Whataburger Returns to Orlando After 17 Years Near UCF
Whataburger Returns to Orlando After 17 Years Near UCF
Is Whataburger Back in Orlando?
Yes — after 17 years away, Whataburger officially returned to Orlando on Thursday, August 6, 2026, opening its first Central Florida location since 2009. For longtime Florida residents who remember the chain from years past, this is a genuine full-circle moment.
Where Is the New Whataburger Located?
The new location sits at 12305 E. Colonial Drive in the Waterford Lakes area, inside the Town Park Shopping Center near N. Alafaya Trail — just minutes from the University of Central Florida. It occupies the former Aussie Grill by Outback space, putting it right along one of the busiest commercial corridors in East Orlando, easily accessible for UCF students, area residents, and anyone traveling between downtown Orlando and the Space Coast.
Why Did Whataburger Leave Orlando in the First Place?
Whataburger first entered the Central Florida market back in 2005, with locations in southwest Orlando, Winter Park, and Melbourne. By 2009, all of those locations had closed due to underperformance. Since then, the Texas-based chain has grown to nearly 1,200 locations nationwide, with a strong presence in Jacksonville and the Panhandle — but Orlando has been without one for almost two decades, until now.
What Was Opening Day Like?
Fans didn’t waste any time. People began lining up the night before the grand opening, hoping to score one of the day’s biggest perks: free Whataburger for an entire year, awarded to the first two dine-in customers and the first two drive-thru customers. The first 20 cars and first 80 people in the store also walked away with limited-edition Whataburger swag. Construction on the new restaurant began back in February, and the finished space spans roughly 2,554 square feet.
What Are the Hours?
The new Waterford Lakes location operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week — dine-in and drive-thru both available around the clock, giving UCF students a genuine late-night option that wasn’t there before.
What Does This Mean for East Orlando and Waterford Lakes?
A national chain choosing to re-enter a market it left nearly two decades ago is a real vote of confidence in the area’s growth. For Orange County residents near Waterford Lakes and UCF, it’s one more sign of the ongoing commercial investment happening along the East Colonial corridor — alongside the retail and dining growth already reshaping other parts of the county.
Is Whataburger Opening More Central Florida Locations?
Yes — the Waterford Lakes location is just the beginning. Whataburger has announced plans to open in Davenport, with a new restaurant planned along U.S. 27 near the area’s new Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club — making it Polk County’s first Whataburger. A second location is also planned for Altamonte Springs. No opening dates have been announced yet for either location, but it’s a clear sign the chain is committed to expanding across the region well beyond its Orlando comeback.
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