Edgar Ingram (anb.org). Two years from today, what do you expect? People in Wichita loved the burgers. This refusal to franchise hasn't come without a cost, of course. Richardson: Being family-owned, our philosophy has been to not worry about being the biggest, but focus on being the best we can be. The book had impacted the good name of ground beef so much, that Anderson and business partner Billy A. Ingram choose the name "White Castle" to convey a sense of purity and strength. And to this day, its still a family-run business since Billys great-granddaughter Lisa Ingram serves as White Castles president and CEO. "We've spent 65 years building up a reputation and we do not intend to have other people capitalize on it," Gail Turley, White Castle's director of advertising said. The History of White Castle. "Billy" Ingram, launched the brand in 1921 with $700 and 5-cent sliders, innovating such platforms as carry-out with the tagline "Buy 'Em by the Sack . Ingram then moved the company's headquarters to Columbus, Ohio so as to be more centrally located near the new restaurants that were being built in the east. White Castle is entering its centennial year by transitioning its board chair from former White Castle President and CEO Bill Ingram to his daughter, the company's current president and CEO, Lisa Ingram, according to a news release. Ingram's great-grandfather, Edgar Waldo "Billy" A. Ingram, partnered with Walt A. Anderson, who ran burger food stands at the time, to open the first White Castle restaurant location in 1921 . He is widely considered the father of fast food recognized as its creator by industry media as early as 1957, before most modern fast-food brands were even born. Bill is the grandson of White Castle founder Billy Ingram, son of the company's second CEO E.W. Millions of dollars. White Castle is now headed by Ingram's grandson Edgar Waldo Ingram III; Ingram Sr.'s son Ingram Jr had taken over the position of CEO following the co-founder's death in 1966. After midnight, it goes from White Castle to Night Castle after a night of reverie. For more information about White Castle promo codes, reach out to your local store or . Any team member who encounters an unexpected hardship can apply for a confidential relief grant of up to $1,500. Billy Ingram died in Columbus on May 20, 1966, after battling a short illness. In addition, were there for hungry families who want great food for a great price. Nevermind that one's breath after eating hamburgers loaded with diced onions might kill any romance in the air this hasn't stopped White Castle from marketing itself as a Valentine's Day destination for several years now. While touting the safety of White Castle hamburgers was something its founders didn't take lightly, maintaining a clean image was of equal importance. Columbus CEO reported that 98.6 percent of all of White Castle's 450 employees in general management or higher roles worked their way up from behind a White Castle restaurant counter. "We try to make sure we don't complicate the operation of individual restaurants,said Ingram's grandson, Bill Ingram. Anderson's . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. How many burger joints can say that? The good thing is that anybody who feels they have a really good White Castle story or can prove their undying devotion is invited to apply, but "only a select few are committed enough to be among the elite," reads the company's website. The customer then was served up a slider made with unfrozen beef delicious. Our founder, Billy IngramBilly was an entrepreneurial kind of personstruck up a great friendship with restaurateur Walt Anderson. At least as far as romantics who like to spend February 14 dining over fast food are concerned. It was the company's speedy service of feeding customers with sacks of five-cent hamburgers cooked to an exact specification at each location that led to the creation of fast food, according to the company's own historical records. ", MEET THE AMERICAN WHO COOKED UP FROZEN FOODS: ADVENTURER AND INNOVATOR CLARENCE BIRDSEYE. You can still get a 10-sack of sliders for around $7, which can be shared by several people. Oscar Cainer tells all. He invested $700, they formed White Castle and they opened their first eatery together in 1921 on Main Street in Wichita. The Colorado native founded the world's first burger chain, White Castle, in Wichita, Kansas, . The book caused a sensation with its depiction of conditions in the meatpacking industry. Late comic book legend Stan Lee (1922-2018) a writer, editor, publisher and producer was a member of the White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame. They also appointed outsiders to the company's board which was a success. White Castle CMO, Kim Bartley hasn't released any official sales numbers, but said the test market more than doubled its goals thanks largely to social media buzz. We strive to keep White Castle relevant and quirky and fun., Relevancy includes introducing the plant-based Impossible Slider in 2018 and robotic fryers this year, and quirky includes the movie series spawned by 2004s Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.. Another fourth-generation family member is Dave Rife, a White Castle assistant vice president who appeared on the show "Undercover Boss." The innovative fry cook held the key to the future of American food. How Rich Is The White Castle CEO And What's The Average Pay Of Its Employees. When daughter Lisa wanted to try out smaller 'express' locations with limited menus where customers could quickly get a bunch of sliders, it didn't work, by the company tried it anyway. In just the past 20 years, sales have more than doubled to $675 million and the chain added about 100 stores. (Courtesy White Castle). And the biggest challenge is, how do you do that in a way that is more sustainable for your business. That's hardly the case, however, and the company remains incredibly selective about which markets it chooses to move into. It is known for its small, square hamburgers, 'I'm ready,' said E.W. Kerry J. Byrne is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital. White Castle founder Billy Ingram at the grill. Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more. But only one was the first. Even today, its expansion is slow as is still only in 12 states. . Elaine Miseta and White Castle's second president E. W. Ingram, Jr. In 1933, the company made a transition in ownership. I ate it," he said. The movie "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) featured a scene filmed in a White Castle restaurant, bringing nationwide recognition to the regional brand. How much was a White Castle hamburger in 1970? Walter Anderson and Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram, Sr., formed the White Castle System of Eating Houses Corporation in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. In the subsequent years, White Castle experienced significant growth, becoming a beloved fast . White Castle, the family chain still going strong. The modern cooking process might not adhere to tradition, but rules were made to be broken and we're all getting our sliders a lot faster because of Howell's idea. That statement wouldn't be so odd, if not for the fact that White Castle doesn't have a single restaurant in the Lone Star state. He was 85 years old. (Courtesy White Castle). Or was it six? How many new outlets did it open in 2019? Local burger cook Walter Anderson (left) and entrepreneur Billy Ingram founded White Castle in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. The outsiders brought new ideas, fresh perspectives and asked tough questions. Richardson: It covers a range. In fact, there are no franchises, though it has two license partnerships with operators who run four outlets in Las Vegas and four in Shanghai. Delivery is increasing at many restaurant chains. We have a presence in all 50 states in grocery stores, where were in all major supermarkets like Sams Club and Wal-Mart. With just $700, Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram and Walter Anderson opened a tiny white, castle-looking burger shack in Wichita, Kansas. White Castle supplements its in-store product with a vast fast-food business. Private ownership has also let the company remain true to its roots instead of chasing fads and to cultivate something of a cult following. "Castle to indicate permanence and stability. The company was formally incorporated in 1924, and that same year the two men opened their first restaurant outside of Wichita. Richardson: We opened three including a large location in Scottsdale, Arizona, our first in that state. Billy Ingram moved White Castle to Columbus in 1934 after buying out Anderson's share of the business. World hot-dog eating champion and food legend Joey Chestnut is a White Castle enthusiast. Looking at those who aren't general managers, Indeed indicated that White Castle's cashiers and team members make $10.52 to $11.42 an hour. But the meat industry nationwide had fallen on hard times as Ingram and Anderson looked to grow White Castle. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman). "W e first opened our doors in Wichita, Kansas, in March of 1921. Many years before the movie, Super Size Me (2004), Ingram persuaded biochemist Jesse McClendon to conduct a scientific experiment. after 99 years, located in Bloomington, Minnesota. He recently ordered 50 sliders at a Las Vegas White Castle just for fun. Stray from the past and you risk losing cult followers. It's a real catch-22 and one that White Castle super-fan Martin Kessman knows all too well. Number 8860726. White Castle wears its "oldest American fast-food chain" badge loudly. MEET THE AMERICAN WHO INVENTED THE CRASH TEST DUMMY, A LIFE-SAVING INNOVATION, "White Castles rise to cult status was nothing short of miraculous," raved burger enthusiast and "Howard Stern Show" radio personality Jon Hein in the debut episode of TV program "Fast Food Mania.". The Wichita, Kan., eatery served hamburger sandwiches, pie . White Castle offers benefits to go with those wages. White Castle burgers and fries. Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram was born in humble circumstances in Leadville, Colorado, in 1880. By the time his son, Edgar, took over in 1966, White Castle had sold a billion burgers. Today, if a Kansan gets a craving for a fresh White Castle slider they have to take a road trip to the nearest location in Columbia, Missouri. Once pioneers in the industry, they now 'refer back to what great-grandfather Billy would do, forgetting the fact that it's 2014 and that's not really relevant anymore.'. Each year a panel of judges comb through the thousands of entries and select up to a lucky dozen for inclusion. Journalist Upton Sinclair had published "The Jungle," his scathing novel of the meatpacking industry, in 1906. White Castle began developing the plant-based burger with Impossible Foods back in 2017, and after 18 months had a product it was ready to send to test market. You can order a slider for 85 cents. 4 the first shop the partners opened together. The company refuses to franchise. Elaine Miseta and White Castle's second president E. W. Ingram, Jr. There's a reason that it's called White Castle and not green or blue Castle. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Behold, the Impossible slider! One way the Ingram-White Castle Foundation honors that legacy today is to help students achieve their educational dreams through scholarships. Ingram, Jr. made an $11 million gift, providing additional resources for grantmaking. Meanwhile, White Castle continues to expand its Craver Nation. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. After 100 years and four generations of family ownership, White Castle continues to remain an iconic symbol in the restaurant industry. Krispy Kreme eventually backed out of the idea and a fictional hot dog stand was swapped in place before reaching out to White Castle executives who loved the idea. When Mr Ingram finally walks out of the door as he steps down from his position, he'll be handing the reins over to his daughter, Lisa, the current president. Our goal is to continue to grow and stretch our overall profitability and business revenue. ", The movie "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) featured a scene filmed in a White Castle restaurant, bringing nationwide recognition to the regional brand. Photo: @mrzbreeze / Instagram The original Craver, Billy Ingram, founded White Castle in 1921 and created an American icon that is still family-owned today. Credit or blame, as the case may be entrepreneur Billy Ingram. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Theyre still hungry for more sliders and that keeps them happy. Mr Ingram, who is 65, is the grandson of White Castle's founder, E.W. Bill Ingram is retiring after 43 years with White Castle, however he will still remain on the chain's board, White Castle was founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. The Ingram-White Castle Foundation established its scholarship in 1989 to honor founder Billy Ingram's core belief in the importance of . Who does that appeal to? Elizabeth Ingram Net Worth Elizabeth Ingram biography. (Courtesy Alice Cooper). Lisa Ingram, CEO of White Castle, joins "Squawk on the Street" to discuss reopening restaurants and the company's new automated robot. Inside Frogmore Cottage: Plush home Harry and Meghan have been 'evicted' from by King Charles boasts a roomy Charles evicting Harry and Meghan is the act of a King putting his country first: REBECCA ENGLISH reveals A royal princess at Eton? The White Castle Story: The Birth Of Fast Food & The Burger Revolution (consumerist.com). White Castle isn't the first that accolade goes to Taco Bell but they've arguably had one of the biggest recent vegan successes in fast food. By the '80s, White Castle prices had risen almost threefold, with a burger selling for 27 cents. (Getty Images). Still, Bill Ingram leaves the helm of a company much bigger than the one he inherited. Reply. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. White Castle enjoyed a trophy silver screen moment in the landmark 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever" when Brooklyn disco celebrity Tony Manero (John Travolta) takes his date to the burger joint with his classless buddies. The tiny burgers, about 2 inches square, are still sizzled in onions today, the top bun steaming on top of the patty largely unchanged from the way Anderson cooked them years before. The brand, which was founded by Billy Ingram in 1921, turned 100 last year, and it was indeed the first American fast-food joint to celebrate a centennial anniversary. Oh, and if you're wondering where this holiday came from, because it sounds way too much like a marketing gimmick to be any sort of legit holiday, well, you're totally right. Billy Ingram passed stewardship of White Castle along to his son E.W. Kentucky Fried Chicken (now KFC) opened in 1930; Dairy Queen in 1940; and Jack in the Box in 1951, among others. (White Castle made $738.3 million in 2019, according to The Business Journals. How fitting! In the 1980s, KFC had their Chicken Littles sliders and Burger King tried its own version of the slider called the Burger Bundle. Sunday at 9 pm on Spectrum News 1 @WhiteCastle @wclisaingram. The company was founded in 1921 by the late E.W. In . While it might have sounded like bizarre fraternity hazing ritual, med student Bernard Flesche kept a journal of his burger and water diet, eating 20 to 24 of the small hamburgers a day. Building communities remains a focus for Ingram and the White Castle brand. Credit or blame, as the case may be entrepreneur Billy Ingram. I think you fear a dilution of the company philosophy a little bit.. (Courtesy White Castle), He added, "[White Castle] had these efficiencies built into it that really spoke to the fascinations of the era. A Man's Home Is His Castle: Ex-insurance man Billy Ingram (1) co-founded White Castle in 1921, taking pains to make sure both interiors and employees (2) looked spotless. His original slider hamburger cost just 5 cents 101 years ago. The company wants to maintain "semi-localized" menu offerings and keep restaurant locations within close proximity to its supply facilities. It remains privately held today, and its restaurants, all in the U.S., are all company owned; none is franchised. Were also looking into returning to Manhattan, not too far from Times Square, but no lease has been signed. Old White Castle employee checklists show that employees were to maintain a strict code of appearance. On average, employees at White Castle stay with the company for 3.0 years. We like to say any time is crave time. It means we want to invite people to come by when theyre most hungry. Walt Anderson. As a member of the family that owns the multi-million-dollar White Castle chain, Ingram probably has a significant share of the company's net worth. As for Flesche, well, he reportedly swore off burgers and died at 54 years old from heart problems many years after the experiment was complete. If Krispy Kreme is going to capitalize on National Doughnut Day and Popeyes is going to play along with National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, then you can bet that White Castle is going to jump on the bandwagon for National Slider Day. She is even looking at a couple of new brands too: Laughing Noodle, a Chinese restaurant with three outlets in Ohio and Kentucky; Blaze Modern BBQ, a smoke joint with two locations in Indianapolis; and Deckers Grilled Sandwiches, a lunch food joint in Tennessee and Kentucky. Richardson: Our biggest surprise of 2019 was delivery sales. This means it isn't required to report information such as the CEO's salary. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, White Castle founder Billy Ingram at the grill. . Yet, the company is largely responsible for giving birth to the idea of the fast food chain and helping to popularize the hamburger. While it probably won't become a White Castle restaurant again, Hartman is hopeful that he can find a long-term tenant that sees the value in the history of the building that only had room for five stools in its early years. Ingram helped found in 1921 the White Castle System, noted for its inexpensive burgers, years before [the] recent boom in hamburger chain operations," The New York Times . People are rediscovering the Castle. Jan 10, 2020. While the rise ofmicro-holidays filling up social media might cause some to roll their eyes, these goofy holidays do have their perks. In 2014, Time Magazine declared our iconic Original Slider the most influential burger of all time. The chain's website lists health, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees. Meat shortages, government-imposed price ceilings, and wage freezes continued . Take the name and color of the building for instance. Legal Statement. We're talking about fans of marijuana and White Castle's time in the Hollywood spotlight with the 2004 movie Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle. The 1950s brought competition in the form of new hamburger chains. (Courtesy White Castle). Long story short, Coastal Castle no longer exists. Richardson: Were taking a longer view and keeping in touch with what our customers are telling us. In 1921, Billy Ingram launched a family-owned business with $700 and an idea, selling five-cent, small, square hamburgers so easy to eat, they were dubbed Sliders and sold by the sack. Tricky emoji quiz will put your knowledge of childhood classics to the test. The original slider provides a certain comfort and source of good memory that creates a feeling of affinity and coming home, whether thats at the drive-thru or freezer aisle. The original Craver, Billy Ingram, founded White Castle in 1921 and created an American icon that is still family-owned today. POPEYES THANKSGIVING TURKEY AVAILABLE FOR DOOSTEP DELIVERY FOR 1ST TIME. En 1933, Ingram compr la parte de su negocio a Anderson, y traslad la sede de la compaa a Columbus . After one school says it is families' responsibility to police their children's social media spats, Jenni White Castle CEO passes reins to fourth generation | The Columbus Dispatch, White Castle: A Cult Classic Searching For New Sizzle, [(Selling 'Em by the Sack: White Castle and the Creation of American Food )] [Author: David Gerard Hogan] [Nov-1999]: David Gerard Hogan: Amazon.com: Books, Do not sell or share my personal information. Way back in 1933, the company packed up and moved its main headquarters to Columbus, Ohio where it has remained ever since. Anderson died December 13, 1963, in Wichita, Kansas. The company has not only received attention for their "fashionable" uniforms but has been one of the first fast food chains to show transparency by creating a website to display restaurant health scores online. He is widely . . Billy Ingram invested $700 in a Wichita, Kansas, burger joint in 1921 and helped inspire a global food phenomenon. To throw a little bit of movie trivia at you, White Castle's starring role nearly didn't happen because the movie's screenwriters initially had the two friends searching for a Krispy Kreme doughnuts location to satisfy their munchies. Ingram Jr., who passed it on to E.W. Among some of the more famous names who can claim membership are the creators and actors of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and shock rocker Alice Cooper who has loved the burgers since his childhood days in Detroit. "His hamburger sandwich proved popular enough for Anderson to open three hamburger stands in Wichita between 1916 and 1920.". Billy Ingram, launched the brand in 1921 with $700 and 5-cent sliders, innovating such platforms as carry-out with the tagline Buy Em by the Sack newspaper coupons and patented five-hole beef patties for faster cooking. They were not shy about leaning into their age, running so many promotions that it was almost . As McDonald's and other burger franchises dominate the American landscape, White Castle with approximately 375 locations in 14 states, remains a modest . "It's easier to get into Harvard than the Cravers Hall of Fame," said White Castle spokesman Jamie Richardson. This lack of gut space became a real problem when Kessman tried to squeeze into one of the booths and injured his knee in the process. Were still family-owned and dont seek the limelight as much, but social media has been a place where our followers are bigger than our footprint. This business is controlled by descendants of Billy Ingram. Market data provided by Factset. Indiana Landmarks then put it on the market for $70,000, where it sat for two years before it was finally purchased with a few stipulations, of course. At White Castle, the most compensated executive makes $700,000, annually, and the lowest compensated makes $50,000. "Hamburger was not a food that self-respecting moms would feed their family," said Richardson. Unlike many of its larger competitors, the privately owned chain has not relied on franchising to finance its growth. Charles D Kamer. Richardson: They are steam-grilled on a bed of onions. It was back in 1921 when Billy Ingram took out a $700 loan and, with friend Walt Anderson, opened a shack in Wichita, Kansas. 'But they said my ID will still work at the door.'. He leaves the helm of a company much bigger than the one he inherited. Title page for Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle," 1906. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images), "I chill at White Castle cause its the best," the trio rapped in "The New Style.". Richardson: Were smaller than our bigger competitors so we have to be smarter. Our focus is still on great value. We reach traditional media like TV and radio, but its very targeted. In 1947, White Castle modified its famous Slider, adding five holes to speed cooking and add flavor. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images). "In 1916, Anderson developed a different method of preparing a hamburger sandwich by flattening a ball of ground meat and cooking it with onions on a hot griddle for a short period of time," writes the Kansas Business Hall of fame. Today more than ever, the next generation of customers is asking for authenticity and thats something we can claim with a clear conscience. White Castle Contact Info. "It's easier to get into Harvard than the Cravers Hall of Fame," said White Castle spokesman Jamie Richardson. Ingram is the great-granddaughter of White Castle founder Billy Ingram, per Forbes, and Columbus Business First noted that she is one of 10 fourth-generation family members in leadership positions with the company. For access to live and. With Lisa in charge from the start of next year, the company appears to be in good hands. There, he became active in the Rotary Club and met local businessman and burger-shop owner Walter Anderson. The 1940s ended bleakly for White Castle. White Castle president Lisa Ingram will take over for CEO Bill Ingram, her father, who will be retiring at the end of the year, The first White Castle restaurant in the Western U.S. opened in Las Vegas earlier this year. /sites/all/themes/penton_subtheme_nrn/images/logos/footer.png, White Castle CEO and president Lisa Ingram, Meet the innovative, inclusive and industry changing leaders of the 2021 NRN Power List, 2023 Informa USA, Inc., All rights reserved, Allowed HTML tags: . Slider cravings with the late night crowd don't seem to be entirely the stuff of Hollywood fiction either. Credit or blame, as the case may be entrepreneur Billy Ingram. Started in 1921, by Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram, a Wichita real estate and insurance agent and Walt Anderson, who created a tiny, square hamburger. "We invented National Slider Day as a special tribute to the fans who share that appreciation for the slider and share their Cravings with us," White Castle VP Jamie Richardson, said in a press release. Rather than wait for his local White Castle to install bigger booths, or dare take an even more extreme approach and lose a few pounds, Kessman sued White Castleunder the Americans with Disabilities Act for not providing him with six more inches of "gut space," according to Forbes. Why not? When Billy Ingram moved White Castle's headquarters to Columbus, he knew he wanted to give beyond the burger. If someone said that feels corporate, thats the worst insult we can endure. There are now 400 restaurants in 13 states. With just $700, Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram and Walter Anderson opened a tiny white, castle-looking burger shack in Wichita, Kansas.