John Coffelt, Editor

Whataburger has recently paused for the foreseeable future its plans for a Manchester location.

According to John Roberts Sr., the developer has pulled out from the purchase of the property on the Hillsboro Highway citing a downward trend in nationwide sales.

“They have declined to come for the foreseeable future,” Roberts said. “I don’t know if they will ever look at us again.”

Roberts said that the reason the developer gave for the move had nothing at all to do with the city, or the sewer system.

“They were two weeks away from closing on the deal and they pulled up and left. It had nothing to do with Manchester’s size, Manchester not fitting anything they wanted as far as checking boxed. They just didn’t come because their sales are so poor nationally they put everything on hold that wasn’t under physical construction,” he said.   

According to the Mayor’s Office, the location has a sewer tap and would not fall under the sewer moratorium.        

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 was planned for the lot next to Chick-fil-a on the Hillsboro Highway. 

A Whataburger spokesperson said that “Whataburger is proud to continue to operate and expand across Tennessee, with 17 restaurants currently operating and seven more planned to open in 2025 and 2026.

“We appreciate the enthusiastic response we’ve consistently received from the people of Tennessee and look forward to being part of many communities across the state, delivering Goodness 24/7 to our customers,” the person said via email. 

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.