Whataburger looks ready to touch down in Asheville, with fresh permit filings indicating the Texas-born burger chain plans to turn a former Popeyes into a new restaurant at 275 Smokey Park Highway, Unit 400 in West Asheville. The paperwork calls for interior remodeling and exterior paint work, but it does not spell out a construction schedule or target opening date.
According to MySA, two permits submitted May 18 describe a "complete conversion" of the existing building into a Whataburger and are currently under review by city staff. Those filings outline plans for interior updates and new exterior paint, and MySA notes the outlet has reached out to Whataburger for comment.
City planning records reviewed by 828newsNOW show a Level I planning application submitted by Julio Gutierrez of Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, with SKS Partners LLC listed as the property owner. The application is still in the plan-check phase, and a May 18 entry adds a notice regarding landscaping and site requirements.
Where It Would Sit
The 0.86-acre parcel is part of a busy retail stretch along Smokey Park Highway that already mixes national chains with local food spots. A listing on LoopNet shows 275 Smokey Park Highway marketed as a multi-tenant retail property, which suggests the project would adapt an existing storefront rather than launch a brand-new build.
Whataburger's Carolinas Push
Whataburger opened its first North Carolina restaurant in Gastonia in May 2025 and has kept rolling out additional locations across the state, according to Whataburger. The chain already lists restaurants in and around Charlotte, Raleigh and several other North Carolina markets, and many of those spots advertise 24-hour service, a schedule that has long powered Whataburger's late-night following. Whataburger provides a town-by-town directory of its North Carolina locations.
What To Watch Next
For now, the Smokey Park Highway proposal remains in the city's review queue, so approvals, site permits or required design tweaks could all affect the timeline. MySA reports the outlet has contacted Whataburger for comment, and residents who want to keep tabs on the process can follow updates through the City of Asheville development portal.
Local Reaction
Public reaction online has been split, with some locals cheering the prospect of another late-night option and others uneasy about another national brand edging into Asheville's food scene. A discussion thread on the Asheville subreddit, hosted on Reddit, captures that tension, as commenters debate whether a Texas burger chain fits comfortably with the city's independent-leaning culinary identity.
