7 Brew Coffee opened at 167 Smokey Park Highway in West Asheville.
Soon: Construction is expected to begin at the Smokey Park Highway site.
Spring 2027: Whataburger is tentatively slated to open in Asheville.
Market Landscape
Whataburger's Asheville plans follow its recent expansion into Hickory, North Carolina, where it opened two locations earlier this year. The West Asheville site places the chain alongside national competitors such as Popeyes and Applebee's along a busy commercial corridor.
Asheville diners will gain a new fast-food option in West Asheville once the restaurant opens. Residents can expect the chain's menu and pricing to be available locally after the Spring 2027 opening.
The takeaway
The Asheville opening shows national fast-food chains continuing to target growing North Carolina markets like West Asheville. Residents interested in new dining options can watch the Smokey Park Highway site as construction begins.
What happens next
Construction is expected to begin soon at the Smokey Park Highway site, with the restaurant tentatively slated to open in Spring 2027.
Further reading
For more local business openings, browse Openings & Closings in Asheville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Blueridgenow.
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