A new Burger King is planned for Zapata. State filings show construction was scheduled to begin in September 2025 and finish by March 2026. The 3,492-square-foot restaurant will bring another fast-food option to the area. This property has a history before becoming the future home of flame-grilled Whoppers.
The project filing lists Burger King – Zapata as a new construction project. Work is scheduled to start in September 2025. Completion is expected by March 2026. The restaurant will cover 3,492 square feet. Once open, it will expand the chain’s presence across South Texas. It will also provide another convenient stop for drivers along US-83.
Location
The site is at 702 US Highway 83, north of Rathmell Drive and East 6th Avenue. The property is across from the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office. It sits near local favorites such as Tacos El Tejano and Fatima’s Diner. Today the lot is vacant grassland, visible on Google Street View in May 2024. The location’s roots stretch back nearly a century.
Site History
The earliest image on Historic Aerials (1931) shows the parcel undeveloped, with brush and faint dirt tracks visible. By the 1995 Google Earth image, a commercial structure stood on the site, reflecting Zapata’s highway growth. That building remained for years before being cleared. By 2024, the lot was open land again.
Now the property is set for another chapter as construction begins on a new Burger King.
Company Background
Burger King started in 1954 in Miami, Florida. The chain is known for flame-grilled burgers and a global footprint of over 18,000 locations. In Texas, Burger King is long established. The Zapata location will expand its reach into smaller border communities where fast-food choices are limited.