10 Whataburger operations leaders
Executive Vice President & COO, Vice President Operations and Area Director of Operations are among the roles held by these ten Whataburger operations leaders. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Whataburger from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Aaron Valdez
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations Growth Division · Whataburger
Aaron Valdez has been Vice President of Operations Growth Division at Whataburger since December 2021, with a profile headline of Brand Leader Operations Whataburger VP. At Whataburger, Aaron Valdez was Regional Director Of Operations from 2019 to 2021, Director Of Operations from 2015 to 2019, Area Manager from 2011 to 2015 and Manager & General Manager from 2008 to 2011.
Chris Felefle
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Whataburger
Chris Felefle has been Director of Operations at Whataburger since May 2022, with a profile headline of Director of Operation/Market Leader at Whataburger, based in Houston, and also lists Area Manager at Whataburger since 2018. Chris Felefle also lists Owner at Petit Cafe and describes being a visionary operations executive.
Jeff North
LinkedInExperience: Vice President and Brand Leader of Operations · Whataburger
Jeff North has been Vice President and Brand Leader of Operations at Whataburger since January 2023, based in the San Antonio area, and also lists Senior Vice President of Brand Performance there since 2022 and Restaurant Operations Senior Vice President since 2020. Jeff North was Restaurant Segment Support Division Vice President at Whataburger from 2018 to 2020 and Group Director of Restaurant Services from 2016 to 2017.
Jessica Reicher
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President & COO · Whataburger
Jessica Reicher has been Executive Vice President & COO at Whataburger since September 2025. Jessica Reicher was President at Flynn Arby's from 2020 to 2025, Chief Operating Officer at Nando's PERi-PERi North America from 2016 to 2020, Sr Director of Operations at Taco Bell from 2012 to 2016 and Director of Global Operations at Yum! Restaurants International from 2010 to 2012.
Jon Barideaux
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Whataburger
Jon Barideaux has been Vice President Operations at Whataburger since August 2022, with a profile headline of Vice President Restaurant Operations for Whataburger, based in San Antonio. At Whataburger, Jon Barideaux was Senior Market Leader in 2022, Director of Operations MS/AL/TN from 2021 to 2022 and Director of Restaurant Learning & Development from 2020 to 2021.
Mike LeRoy
LinkedInExperience: Market Leader/Director of Operations · Whataburger
Mike LeRoy has been Market Leader/Director of Operations at Whataburger since January 2022, based in San Antonio, and was Area Manager-North Central San Antonio at Whataburger from 2015 to 2022. Mike LeRoy was Managing partner at Outback Steakhouse from 2010 to 2015 and Manager there from 2007 to 2010.
Robert Rubal
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations- Whataburger · Whataburger
Robert Rubal has been Brand Leader at Whataburger since January 2023 and lists Director of Operations- Whataburger since 2014, with a profile headline of QSR Multi Unit Leader/Executive. Robert Rubal was Director of Operations at HMS HOST from 1999 to 2014 and also lists a Director of Operations row at Whataburger from 2014 to 2023.
Steven Rule, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Area Director of Operations · Whataburger
Steven Rule has been Area Director of Operations at Whataburger since April 2024, based in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe area, and describes corporate and franchise expertise. Steven Rule was Regional Director of Operations at Blake's Lotaburger from 2014 to 2016 and Sr Management Analyst there from 2016 to 2020, High Ticket Sales Closer at SPARK Fitness Coaching from 2020 to 2024 and in Sales at Next Level Coaching Academy from 2023 to 2024.
Tim Fisher
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Whataburger
Tim Fisher has been Vice President Operations at Whataburger since September 2023, based in San Antonio, and describes expertise in corporate and franchise operations. At McDonald's, Tim Fisher was Vice President / Operations Officer from 2015 to 2023, Director of Field Service in 2015, Director of Operations from 2012 to 2015 and Operations Manager from 2010 to 2012.
Walter Cervin
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · Whataburger
Walter Cervin has been Director Of Operations and Multi Unit Manager at Whataburger since August 2020, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and has been Partner of Coco Shrimp since 2022. Walter Cervin was District Operating Officer (DOO)/ Market Partner at Grub Burger Bar from 2013 to 2020 and Co-Owner/Operator at Papa Murphy's International from 2013 to 2016.
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose own role and scope sit closest to the decision you face. Check the start dates of each role to see how recent the experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on first when you took on your current operations role, and why?
- 02How have you developed area managers and restaurant teams in the markets you have led?
- 03Which measures have you relied on in your own work to judge how restaurants are performing?
Reaching Whataburger operations leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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