SAN ANTONIO – Super Bowl LIV Most Valuable Player and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has joined KMO Burger, a new investor-led franchise group, which was formed to bring Whataburger restaurants to Kansas City and surrounding areas over the next seven years. Earlier this year, Whataburger announced plans to open four Kansas City area restaurants in Missouri and Kansas.

“We are excited to have KMO Burger join the Whataburger team,” said Ed Nelson, Whataburger president and chief executive officer. “Expanding to Kansas and Missouri is a win for Whataburger and our fans in America's heartland.”

KMO Burger will open 30 Whataburger restaurants from Wichita, Kan., to St. Joseph, Mo., during the seven-year timeframe.

“KMO Burger is comprised of a group of investors from Texas with a deep appreciation for Whataburger,” said Phillip Rose, chief financial officer of KMO Burger. “Eating there is a part of growing up in the Lone Star State.”

Mahomes was born in Tyler, Texas, and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He has been a longtime fan of Whataburger.

“I love Kansas City and I love Whataburger,” Mahomes said. “I’m excited to help bring a gift from my first home to my second home.”

Construction is underway on the first four restaurants that will open in 2021 in Overland Park, Kan., Lee’s Summit, Independence and Blue Springs, Mo. 

The new restaurants will create more than 500 jobs in 2021 and thousands of jobs in the upcoming years.