Albuquerque's Development Review Board approves site plan for Whataburger near Tin Can Alley

The next steps are in place for a national restaurant chain to set up shop along Alameda Boulevard.

On May 4, the city of Albuquerque's Development Review Board approved a request from Scottsdale, Arizona-based Sustainability Engineering Group to construct a 2,999-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru to the west of Tin Can Alley. According to documents and attachments with the application, that restaurant will be Texas-based Whataburger.

Whataburger will sit on a 1-acre parcel on San Pedro Drive and Alameda Boulevard to the West of Tin Can Alley. A separate 0.8-acre parcel is also available east of Stone Age Climbing Gym. Green Jeans West LLC was listed as the property owner in the DRB documents. Green Jeans West LLC is run by Albuquerque developer Roy Solomon — the developer behind shipping container food courts Tin Can Alley and Green Jeans Farmery.

Through marketing firm Hahn Agency, Whataburger said it didn't have a construction timeline or an opening date to share as of Monday. It will mark the 12th location in New Mexico and the seventh in Albuquerque, according to its website.

A letter submitted to the DRB listed the developer as San Antonio-based Whatabrands Real Estate and the civil engineer as Sustainability Engineering Group. Whataburger's corporate office is also in San Antonio.

Solomon said Whataburger will not be affiliated with Tin Can Alley and is under different ownership.

"I think it's good for the community," Solomon said of Whataburger. "I'm excited to see that go in over there. That will fill a different type of niche."

Tin Can Alley recently added an arcade and plans to add breakfast options next month, Solomon said. Tin Can Alley opened in May 2020 after breaking ground in June 2019. He's now looking for a tenant for that final 0.8-acre parcel at the site.

NAI SunVista partner Brett Hills is the listing broker for the southeast corner of San Pedro Drive and Alameda Boulevard. According to a marketing flier, the ground lease rate is $120,000 per year for the lot Whataburger was approved by

Hills declined to comment for this story.

Join Albuquerque Business First as we celebrate the 2022 class of 40 Under 40! This event honors young professionals climbing the charts in their industries and making an impact in New Mexico.

Did your New Mexico company grow fast in 2019-2021? Tell us all about it!Albuquerque Business First's Fastest Growing Companies awards will honor companies that grew revenue the most based on percentage of annual growth over a three-year period.