Vibe Restaurants recently entered a new phase of growth with the opening of its first Whataburger unit in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The Vibe team and their new family members finally cut the ribbon to mark the grand opening of this long anticipated event!
The new restaurant is the first of 15 Whataburger restaurants planned over the next five years in the Oklahoma City and Western Oklahoma markets. The Weatherford community took the lead in the Grand Opening celebration, which occurred on September 12th, with the enthusiastic spirit and lively music from the Weatherford High School Band and SWOSU College.
Months of meticulous planning paid off resulting in a seamless opening without any challenges or delays. “Our Whataburger Family has been hard at work, and we are so excited to serve up the brand’s signature, bold flavors and warm hospitality to new friends and neighbors in Weatherford,” said Key Operator Charla Saberi-Nikou during the construction process, who will oversee the restaurant and lead a team of 150 Family Members, or Whataburger employees. “We’re already feeling the love from the community and are so excited to be open in Weatherford!”
The Weatherford Whataburger joins 115 Little Caesars and Wingstop restaurants in Vibe Restaurant’s portfolio.
From a market perspective, this unit has not only met but exceeded company expectations, reaching its financial targets without neglecting the human side of business. The team has garnered praise for nurturing and developing over 22 managers from within nearby Whataburger locations in Council and Mustang. This has cultivated a remarkable working environment that prioritizes the well-being of its members, as all 145 new hires are not merely employees but valued members of the Vibe family.
"As the CEO of Vibe Restaurants, our strategic decision to join the Whataburger Family was guided by a shared cultural ethos, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a mutual dedication to creating exceptional dining experiences. Both Vibe Restaurants and Whataburger share a commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences, a dedication to our people, and high-quality food. Whataburger's iconic brand status, coupled with their impressive unit level economics, aligns seamlessly with our strategic vision for growth and operational excellence. Together, with our robust operating platform and Vibe's strong presence in the Oklahoma market, we are poised to elevate the dining experience and bring even more flavor to the communities we serve."
—Irfaan Lalani, Vibe Restaurants CEO
The new Whataburger restaurant is open 24 hours a day and features a double drive-thru, online ordering and curbside pickup. Located just off I-40 in Weatherford, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. The corporate support teams and the crew at Whataburger Council and Mustang deserve the full recognition of the entire company for creating the ideal training environment that made this opening possible.
The Vibe Team hopes that this warm welcome from the community signifies the start of a close-knit relationship that will leave a lasting impact on people and the Quick Service Restaurant industry. They aim to embrace differentiation, community, and tradition, building success on their shared passion for delivering an exceptional dining experience.
Vibe plans to further expand its presence in the Oklahoma City market, so stay tuned and join us on this exciting journey!