GREENVILLE — Whataburger has withdrawn a request to open a 24/7 drive-thru along one major city thoroughfare, while a separate request for a nearby busy road will move ahead for city approval this week.
The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals will hear the fast-food chain’s request on May 9 for an all-hours drive-thru at what’s currently a TGI Friday’s restaurant on Woodruff Road in front of Target.
Board members were also scheduled to hear Whataburger’s request for a 24/7 Laurens Road drive-thru across from Chick-Fil-A and Cook Out, but the restaurant chain withdrew that request.
Whataburger said in a statement to The Post and Courier the withdrawal was made after “careful consideration and in consultation” with the city.
Last fall, the Laurens Road location was the target of intense pushback from nearby residents, who said they were concerned about traffic, noise, odors and potential disturbances from late-night customers.
The board denied the request, and the restaurant chain revived it after six months. The new request included barriers for noise and sound, and a promise to station a private security guard outside at night.
This summer, South Carolina’s first Whataburgers will open in the Upstate, with more than five locations projected to open before the end of the year.
“Although we regret the Laurens Road Whataburger location will not be moving forward, we are committed to opening other Whataburger locations throughout the Upstate region,” Whataburger said.
The company has identified alternate locations that are more in line with the city’s expectations, it said.
“Respecting the City’s concerns aligns with our corporate goals and business model, which emphasize the uniqueness and operational excellence of Whataburger and our desire to be a valued corporate and community partner,” Whataburger said.
The heavily commercial Woodruff Road location will mirror another Whataburger planned for the opposite side of Interstate 85, a major traffic artery for the southeastern United States.
Contractors would renovate the TGI Friday’s building to add a drive-thru and indoor and outdoor seating, according to the application packet posted by the city. From midnight to 5 a.m., only the drive-thru would operate.
Whataburger would be one of two tenants in the building. The other was not identified in the public application.
