Whataburger is closing 14 Florida restaurants May 31, including two each in Ocala and Gainesville, citing low sales.
The 14 company-owned stores will shut their doors at 3 p.m. May 31, according to company spokeswoman Pam Cox. The other stores are in the Tampa and Orlando areas.
The local restaurants are at 3351 W. Silver Springs Blvd. and 2400 S.W. 19th Ave. Road in Ocala and 3545 W. University Ave. and 7300 W. Newberry Road in Gainesville. A franchisee-owned store in Starke will remain open.
The 14 eateries to close were opened by a franchisee in 2004 and 2005, but were purchased by the company in 2007. Cox
said the franchisee continues to operate successfully in the Jacksonville area, but the 14 stores proved to be in tough markets for the company.Photo: Alan Youngblood.
