John Coffelt, Editor

Developers said during a Manchester Planning Meeting on Sept. 16 that proposed Whataburger restaurant should open sometime near the end of 2025.

Senior Project Manager Charles “Chip” Ashley for Kimley-Horn presented the site plan to the commission, which approved the plans unanimously.

Whataburger will be located next to Chick-fil-a on the Hillsboro Highway. It will have a double drive-through lane and over 30 parking spaces.

The site will have entrances on Hillsboro Highway and one on Joe Hickerson Road. The Tennessee Department of Transportation did not require a traffic study, according to Manchester Codes Department.

The development is upstream on the wastewater system from a chronic overflow in the Manchester sewer system. No word was given at the meeting if that situation would delay the projected opening date. 

Whataburger is a 24/7 restaurant opened in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Now the chain has over 1,000 restaurants in 16-states. Breakfast is served from 11 p.m. until 11 a.m.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.