Whataburger

Purchase Price$3,050,000
Annual Rental Income$183,000
Cap Rate6.00%
Lease Term14 Years
CitySavannah MSA
Tenant: Whataburger
Sector: Fast Food / QSR
State: Georgia

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Whataburger Net Lease Investment – Savannah MSA


Single-Tenant QSR Asset in a Growing Coastal Georgia Market

This offering presents a unique opportunity to acquire a net lease investment backed by Whataburger, a nationally recognized quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand with a rapidly growing footprint across the Southeast. Strategically positioned within the Savannah metropolitan statistical area (MSA), this asset delivers passive income through an absolute triple-net lease, secured by a tenant with regional strength and nationwide brand equity.

The Savannah MSA continues to attract attention from investors and developers seeking long-term growth markets with a combination of logistics infrastructure, population expansion, and quality of life advantages. The property’s strong location fundamentals, combined with a long-term lease to a leading QSR tenant, make this an ideal addition to any income-focused real estate portfolio.


Tenant Overview – Whataburger

Whataburger was founded in 1950 and has grown into a dominant QSR brand across the South and Southwest, with nearly 1,000 locations in operation and a robust national expansion plan underway. The company is well-known for its all-day breakfast, made-to-order burgers, and iconic orange-and-white branding. With deep cultural roots in the South and a loyal customer following, Whataburger continues to generate strong unit-level performance across both corporate and franchised locations.

The brand’s expansion into Georgia reflects its commitment to high-growth, high-visibility markets. Recent store openings in Savannah and other parts of coastal Georgia have been met with strong consumer demand, validating the brand’s site selection strategy and operational execution. Backed by BDT Capital Partners and operated by experienced regional franchisees, Whataburger is scaling rapidly in emerging markets across the Southeast.

The company’s operational model focuses on high-volume sales, dual-lane drive-thru efficiency, and strong digital ordering integration. This omni-channel approach positions Whataburger locations to perform well in suburban corridors where consumer preference leans toward drive-thru convenience and value-based dining.


Savannah MSA – Logistics Hub with Economic Momentum

The Savannah MSA is one of Georgia’s most economically active regions, driven by its coastal port, manufacturing base, and rising in-migration from northern and western states. With a metro population of over 400,000 and rising, Savannah has transformed from a regional center to a nationally significant logistics and industrial hub.

The Port of Savannah is the fastest-growing container terminal in the U.S. and one of the largest on the East Coast, fueling job creation and infrastructure development across the region. Employers in the metro area include Gulfstream Aerospace, Georgia Ports Authority, International Paper, JCB North America, and a growing number of third-party logistics and warehousing operations.

Savannah also benefits from a strong tourism economy, historical charm, coastal access, and military presence via Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart. The combined impact of logistics, tourism, defense, and education provides the region with a stable and diversified economic foundation.

Within a five-mile radius of the property, the population exceeds 150,000 and continues to grow as housing demand increases around the city’s core and suburban edges. The surrounding trade area includes single-family subdivisions, multifamily developments, medical campuses, and public schools—offering strong weekday and weekend demand for food and service retail.


Absolute NNN Lease – Fully Passive Investment

The property is secured by an absolute triple-net lease, in which the tenant is responsible for all property-related expenses including taxes, insurance, maintenance, and capital repairs. This lease structure provides investors with a completely passive income stream and zero management obligations.

The lease includes built-in rental escalations that enhance yield over time while preserving long-term stability. This is ideal for 1031 exchange buyers, private investors seeking income diversification, or family trusts focused on legacy wealth preservation. With minimal risk exposure and a nationally recognized tenant in place, the asset checks all the boxes for a stable, long-term net lease hold.


High-Traffic Location with Strong Co-Tenancy

The Whataburger site is located on a high-traffic commercial corridor with daily vehicle counts exceeding 30,000. The property offers full visibility, multiple points of ingress and egress, and is surrounded by a mix of national and regional tenants that generate strong cross-shopping and daily traffic.

Nearby retailers include Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Publix, Walgreens, AutoZone, and Dollar General. The combination of grocery-anchored centers, auto service, and national food brands reinforces the property’s real estate fundamentals and ensures long-term consumer activity.

The area is characterized by a balance of dense residential housing, commercial services, and institutional employers. With continued infrastructure investments and housing expansion, this corridor is expected to see increased traffic and consumer engagement in the coming years, further enhancing tenant performance and long-term asset value.


Georgia Market Strength and Tax Benefits

Georgia continues to be one of the most business-friendly states in the U.S., consistently ranked among the top for economic development and corporate relocation. With a low corporate tax rate, no estate tax, and streamlined permitting processes, the state has attracted major employers in manufacturing, e-commerce, logistics, and healthcare.

The Savannah region specifically benefits from its access to global shipping routes, multiple Class I railroads, and direct interstate connectivity to Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Charleston. As supply chains diversify and demand for port-adjacent locations increases, Savannah’s strategic positioning has driven both residential and commercial expansion throughout the metro area.

Net lease investors targeting long-term holds in coastal and logistics-driven cities increasingly look to Georgia for stable returns and inflation-resistant real estate assets. Whataburger’s targeted expansion in Georgia underscores the state’s alignment with the brand’s core demographic and real estate strategy.


Demographics and Trade Area Profile

  • Within 1 mile: Dense residential housing, schools, and local businesses creating a strong lunch and dinner base for QSRs
  • Within 3 miles: Expanding subdivisions, apartment communities, and commuter corridors with consistent drive-thru traffic
  • Within 5 miles: Population over 150,000 with average household income exceeding $80,000 and ongoing development pipeline activity
  • Nearby employers include logistics hubs, military facilities, hospitals, and large regional retail centers
  • Trade area supports multi-daypart QSR demand with high volume during weekday lunch and weekend family traffic

The demographics of the surrounding area align closely with Whataburger’s customer base—working-class and middle-income households, shift-based workers, and families seeking affordable, high-quality food in a convenient setting.


Investment Highlights

  • Single-tenant Whataburger with long-term absolute NNN lease
  • Passive income with zero landlord responsibility
  • Strategically located in the Savannah MSA – one of the fastest-growing port cities on the East Coast
  • Strong daily traffic volume and national brand adjacency
  • Expanding residential base and new housing development within trade area
  • Lease includes structured rent escalations enhancing long-term return
  • High-performing QSR tenant with growing national footprint and regional dominance in the South
  • Ideal for 1031 exchange buyers, wealth preservation strategies, and net lease-focused portfolios

Conclusion

This Whataburger net lease property in the Savannah MSA delivers all the core attributes investors seek in a long-term real estate hold: a high-quality tenant, passive lease structure, strong surrounding demographics, and a location within a market experiencing sustained growth. Backed by a top-performing brand with aggressive Southeast expansion plans, the asset provides durable cash flow and the confidence of tenant continuity.

Savannah’s status as a logistics powerhouse, combined with Georgia’s favorable tax and business climate, further enhances the strength of this investment. With limited landlord obligations, consistent rental growth, and alignment with long-term demographic trends, this property offers a compelling opportunity for both income-focused and value-oriented investors alike.

Property details provided on this site are for general informational and illustrative purposes only. Specific availability and property status may change without notice. Please contact us to confirm current opportunities.