Wewa’s Burger King hosts holding company’s ‘largest opening to date’

According to Sherrie Walter, the opening of the Wewahitchka Burger King has been, so far, the largest Burger King opening in the region.

“So far this has been our largest opening to date in the region,” she said, “even larger than our one in Santa Rosa County, which we just thought no one would ever beat.”

Walter, a district manager for Consolidated Burger Holdings LLC, which owns 66 Burger King franchises in northwest Florida and surrounding areas, said the community has produced a massive turnout.

“We are so excited to be a part of the community here,” she said. “We have had so many applicants, and it’s awesome. And as long as we keep having these incredible sales days, we’ll continue to have more and more jobs for people.”

As a crowd assembled in front of the building Wednesday morning to watch Carlos Sarmiento, the Burger King’s general manager, cut the ribbon for the restaurant, many commented on the large number of staff present.

The Burger King is now the town’s largest private employer, with 30 employees.

Gulf County Economic Development Coalition Director Jim McKnight said the restaurant is the first of its kind in the town – offering a quick burger option and late night dining.

“They are now the largest private employer by a couple. North Florida Child Development is right after them,” he said. “They created 30 jobs here, and that’s big in our county… They so far exceeded what they thought they could do here.”

McKnight was the Burger King’s first official customer.

The Burger King’s current hours are 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. It is located at the intersection of Highway 71 and Chipola Avenue.