Angel was a bit more adventurous than Dobson, though both crashed several times in Africa while mining for diamonds. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. Our Story TGFF Wow! Victim Dies of Injuries Sustained in Crash of Flight 232 Insiders still refer to this time in the companys history as the dead zone. Profits fell as the company overreached by opening stores in saturated markets like Las Vegas and adding menu items, like popcorn shrimp salad, that customers didnt want. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. The Harmon Rocket two-seat sport plane . The struggles that Dobson endured building such an important food chain are inspiring. Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. They werent in a hurry to expand, and they rarely if ever expanded outside their comfort zone and their target market.. Charities like cancer research, childrens education, child abuse prevention, and hunger are still dear to the companys heart. Failed to remove flower. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held. This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. Whataburger proposed breaking the stalemate by approving the Laredo location only if Reese agreed to relinquish its lower royalty rate and give Whataburger veto power over all site selections, the lawsuit claims. Perhaps the Depression stuck with young Harmon because food was important to him long after tough economic times had ended. Two die after small plane crashes in field southwest of Edmonton It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. Family tree of Harmon Dobson - Geneastar Beechcraft Model 18. Piloting a B-25 bomber, Harmon was flying with five other men through a thunderstorm when the plane's right wing tore away. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. After the Second World War ended, Harmon settled on buying used cars, which became profitable. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? In 1969, Grace became chairman of the board. Five of the crew died while waiting, and the remaining seven . The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. Wikipedia. Dobson then bounced around a lot after that work on the Suez Canal in Egypt, and then in Bahrain where he was in charge of a construction of a mess hall. As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies. For many years the Andrews family has been instrumental to Whataburgers success. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. I enjoyed reading the little journal entries included in this article because it makes it more unique and gives it a more personal feeling to what Dobson had been feeling and thinking as he was starting up Whataburger. based on information from your browser. The Andrews family has been very special to Whataburger through the years, said Whataburgers corporate chief, Preston Atkinson, during the ceremony. Weve updated the security on the site. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Tagged With: Historical Figures, Legacies. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. Harmon's is not the only plane crash to go against the drop in accidents that the War Department are reporting. Dobson wrote about his success during the first couple of days Whataburger opened in his journal. Other publicly traded restaurant companies have made similar moves recently. In Jefferson, Kitts Kornbread Turns Familiar Fare Into Something Special. He wanted this burgers to be so delicious that it would make a person yell, What a burger! This inspired the naming of his company. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. At least 2 injuries reported after plane crash in Houston, Texas - CNN New Year's Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: . Harmon Dobson was born in 1913 in Wayne, Oklahoma, to Hugh and Ethel Dobson. Although he missed college, Harmon was determined to make his way in the world. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. Great article! Harmon Dobson died in a plane crash in 1967, and his widow, Grace (whose first date with Harmon was at Whataburger #3, in Corpus), ran things until the first outsider, Jim Peterson, took. 9 Intense Plane Crashes Caused By Stalls Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation 3.2M views 2 years ago 8 Bad Weather Plane Crashes Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian. Two years later, three Corpus Christi locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, much to the delight of hungry patrons. Great job on your article Courtney! Four of six Bar-Kays members died: Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Jimmy King and Carl Cunningham. In fact, people love representing Whataburger so much, they rush out to get the latest Whataburger swag: from Whataburger sunglasses to Whataburger sneakers, t-shirts, sweaters, and hats. Rocky Mountain House airport manager one of 2 dead in plane crash - CBC Harmon Dobson - Wikiwand One part of this strategy, the lawsuit contends, is to buy out franchisees with an eye toward taking the company public; gaining greater control over its franchise operations could provide greater value to future shareholders. Dobson filled that need by buying used autos from urban areas like Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and selling them back in Batesville for huge profits. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. The likeness of Andrews, wearing a cowboy hat and mounted on a limestone pedestal, was commissioned to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the oldest franchise of the iconic Texas burger chain. The Alice franchise was a quick success, and over the decades Whataburger and the Andrews familys company, Whataburger of Alice (WOA), grew in tandem. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? Whataburger had commissioned the "Flying W" company logo and had expanded to 40 locations in four states. As one of the largest franchisees, WOA was hit particularly hard by this arrangement. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. She did not like to drive, so for years he picked her up and drove her to monthly USO meetings. Their business completed the next day, on April 11, 1967, and the men were going back home. In exchange, his company got renewed assurances of its exclusive rights to develop stores in Bee, Jim Wells, and Webb counties and locked in a royalty rate lower than that assigned to other franchisees. After he was killed in a plane crash in 1967, his wife, Grace, took . The new CEO and president of Whataburger was Tom Dobson, the son of Harmon and Grace Dobson. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Eventually, more people came to eat the fresh, large burgers. In June 1950, Dobson was granted the Whataburger name trademark. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. Whataburger has been highly successful in a very competitive market, says Stephen Barth, a professor of law and leadership at the University of Houstons Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. But the rift between the Andrews family and the burger chain they helped build represents a struggle between the past and the present, and between two families who have known each other for a long time. 10 Infamous US Plane Crashes | Smithsonian Channel - YouTube It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. UPLAND, Pa. (AP) _ A former New Jersey state trooper severely injured in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, last month has died, a hospital spokeswoman said. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Tom Dobson. Two people killed in plane crash near Thorsby: RCMP Lawrence Jagmin, of . Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. This account has been disabled. At age 16, Dobson was accepted into the University of Missouri to study journalism, but was forced to return to his family farm soon after attending due to a family crisis at home due to the Great Depression. This was interesting article especially since it was about a burger that is highly famous here in Texas. Numbers went from 600 to 950 burgers per day.10, August 4, 1951- Proud to be the beginning of what may be a lifelong business. Fifty years after standing in line at the first Whataburger where he made friends with Grace Dobson, local businessmen Robert Adler was on hand earlier this year when his friend "Lady Grace" threw out the first pitch at the opening of Whataburger Field. The ceremony wasnt mere sentiment at work. He kicked off New Year's Day 1950 with a. There is even a Whataburger race car and a Whataburger field in Corpus Christi that hosts a minor league baseball team. Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . Theres no question that Whataburger, if managed properly in the public market, could deliver a significant return, he says. They have also hosted Wow fund-raising events where they combine fun community activities with charitable giving. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. Peterson resigned in 1993. I was also unaware of its background nor founder Harmon Dobson. Being proud of everything we do. And as long as they can still get their Green Chile Double Whataburgers or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, they probably dont care. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. However, Dobson found success to be lonely. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. Harmon Dobson was sixteen years old on Black Friday, but this first Black Friday was no shopping extravaganza: it marked the most devastating stock market crash in United States history. Oops, something didn't work. By March 5, the couple was married. Mary Lynne and Hugh are both members of the board of directors. She is survived by two sons, Thomas and Hugh Dobson; a daughter, Lynne Dobson; three sisters, Lola Stettler, Louise Abbot and Jean Florie; and five grandchildren. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. I always found it kind of weird that Whataburger has mostly been a Texas obsession and it amazes me that when they expanded to Memphis and Las Vegas, business declined. Search above to list available cemeteries. [1] In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. During this time he traveled to North Africa where he helped build a U.S. Navy base and worked on airplane hangars, radio towers, tanks, and whatever else the Navy needed. The war was over, and his adventure had ended. You can count real friends on one hand. Saturday, May 24, 2014 Plane Crash After I went to the library earlier this week, I found something Interesting as I was going through my notes. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. Serving it hot and fresh, 24/7. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. The plane was bound for Love Field in Dallas when it went down at 5:16 P.M. according to Mitch Barket, a Federal Aviation Admistration spokesman. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. A Douglas C-124C Globemaster II plane, serial 52-1062, was damaged beyond repair in an accident 10 km from Stephenville-Harmon AFB, NL (YJT), Canada. They were finally recovered earlier this month after five months of rescue attempts. Also, Whataburger expanded to places such as Las Vegas and Memphis, where the company was unknown, leading to a lack of customers purchasing food. Instead, during the next 38 years, the Whataburger matriarch, who died of complications from cancer Thursday in a local hospital at age 80, played an integral part in growing the hamburger chain into the eighth largest in the nation. [2] Dobson spent most of his early life working on his parents' cattle farm. [6] According to witnesses, Dobson was apparently taking off in a steep climb when both engines on the plane failed at around 75 to 100 feet (23 to 30m) in the sky and then plummeted back into the ground. New specialty items included the Whataburger Patty Melt and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich. Add to your scrapbook. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . I have so much fun talking to the young employees about the early Whataburger. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Born:? Whataburger, which saw San Antonio as a key growth market, filed suit to block the sale. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. He started his first establishment in 1950 as a large "wooden box" stand. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. His parents had reason to worry. The 70s was a decade of Whataburger milestones. A host of new menu items was unveiled, including the Whatameal, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips and more. Dobson agreed, and the Alice store opened a year later. [7] The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) summary classifies the accident type as a stall. Andrews, a longtime friend of Whataburger founder Harmon Dobsons, wasnt simply the companys first franchisee, he was its most successful, opening dozens of locations in Texas and helping the chain build its reputation. Were not making much profit but at least they are going fast for our product.7, August 12, 1950- Big Day 141.80 What a workhouse 551 hamburgers.8, Dobson realized the presentation of his burgers mattered. Make sure that the file is a photo. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. 1967 Press Photo Plane Crash Kill Harmon Dobson & Luther Sneed This was a very interesting story to tell! Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. Burton wanted to cut back on the product, convinced that customers would not pay that much. Online ordering through Whataburgers app and website debuted in 2019. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Harmon Archibald Dobson [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. This is a great article and very informative! Police say the Harmon Rocket a two-seat sport plane caught fire after the crash, and both a man and a woman were found deceased inside the aircraft. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Harmon Archibald Dobson I found on Findagrave.com. ! Then they ask, whats a picture show? I try to explain drive in movies to them. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. The children grew up working in the restaurants and are still a part of what makes Whataburger great today. Lady Grace and the Whataburger Legend - Texasliving However, after only four months, Dobson grew restless and returned to the U.S. By August of that year, he returned home. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. I never knew that Dobsons initial intent was to try and strike oil here in Texas. Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. I had no idea that the founder of Whataburger started in the oil business! It was the first Whataburger restaurant outside the state of Texas. "She was a very shy woman, who didn't want the limelight," Adler said Friday. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Earlier this year, Andrewss company, now run by his daughter, Kathy Andrews Reese, sued the restaurant chain, claiming that Whataburger had reneged on a 22-year-old agreement between the two companies. Yet, I find it insane that Dobson died so tragically and unexpectedly before he could see his fast food chain truly flourish and gain a big following from many Texans and others from different states. No major injuries were reported when a Boston-bound plane carrying more than 20 people struck a fence and erupted in flames while taking off at Houston Executive Airport on Tuesday morning,. Harmon Dobson died in a plane crash in 1967, and his widow, Grace (whose first date with Harmon was at Whataburger #3, in Corpus), ran things until the first outsider, Jim Peterson, took over in the early seventies. Its so interesting that he aimed to create a burger that would require hands to hold it. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. In 2017 alone, Whataburger partnered with over 600 charities across its ten-state service area, donating over $5 million. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. in 2013. She was very excited about that." The prosperity lasted until 1967 when Dobson and his friend Gene Crane were killed in a plane crash in La Porte, where they had stopped to refuel. The story of Dobson was well written here. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. New menu additions soon followed, including the Breakfast On A Bun, Whatachick'nand the now-famous breakfast Taquitos. It was fascinating to see that the burger/fast food chain that Dobson created (along with other people) would end up becoming the most notable food item in Texas. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. The University of Houstons Barth says such changes arent unusual in a company that has grown to Whataburgers size. For the Andrews family, this shift in corporate culture first became apparent two years ago, when it told the company headquarters, which had moved from Corpus to San Antonio in 2009, that it wanted to open a new store in Laredo. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. List of fatalities from aviation accidents - Wikipedia However, the oil business would prove to be about as profitable for Dobson as the diamond business. Statue of the Founder of Whataburger, Corpus Christi, Texas January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. When he opened the first stand, on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, he envisioned selling a burger big enough that it would take two hands to hold it. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. At first, Harmon was content to help his parents on the farm, but his wanderlust eventually returned, calling him elsewhere. Harmon Dobson - Google Search In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. The company also passed the 500-store threshold, making it the nation's eighth-largest hamburger chain. Following that, he worked at the New York Shipbuilding Company, which, at the time, was the worlds largest boat-builder for the U.S. Navy. Harmon Archibald Dobson (1913-1967) - Find a Grave Memorial It isnt a small business anymore, and to keep ahead of the competition, it may have to start acting its size. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. Whataburger was a burgeoning business, but profits were minimal. A system error has occurred. My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. They really caught on early to the adage that pioneers get slaughtered and settlers get the land, he says. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians, The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition. Harmon Dobson | Military Wiki | Fandom If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Great article! In my personal opinion, I am glad he did not succeed in striking oil because I would not have been able to enjoy Whataburger. Its a place people count on in their communities. Andrews developed a close relationship with Dobson; he even coined the companys popular slogan, We build a bigger, better burger., Today, those oversized burgers and the promise of fresh ingredients generate annual sales of $1.8 billion, making Whataburger the thirty-third-largest restaurant chain in the countryand the second-largest founded and based in Texas, after Chilis. [2] She ultimately refused to sell the company, wanting it to be kept in the family, and became chairwoman of the board of Whataburger until her death in 2005. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. This browser does not support getting your location. Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. After her husband died, Grace Dobson surrounded herself with a management team, became chairwoman of the board and grew the business to more than 600 company-owned and franchised stores - and raised three children as a single parent. By the end of 1936, he had a net worth of $35,000.

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