Whataburger’s App Goes Viral as Houston Faces Power Outages
In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which left 1.8 million utility customers in Houston without power, frustrations with the local utility company have led some residents to get creative in tracking power outages. With CounterPoint Energy, the local utility company, not offering an app that provides outage information, Houstonians turned to an unexpected source – the Whataburger app.
Whataburger, a fast-food chain based in San Antonio, has 127 stores in the Houston area. The Whataburger app displays a map of their locations, with an orange logo indicating if a store is open and a grey logo indicating it is closed. This simple feature has become handy for residents trying to determine areas with power.
One user with the screen name BBQBryan discovered that the map of open Whataburger stores could serve as a power outage tracker. BBQBryan’s post about this revelation gained significant attention, with over 22,000 likes and 6.9 million impressions. Whataburger’s response to the post showed their surprise and concern for the well-being of the users affected by the power outages.
The viral moment surrounding Whataburger’s app has had a positive impact on its download numbers. In the iOS App Store, Whataburger has climbed from being ranked 40th in the food and drink category to now holding the 16th spot.
While the use of a burger app as a power outage tracker is amusing, it highlights deeper issues within Texas. The state has faced challenges in providing support to its residents during extreme weather events. In 2021, a severe winter storm left millions without power in freezing conditions. To add insult to injury, Senator Ted Cruz was criticized for flying to Mexico during the crisis. This history of inadequate support from both infrastructure and political leaders has amplified frustrations for Texans.
The reliance on the Whataburger app for power outage information is indicative of the infrastructural failures faced by Houston residents. While the app provides a general idea of areas with power, it is important to note that there could be other reasons for a store’s closure, especially in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Nevertheless, the popularity of the app in this context reflects the desperate need for accessible and reliable information during times of crisis.