We went to Whataburger University and it's not what you think

Whataburger University, located on the Northeast Side, offers learning and promotion opportunities for Whataburger employees. Managers are groomed here to become leaders in the future. Whataburger University, located on the Northeast Side, offers learning and promotion opportunities for Whataburger employees. Managers are groomed here to become leaders in the future. Photo: Tyler White/SAEN Photo: Tyler White/SAEN Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close We went to Whataburger University and it's not what you think 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

When you think of something called Whataburger University, you probably think of a bunch of people in orange shirts learning how to cook burgers, fries and mix milk shakes. You may even think of all the delicious creations that could be concocted by a group of open-minded students experimenting with ingredients — think Honey Butter Milk Shake.

But, it's really nothing like that at all.

If you’re a member of the Whataburger “family” and you get noticed by the higher-ups, you have the chance to get nominated to go to school.

To be precise, Whataburger University, where the students are trained to lead and manage teams of at locations around the state. It’s a program designed to nominate employees for promotions within the company.

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Whataburger’s Rob Rodriguez, senior vice president of restaurant operations, said between 18-50 people are nominated from the restaurant's hundreds of locations throughout the several states each quarter to participate in a week-long training.

If you’re wanting to join in from the ground floor of Whataburger, you wouldn’t do so here, Rodriguez said. Cooks and cashiers gather their training through online courses.

“We have a very good career path laid out for them, and we very much believe in promoting our family members from within. So you have an opportunity to go from a cook or a cashier all the way up to becoming a manager or director,” Rodriguez said.

So, what takes place in the classrooms on this campus?

The participants in the programs learn the values and culture that make Whataburger what it is, Rodriguez said.

RELATED: Whataburger customers raised $50,000 for the San Antonio Food Bank by eating at the restaurant

Some participants do not have formal professional training, and they get a chance to build those skills through the program.

They take notes, tests and have study groups with each other, said Raymond Carruth, a current General Manager at a San Antonio-area Whataburger restaurant who went through the program in September.

They fly in candidates for the program from outside of Texas, as well, with some coming from as far as Florida to learn more about the company, Carruth said.

“It was nice to be in that classroom setting [and] out of the restaurant,” Carruth said. “I honestly saw it change a couple of people’s lives.”

He said some people were emotional following the program because they truly felt valued and needed by their employer.

Click through the slideshow to see some photos of the Whataburger University and its classrooms in action.

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite