White Castle Extends Invitation for Public Partner to Preserve 1930s Castle-Themed Diner Modeled After Early White Castles

90-year-old structure, located on a farm near Wichita, Kansas, is available for free to anyone able to transport it to a new location

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, is offering to help a public organization preserve a 1930s diner that was modeled after the iconic White Castle restaurants made famous the prior decade. The current owners near Wichita, Kansas, are offering to give away the 20-by-20-foot building for free, as long as the recipient is able to safely move it to the final destination.

“As the ones to start it all 102 years ago, our family business would like to do our part to preserve this history and source of good memories,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle and fourth-generation family member.

The Castle-themed building has recently been noticed on social media and various news outlets, many wondering if it was in fact an early White Castle. Given its aesthetic similarities to original White Castle restaurants and its location near Wichita, where White Castle was founded prior to moving its operations to Columbus, Ohio, in 1934, it’s understandable why people would think it could have been part of the pioneer fast-food chain. However, descendants of White Castle’s founder Billy Ingram have confirmed this particular diner was not a genuine White Castle.

“We can confirm that this was not a White Castle,” added Richardson. “Nevertheless, we have great reverence for all that the fast-food industry has done to serve up hot, tasty and affordable food across generations, and this building is a part of that important history.”

That is why White Castle is inviting any museums or historical societies interested in the building to contact White Castle’s home office at its historic preservation hotline at 614-559-2687. Should their joint proposal be selected by the current owners, White Castle will invest in transporting the building to its final destination.

And in a gesture of goodwill to competitors, Richardson said, “To McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and others, as the creator of our great industry we would be honored to get this building to one of your headquarters as a tribute to our shared humble beginnings and the positive impact we’ve had on our team members and the communities we serve.”

About White Castle^®

White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates more than 350 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine’s “Most Influential Burger of All Time” (2014, The Original Slider®) and Thrillist’s “Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger” (2019, Impossible Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the “10 Most Innovative Dining Companies.” White Castle, which earned the Great Place to Work^® Certification in 2021 and 2022, is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans (“Cravers”), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation^® loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle’s delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com. 

SOURCE White Castle