Farmington’s fast-food scene is set to grow this summer with the arrival of Whataburger, which announced plans to open its first location in the Four Corners region. The new restaurant will be located at 5520 E. Main St. and is scheduled to open in mid- to late June.
On March 12, Whataburger executives gathered in Farmington to introduce the brand to local residents at the site of the planned restaurant. The announcement comes after a busy period of growth in the area’s fast-food market, with national chains like Slim Chickens and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen having opened locations in Farmington in recent years.
The new Whataburger restaurant will span about 3,200 square feet and create over 100 local jobs, according to franchisee Nareg Amirian. The location will feature a double drive-thru lane to accommodate customer demand.
Amirian explained that Farmington was chosen for Whataburger’s first Four Corners location after considering several other spots in the region. “When we looked at the opportunity to expand in New Mexico, Farmington stood out as the best place to establish roots,” he said. “It made sense for Farmington to be our launchpad.”
Whataburger is so confident in the region’s potential that Amirian revealed plans to open additional locations nearby.
Possible future sites include Gallup, Aztec, Bloomfield, and Durango, Colorado. However, the company will carefully monitor the performance of the Farmington location before committing to further expansion. “We want to ensure our operations are running smoothly here before looking east to Aztec or Bloomfield,” Amirian said.
The idea for a Whataburger in Farmington has been in the works for a couple of years. The company spent time acquiring the property, which is located between a Mister Car Wash and a Lowe’s Home Improvement store near the intersection of East Main Street and Piñon Hills Boulevard.
“We see a lot of opportunity here,” Amirian noted.
Despite the recent influx of fast-food options in Farmington, Amirian is not concerned about market saturation. “I don’t mind competition,” he said. “We want to be the best, and we’re ready to compete. I’m optimistic about our success here.”
The Farmington location will be managed by George Darrah, who relocated from San Antonio, Texas, in June 2023 with his wife, Zuri Soto. Soto will serve as the restaurant’s director of operational support. Darrah, who already has built connections in the community, shared a story about meeting Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett during a walk in his first week in town.
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