Whataburger CEO to retire at end of the year

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Whataburger announced earlier this week its Chief Executive Officer will retire at the end of the year.

The Texas-based fast food chain issued a press release earlier this week announcing CEO Ed Nelson will retire at the end of 2024 after spending 20 years with the company.

Nelson has been with Whataburger since 2004, joining the company as Controller, and has worked his way through various leadership positions since then, according to the release. He was named Chief Financial Officer in 2008, President in 2019, and CEO in 2020.

"Ed's passion for the Whataburger brand has been unparalleled, and he has expertly guided the company to new heights, embodying the drive and resilience Texans are known for," stated Matthew Rose, Chairman of Whataburger. "We are deeply grateful for Ed's leadership and commitment to our mission, and we wish him our very best in his retirement."

Debbie Stroud, currently EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Whataburger, will step into the President and CEO roles in the new year.

Stroud joined Whataburger in early 2023. Before that, she served as SVP, U.S. Retail Operations at Starbucks Coffee Company, which she worked with for five years, according to the release. Prior to that, Stroud spent 27 years with McDonald's, where she served in "key financial and operational roles," the release said.

"I am honored to be selected as the next CEO of Whataburger, a family-founded, beloved brand with a strong legacy and fan base," Stroud said. "We are dedicated to ensuring that Whataburger continues to resonate deeply with our customers in Texas and beyond, allowing them to embrace our brand as passionately as we do."

Stroud and her husband live in San Antonio, according to the release. She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University and has served on the Women's Foodservice Forum and other nonprofit organizations.