Tucker community discuss plans for new Whataburger location

Made to Order Holdings and its architect, Warner Summers, provided updates to residents about its plans to build a Whataburger in Tucker at a Feb. 24 public participation meeting.

MTOH, the local franchisee for the popular burger chain, is interested in re-purposing a vacant Wendy’s restaurant at 4453 Hugh Howell Road to make way for the quick-serve restaurant with indoor seating and a drive-thru.

The business would require a request for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) as the restaurant is requesting a drive-thru. The community meeting is a requirement before considering the SLUP application.

Stephanie Deaton presented on behalf of architect Warner Summers at the public participation meeting at Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library. Seven attendees posed questions about the building size, landscaping buffer, and safety concerns. The restaurant expects to hire between 80 and 100 at the restaurant if plans are approved. Scholarships would also be available for students employed by Whataburger.

“It’s a great opportunity for Whataburger to be a part of the community and bring life back to a vacant building,” Deaton said.

Mixed reactions to project

Residents within 500 feet of the project received letters regarding the meeting, which included the original site plans. The size of the building has been updated to 2,300 square feet, Deaton said.

Other improvements to the site plan include a reduction in the paved surface, a monument sign instead of a pole sign, and the restaurant’s drive-thru order board and speaker will be placed away from residential areas. About 75 percent of Whataburger’s business is drive-thru service, Deaton said.

Andy Wood attended the Feb. 24 meeting and left feeling hopeful about the design and overall plan for the restaurant.

“I thought that the design fit the existing building perfectly and they would make a good neighbor,” Wood told Rough Draft Atlanta. “I was really impressed when they made the decision to remove some of the rear parking spaces to increase the nature buffer to decrease sound between the business and the homes behind it.”

Before the meeting, some residents expressed concerns about the 24-7 opening schedule in Tucker Facebook groups.

“I believe their 24-hour operation also includes the dining room which can be interesting late at night,” one resident wrote in a Facebook comment.

Those concerns were also expressed at the meeting. MTOH has plans to hire an off-duty police officer overnight to deter crime if needed, Deaton said.

District 3 Council Member Alexis Weaver said the next step is MTOH proceeding with its application to the city and city staff. Staff will make a recommendation about whether to approve the franchise owner’s application. If the recommendation is to approve, the plans will come to the council for two readings and a public hearing.

Weaver said she looks forward to reviewing the final plans for the project, but she does not have a formal opinion about approving the restaurant just yet.

“I am excited that we have businesses both local and national looking at how to invest in Tucker, particularly in adapting or re-developing vacant spaces,” Weaver said.

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