Following an anticipation by local food enthusiasts, Whataburger is launching its third Knox County outpost on 500 E. Emory Road in Powell, setting the date for the grand opening on Monday. According to WVLT, this new installation of the Texas-based fast-food chain maintains a 24/7 schedule, excluding Christmas, and will introduce 60 job opportunities to the community.
Further details provided by WATE reveal the initial operational focus will be solely on drive-thru service. Rolling out additional services is on the agenda, including dine-in, carry-out, and digital options for ordering through the Whataburger app and website for pickup and delivery, housed in a venue paying homage to the regional identity with "Powell" emblazoned on its walls.
The chain’s growth in Knox County signifies a continued economic expansion, with the Powell location being the latest move by franchisee MWB Restaurants. They have previously launched Whataburger spots in Turkey Creek and near the University of Tennessee on Cumberland Avenue, meeting the tastes of a diversely growing population. The brand itself has burgeoned from a single hamburger stand in 1950 to operate more than 1,100 locations, as noted by Whataburger’s corporate communication.
A fresh start in an old Steak 'n' Shake building, the new Powell branch, comes with a vision of becoming a local hub for meals and meet-ups. "Knox County is growing quickly, and we want to ensure we have the locations necessary to meet the demand for Whataburger’s bold, fresh flavors," Operating Partner Raven Burriss conveyed in an interview with WBIR. Burriss, ready to lead its 60-person team, envisions the site as a reliable dining option for various customer needs.
The expansion into Powell underlines Whataburger's strategy to penetrate more deeply into East Tennessee's burgeoning market. With two other successful launches in the past few months, the brand's footprint in Knox County is getting harder to miss for anyone with a craving for a burger at any hour—particularly as the Powell location primes itself to serve the nocturnal crowd around the clock and even on all major holidays, except when Santa comes to town.
