By Marjorie Ritchie

It comes as no surprise to me that the Texas burger chain, Whataburger, is suing the North Carolina-based mom and pop burger establishment, What-a-Burger #13, which has locations in Mt. Pleasant and Locust, as well as a food truck. Founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas, the Whataburger chain is expanding its footprint into North Carolina. For a couple of years now, it has been embroiled in a legal battle, mainly over trademark infringement, with the North Carolina-based What-a-burger #13.

Sometimes, Texans can be too big for their britches. I have known this fact for years because half my family was born and raised in the Lone Star State. For generations, they have been rowdy ranchers and farmers whose behavior has been the inspiration for Waylon and Willie songs. Many of these Texas cousins like to remind me that everything is “bigger and better” in Texas. And when it comes to burgers, the Texas Whataburger’s burger might be bigger than the N.C. What-a-burger’s burger. But is it “better?” I say let the North Carolina consumer decide which burger he or she prefers: the native what-a-burger or the Texas one?

Realistically, there will be little or no “consumer confusion” when it comes to dining at the Texas burger joint or dining at the North Carolina burger establishment. What-a-burger #13 may have similar menu offerings, but it is no threat to a burger chain as big as the Texas Whataburger which has restaurants in at least 15 states. Many of us would be saddened to see mom and pop burger joints, like What-a-Burger #13, go out of business due to corporate lawyers and intimidation from large entities. So why can’t the two burger establishments co-exist peacefully in North Carolina?

In fact, Texans and North Carolinians have more things in common than burgers. Both states like to boast about their barbecue. I know that discussing barbecue could lead to another argument. One thing is for sure: barbecue goes well with North Carolina’s legendary Cheerwine or with Texas-born Dr. Pepper.

The flags of Texas and North Carolina resemble each other in color and design. And both states are geographically diverse with outstanding mountain ranges, coastlines and river valleys. Both states lean politically conservative and still practice Southern traditions and hospitality.
Both North Carolina and Texas are attracting new businesses and diverse job markets. There are many prestigious public colleges and universities in each state. The list could go on and on.

During a visit several years ago to my cousin Robert’s small ranch in South Texas, I asked him who his Texas hero is. His emphatic answer was Charles Goodnight, the famous cattle rancher and “father of the Texas Panhandle.” Interestingly, Goodnight’s family had deep roots in North Carolina. As a matter of fact, one of the illustrious rancher’s ancestors, Hans Michael Goodnight, served as a constable in Mecklenburg County, N.C., in 1775.

Despite whatever happens next in the “burger battle,” I hope we folks in North Carolina can welcome the Texas burger giant to our state and give their burgers a try. In the meantime, I might need to limit my frequent consumption of those delicious what-a-burgers in Mt. Pleasant. If I cannot resist that tempting burger for a while, then I might have to call my cousin in Dallas and ask him to send me some bigger britches from Texas.

Marjorie Ritchie, a Georgia native, loves living in Gold Hill.