Selena to James Avery: Whataburger's biggest celeb moments and collabs
Exterior shot of Whataburger ahead of its 75th anniversary. (Courtesy of Whataburger)
Texans love Whataburger, but did you know that some of the biggest stars and brands do too? Over the past 75 years, the San Antonio-based fast-food chain has become a household name for late-night cravings, early morning breakfast and an OG burger and shake combo at any time of day.
As Whataburger continues expansion efforts across the U.S., more people are getting a taste of the orange and white restaurant that many Texans argue is the best. To celebrate Whataburger's 75th anniversary, we're taking a look back at all our favorite celebrity partnerships, shout-outs and Whataburger collabs that remind us how much the brand has become so beloved even beyond the Lone Star State.
Celebrities that love Whataburger
American singer Selena (born Selena Quintanilla-Perez, 1971 - 1995) rides in a carriage during a performance at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo at the Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas, February 26, 1995. The performance was her last before her murder the following month. (Arlene Richie/Getty Images)
Selena Quintanilla
The late Queen of Tejano music was one of the first celebs to express her love for Whataburger, which began in Corpus Christi, where she lived throughout her successful singing career. At the 1989 Tejano Music Awards, Selena won Female Entertainer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year awards and during her acceptance speech she said she'd be celebrating by getting "Free Whataburgers for everybody!"
Record producer Benny Blanco and singer Selena Gomez during an interview on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (NBC/Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Image)
Selena Gomez
Another Selena from Texas more recently talked about how Whataburger helped her fall in love with her now-fiancée, Benny Blanco. In March, the pair went on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast and Blanco explained how he managed to impress Gomez by remembering her Whataburger order and getting it sent from Las Vegas to her home in Los Angeles for Valentine's Day. Gomez added in the podcast, "My two favorite moments are the proposal and Whataburger."
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 23: Ed Sheeran attends the European Premiere of F1 ® The Movie at Cineworld, Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England. (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)
Ed Sheeren
In April, British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeren told Alex Cooper on her Call Her Daddy podcast that his favorite fast food chain in America, specifically Texas, is Whataburger. The "Perfect" and "Thinking Out Loud" singer said, "I think that burger bangs the most in terms of all the burgers that I've had, Whataburger bangs."
Patrick Mahomes
The Tyler native and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback reportedly teamed up with a group of investors to help bring his favorite burger chain to Kansas City in 2021. Patrick Mahomes had been pleading with Whataburger since 2018 to open up a store there, and when they did the line to get in was so long that the city's transportation department had to warn drivers to be careful while waiting.
Eva Longoria attends the Los Angeles Special Screening of Searchlight Pictures' "Flamin' Hot" at Hollywood Post 43 - American Legion on June 09, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Eva Longoria
During a press tour for her Casa del Sol tequila in 2023, the South Texas-born actress said she prefers Whataburger over In-N-Out any day. "I'm from Corpus, I'm from the hometown of Whataburger, so it's always Whataburger," Eva Longoria told New Country 96.3.
Kelly Clarkson
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Kelly Clarkson knows all about Whataburger and has shown love to the brand in several ways over the years like bringing a Whataburger employee on to her show to hand-deliver a meal to Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan in 2021. Earlier this year, she also brought a high school mariachi group on her show after they went viral for an impromptu performance at a Whataburger.
Whataburger's celebrity partnerships
Lainey Wilson performs on the main stage during CMA Fest 2025 at Nissan Stadium on June 05, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson
Grammy Award-winning country music star Lainey Wilson is Whataburger's current brand ambassador of 2025. She's been in Whataburger ads and commercials promoting the brand's honey butter chicken biscuits and Whatameals in her iconic bell bottoms.
Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals runs to first base after hitting a double during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on July 20, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Jared Lennon/Getty Images)
Bobby Witt Jr.
To celebrate Kansas City Royals' baseball shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr.'s visit to Atlanta for the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Whataburger created its first "Wittaburger" location in honor of the Texas-born player. Witt has also partnered with the chain for commercials and even had a pop-up Whataburger stand at his wedding.
Best Whataburger collaborations
Whataburger and YETI partnered to create an official mug, branded with the burger company's Flying W. (Courtesy, Whataburger)
Yeti
In 2017, Whataburger shook fans when it dropped a tumbler with Yeti that mimicked the restaurant's white styrofoam drink cups. The 30-ounce stainless steel rambler is still available on Whataburger's website for $49.99.
Texas favorites Whataburger and James Avery have teamed up once again to release a new charm this Valentine's Day. (James MCA PR Group for James Avery)
James Avery
Texas' favorite burger chain and jeweler teamed up in recent years for Whataburger lovers to wear their love for the brand on charm bracelets, necklaces and rings. Since 2017, the brands have created a collection of sterling silver and enamel charms like a Texas with the W logo engraved, a Whataburger cup and fries, Whataburger's spicy and regular ketchup packets, and more recently, a replica of Whataburger's iconic A-frame building with a vintage car.
Clothes from the Whataburger collab with Wrangler. (Hygenevisuals Production)
Wrangler
Last year, Whataburger released its first clothing line with Wrangler. The 24-piece collection features Whata-themed jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats and even a pair of orange and white-striped pants.
Whataburger has dropped its new collab with Magellan. (Polly Anna Rocha)
Magellan
Speaking of clothing, remember when Whataburger had all our tios and dads racing for its collab with Magellan? In 2021, the pair launched their first limited edition line at Academy and in 2023, they ran it back from colorful Whataburger sticker fishing shirts to an exclusive 24-can Magellan cooler.
NBA/Spurs
We love when the San Antonio Spurs and Whataburger give away free food and goodies during the season, but did you know the pair also have a clothing line? Although it's small you can choose from two T-shirts and a hoodie on the Spurs merch website. Whataburger also has a slightly bigger Houston Rockets clothing line with T-shirts and hats.
Honorable mentions
In addition, Whataburger has done clothing and product collabs before with other brands including Chubbies, Igloo, Vineyard Vines and Staunch Traditional Outfitters.
