This Johnson County city will get its first Whataburger, backed by Patrick Mahomes
Whataburger is planning a restaurant in Gardner — its first in the city.
The new location will be built near West 188th Street and Gardner Road, said Jay Battle, chief operating officer for Whataburger franchise group KMO Burger. It will be catty-corner from the QuikTrip.
Construction has yet to begin, but it will be a six-month build-out. Battle said it will likely open sometime next year.
“We’ve been eyeing Gardner for quite a while, and we’re excited about serving it and Edgerton,” Battle said.
Selling burgers, patty melts, breakfast sandwiches, Whataburger opened its first Kansas City area location in 2021 at 1450 N.E. Douglas St. in Lee’s Summit. Since then, it’s added several more spots.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a partner in KMO Burger, which opened its first Whataburger in 2022. Mahomes is from Texas, where Whataburger is based.
“It’s great to bring a gift from my first home to my second home,” Mahomes said in a release at the time.
His franchise group now has locations in Kansas City, Kansas; Overland Park; Olathe; Parkville and more.
Battle said the group will open a location in Lawrence at 707 W. 23rd St. in late October or early November.
KMO Burger is also looking to open a location in Topeka, possibly next year. Its website lists a possible Raytown location for 2026.