Market Leader

Our Flavor — About Whataburger

Whataburger isn’t just a fast-food burger chain it is where bold leadership starts — and where potential doesn’t just grow, it heats up. Whether you're leading the line or working behind the scenes, this is the place where opportunities stack up, and every day gives you a chance to make a difference.

Since 1950, we’ve invested in people who lead with integrity, serve with heart, and bring their best flavor to the team. We believe in working together, speaking up, having a little fun, and winning as one — because great burgers (and great teams) start with the right ingredients. If you're ready — to learn, grow, impact, and move forward boldly — we’ve got your back and your path cooked to perfection.

Your Recipe for Impact — What You’ll Do

As a Market Leader, you'll oversee 4–12 restaurants within an assigned market generating multi-million-dollar annual revenue.  You'll lead Operating Partners and their teams to achieve exceptional business results, develop future leaders, and deliver extraordinary hospitality. You'll drive strategic growth, operational excellence, and financial performance while fostering a culture built on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

You'll Make a Difference by creating opportunities for Family Members and leaders to grow, Serve with Heart by championing exceptional guest and employee experiences across your market, Win as One by uniting restaurant teams around common goals and shared success, and Move Forward Boldly by leading change, driving innovation, and positioning your market for long-term growth and performance.

Day-to-Day Ingredients — Responsibilities

As a Market Leader, you will:

• Lead operational performance across multiple restaurants.
• Coach, develop, and hold Operating Partners accountable for results.
• Drive sales growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Build high-performing teams and strengthen leadership pipelines.
• Execute market strategies and business plans.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, operational, and brand standards.
• Analyze business performance and market trends to identify growth opportunities and drive results.
• Lead restaurant openings, transitions, and change initiatives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support business objectives.
• Allocate resources and prioritize market-wide opportunities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Represent and protect the Whataburger brand in the communities you serve.

The Sauce — Pay & Perks

As a Market Leader, you’ll receive: 

• Highly Competitive Base Salary & Bonus Program

• Company Vehicle, Cell Phone, and Laptop
• 5 Weeks of PTO Starting on Day One
• Paid Corporate Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) match $1/$1 up to 4%
• Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Benefits
• Opportunities for Career Development and Growth
• Whataburger Family Foundation - Scholarship Program (dependents also eligible) and Hardship Grant Assistance
• Cell Phone Service Discounts
• Computer & Software Discounts
• Fitness / Gym Discounts
• Awards and Recognition for All You Do

• Retirement Celebration Program

What You Bring to the Table — Required Experience

As a Market Leader, you must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and progressive work experience.
• Have 8+ years of experience leading and developing teams across multiple organizational levels.
• Have multi-unit leadership experience in the restaurant, hospitality, retail, or related industry, or relevant experience.
• Demonstrate success influencing, motivating, and developing leaders.
• Demonstrate strong business, operational, and financial acumen.
• Have a proven track record of managing P&L performance.
• Have the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess strong communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Possess Food Safety Certification and Food Handler Certification, or the ability to obtain them as required.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and meet Whataburger’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) eligibility requirements.
• Be able to travel regularly within and outside the assigned market as business needs require.

Extra Toppings — Desired Experience

As a Market Leader, we prefer you to have:

• Experience leading high-volume, multi-unit restaurant operations.
• Experience supporting new restaurant openings and market growth.
• Expertise in talent planning, succession management, and leadership development.
• Experience leading large-scale operational or organizational change initiatives.
• Proficiency with restaurant operations, back-of-house, and point-of-sale systems.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and business analysis tools.
• Strong community engagement and local brand-building experience.
• A demonstrated legacy of developing leaders and building high-performing teams.

Where & How You’ll Work

This role is field‑based, supporting restaurants across an assigned market. Success in this role requires full-time availability, flexibility to adjust to evolving operational priorities, and the ability to travel regularly—including day trips, overnight travel, and extended market visits. While most travel will occur within your assigned market, some out‑of‑market support may be required based on business needs. When not traveling, you’ll work from your home office, balancing independent work with virtual collaboration to support ongoing business needs.

Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the market they support.

Whataburger is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, age, or other condition or status protected by law. Whataburger participates in the federal E-Verify Program. For more information, go to www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

*Eligibility rules may apply to specific benefits

1432 S Peoria Ave Tulsa OK 74120-5621