Whataburger is proposing the construction of a new location in Crossville on Genesis Road, across the street from Buc-ee’s and just north of Advanced Auto Parts.
Crossville Mayor RJ Crawford mentioned it during Tuesday night’s Crossville City Council meeting just after Ethan Hadley’s Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce report.
“We’ve got some breaking news. We just found out that Whataburger has submitted a site plan, which will be going to the planning commission. Is it this month or next month?” Crawford asked.
“This month,” Crossville City Manager Valerie Hale said.
“… So we’re excited to be welcoming Whataburger to our town … So, you all are the first to know. We’re excited,” Crawford said.
In a written statement to the Crossville Chronicle, Hadley said, “The addition of Whataburger along the Genesis Road corridor is the latest indication of the increasing awareness among the retail sector in the ongoing growth of our community.”
According to the site plan submitted to the planning commission, there will be one driveway along Genesis Road and another to the rear along Donnelly Place.
The site plan shows a proposed water connection to the front to an existing 8-inch water line that crosses Genesis Road.
“The city has agreed to terminate that line so Whataburger can shift their driveway south, which would have put their driveway over the existing water line. There must have been a miscommunication between them and their engineers. The development agency as well as their civil engineers have been made aware of the needed change in water connection. The developer of Genesis Plaza installed a water and sewer tap along Donnelly Place, to the rear. Also, the current site plan does not show the plan for a storm water structure. They should be on the final civil plans,” the city’s planning report states.
The city’s planning staff has recommended approval of the site plan contingent upon the Tennessee Department of Transportation driveway permit, the change in water line connection, any required stormwater permits and the change in proposed water connection.
According to Whataburger it has 25 locations in Tennessee and the Crossville location will be the farthest east location in Tennessee. Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, the company boasts a systemwide revenue of more than $4 billion annually across its 16-state footprint and over 1,090 restaurants. Whataburger has 51,000 employees and is celebrating its 75th year in business with intentions of further expansion. Most Whataburger restaurants are open 24/7 364 days a year and are closed on Christmas Day.
The Crossville Planning Commission meets Thursday, March 20, at noon in Crossville City Hall and will discuss and consider the site plan.