White Castlesprang from the grill of fry cook Walter Anderson, who operated his own hamburger shop in Wichita, Kansas. In May 1921, Anderson teamed up with local businessman E.W. "Billy" Ingram, who provided $700 to open the first of what he hoped would be many White Castle hamburger shops. And, while White Castle would never become a truly "national" chain, it did indeed grow into a major chain, with shops located in several major cities across the country. By limiting the menu largely to hamburgers (which originally sold for 5 cents apiece) and beverages, White Castle continues to be a major hamburger chain to this day. Ironically, White Castle closed its original stores in Kansas in 1938 and does not currently operate any stores in the state.
Highlights from the History of White Castle
1921 The first White Castle opens in Wichita, Kansas.
1930 White Castle hires a food
scientist to run tests to determine the nutritional value
of White Castle hamburgers. One study involves having a
medical student live on nothing but White Castle burgers
and water for 13 weeks, with no ill effects reported.
1931 White Castle begins using frozen beef patties and develops a crush-resistant cardboard carton that is specially lined to keep the burgers hot.
1932 White Castle runs the first fast food coupon advertising campaign, offering 5 hamburgers for the price of 2.
1949 Five holes are added to
the already uniquely-shaped hamburger patty.
1954 White Castle patents its square hamburger patty with five holes.
1961 White Castle becomes the first hamburger chain to reach the 1 billion in sales mark.
1962 Cheeseburgers are added to the White Castle menu.
1968 The 2 billion in sales mark is achieved.
1986 The Smithereens, a New Jersey rock group, records "White Castle Blues" on its debut album.
1987 Frozen White Castle hamburgers and cheeseburgers are introduced to grocery stores.
Official White Castle website: www.whitecastle.com