NASHVILLE, Tenn. – High school football season is back, and so are the Friday night traditions that have brought communities together for generations. Beginning Sept. 4, Whataburger is celebrating those hometown moments with Friday Night Bites, a program honoring the student-athletes, schools, and fans who make Friday nights special. Middle Tennessee Guests can expect to enjoy weekly Friday offers throughout September as well as special school fundraisers, food truck events (select schools only) and student-athlete recognitions running all football season long. Alongside the Tennessee Titans, the two organizations are bringing the community together one game at a time.
For generations, Whataburger has been part of the Friday night football ritual — from fueling up before kickoff to celebrating a win over the crosstown rival or gathering around the table after a tough loss. As the lights come back on this fall, Friday Night Bites gives communities even more reasons to gather, cheer on their hometown teams and make Whataburger part of their Friday nights.
“There's something special about Friday nights in our communities," said Donna Tuttle, vice president of marketing for Whataburger. "Whether you're cheering in the stands, playing under the lights, marching in the halftime show or grabbing a meal with family after the game, those moments bring people together. Friday Night Bites celebrates those traditions while giving back to the schools and hometowns that make them possible.”
A Fan-Favorite Offer Every Friday in September
Beginning Sept. 4, Guests visiting participating restaurants can enjoy a free All-Time Favorite entree with the purchase of a Medium Fry and Medium Drink every Friday in September from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. central time.
Whataburger’s All-Time Favorites began as limited-time offers and became menu mainstays thanks to fans who kept coming back and asking for more of their signature flavors. Guests ordering in restaurants can choose from:
- The Patty Melt, featuring two beef patties, grilled onions, two slices of melted Monterey Jack cheese and Whataburger’s Creamy Pepper sauce on Texas Toast.
- The Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich, made with three Whatachick’n Strips, two slices of Monterey Jack cheese, and Whataburger’s signature Honey BBQ sauce, served on toasted Texas Toast.
- The Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, stacked with two beef patties, bacon, grilled onions, American and Monterey Jack cheeses, mustard and Sweet & Spicy Pepper sauce.
For digital orders, Guests can choose from the Patty Melt or Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich only. Limit one offer per Guest.
Giving Back to the Teams That Make Game Night Matter
Friday nights wouldn’t be the same without the marching bands, spirit squads, coaches, volunteers, and families who bring each game to life. Throughout the football season, Whataburger is partnering with local Middle Tennessee schools and their affiliated football organizations for fundraising events called Spirit Nights. Held on a weeknight ahead of the big game, Whataburger will donate 20% of qualifying sales back to participating programs. Schools that rally more than 250 attendees may also receive a $1,000 bonus.
Showing Up Where the Game Is
Whataburger food trucks are hitting the road this season, bringing the Friday Night Bites excitement straight to select high school football games. Fans can grab Patty Melt and Whatafresher samples, score coupons and Whataburger gear, play games and join in the fun before kickoff. Because a packed stadium, hometown pride and a Whataburger food truck are a game-winning combination.
Recognizing the MVPs on and off the Field
Whataburger also shines a spotlight on student-athletes through the Player of the Week program, recognizing their impact on and off the field all season long, with scholarship opportunities offered in select markets through Whataburger’s partnership with Dr Pepper.
Teaming up with the Tennessee Titans
In partnership with the Tennessee Titans, the NFL organization will travel to each high school football matchup in Middle Tennessee that has been chosen as the Friday Night Titans Game of the Week presented by Whataburger. They will engage with fans, bring some Titans swag, and give attendees the chance to win an autographed item from one of your favorite Titans players. Fans at the game can also expect appearances from Titans special guests and photo opportunities throughout the night. The host school for the week will receive a $1,000 grant from the Titans Foundation to benefit their school's football program.
The following are the 2026 Friday Night Titans Game of the Week presented by Whataburger matchups. The Week 1 matchup between Oakland and CPA and the Week 2 matchup between Green Hill and Page have already been played:
- Week 1: Oakland @ CPA – Friday, Aug. 21
- Week 2: Green Hill @ Page – Friday, Aug. 28
- Week 3: Riverdale @ Blackman – Friday, Sept. 4
- Week 4: Oakland @ Pearl Cohn – Friday, Sept. 11
- Week 5: Lipscomb @ Ensworth – Friday, Sept. 18
- Week 6: FRA @ BGA – Friday, Sept. 25 *
- Week 7: Station Camp @ Beech – Friday, Oct. 2 *
- Week 8: Nolensville @ Centennial – Thursday, Oct. 8
- Week 9: Green Hill @ Lebanon – Friday, Oct. 16
- Week 10: Clarksville @ Antioch – Friday, Oct. 23
- Week 11: Ravenwood @ Brentwood – Friday, Oct. 30
*Fans at the Week 6 matchup (FRA @ BGA) and Week 7 matchup (Station Camp @ Beech) will receive the full Friday Night Bites experience, with the Whataburger food truck on-site before kickoff.
Tennessee Titans Coach of the Week presented by Whataburger
The Titans High School Coach of the Week presented by Whataburger is designed to recognize high school football coaches who continuously demonstrate dedication to their football programs, by building successful football teams both on and off the field. Each week during the season, the Titans will nominate 3 coaches from across the state for their team's outstanding performance, and fans will vote on which coach should be named the Titans High School Coach of the Week presented by Whataburger. The award aims to recognize a Tennessee high school football coach for an outstanding performance on Friday night and exceptional program leadership throughout the year. The Coach of the Week will receive a $2,000 grant from the Titans Foundation to benefit their school's football program and a gift bag courtesy of Whataburger.
Hungry for more? Whataburger serves fans 24/7 – whether they swing through the drive-thru, order online or use the Whataburger App. Guests who download the app and create an account automatically receive a free Whataburger and begin earning points toward their favorite menu items. Visit Whataburger.com for more details.
About Whataburger®
Whataburger serves up Goodness 24/7 with a made-to-order, customizable menu of burgers and other favorites delivered just like you like it. Born in Texas and headquartered in San Antonio, we’re celebrating eight flavorful decades of big bites, bold flavors, and even bigger fan love. We’ve grown to over 1,200 restaurants across 17 states, with original-recipe products now found on grocery aisles across the country. Our secret sauce (besides that Fancy Ketchup) is our Family Members—real people serving up real hospitality and meaningful connections in the communities we call home. We’ve landed on Forbes’ Best Brands for Social Impact, Fast Company’s Brands that Matter list, USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and Newsweek’s America’s Best of the Best. To learn more, shop the Whatastore, or find your nearest location, visit Whataburger.com—or download our app on iOS or Android. Hungry for more? Discover what keeps fans coming back by diving into real stories from Whataburger super fans at stories.whataburger.com.
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