Ozark mayor teases Whataburger plans

The city of Ozark looks to have scored a popular restaurant chain.

In a Facebook post this morning, Ozark Mayor Bradley Jackson teased a new Whataburger restaurant in the city.

"Whataburger has officially filed a building permit with the city of Ozark and soon you will be able to enjoy their delicious menu items," he said in the post, noting the restaurant is "coming soon."

In a comment on the Facebook post, Jackson said the restaurant would be located next to an Arby's on the south side of town. Additional details were not provided, and Jackson could not be immediately reached for comment this morning.

A building permit on file with the city shows plans for a Whataburger restaurant at 1851 W. Marler Lane. Located at the intersection with U.S. Highway 65, the site also houses retailers including Walmart and Lowe's and restaurants such as Arby's and Wendy's. The permit does not state the entity behind the Whataburger project.

A Google search for that address leads to a listing from Jared Commercial. The listing at Crexi.com indicates the 2.1-acre lot is under contract. Reached this morning, Jared Commercial President and CEO Curtis Jared confirmed the site is under contract but declined to disclose further details.

The Ozark site is at least the second in the area with interest from Whataburger. Late last year, the city of Republic announced the fast-food chain filed a building permit for 1371 U.S. Highway 60, next to Andy's Frozen Custard, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.