White Castle, the Oldest Hamburger Chain in the U.S., Embraces On-Demand Tech
*By Michael Teich*
Convenience has been the prime selling point for fast-food joints for decades, but new technology and a surplus of on-demand delivery options are eating away at the value proposition for companies building their business around speed and drive-thru lanes.
"Delivery is really reshaping the whole landscape, and those that are early adapters are really going to benefit," said White Castle VP Jamie Richardson in an interview with Cheddar.
The popularity of on-demand delivery services has prompted restaurants to either create partnerships with those companies or risk falling behind and missing out on consumers who prioritize convenience. White Castle has made an effort to get on-board early by expanding delivery to more than 300 locations in partnerships with GrubHub ($GRUB), DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats.
"It's changing everything," Richardson added.
White Castle's mobile app is another way the Columbus-based chain is looking to optimize the consumer experience and boost sales. Richardson told Cheddar that White Castle's app "doubled in terms of the percent of sales it represented this year." People who order fast food via a mobile app or online increase their spending by 20 percent, according to Deloitte.
"For us, it's all about the app. The mobile app is something we can empower each of our customers with," he said.
While technological advancements and speed of delivery improve the consumer experience, quality of food and menu diversity are also crucial, Richardson stressed. Four months ago, White Castle became the largest fast-food chain to implement the Impossible Burger, a meatless burger substitute, on its menu.
It's not just for vegans, he said. "People love a range of tastes."
Karl Farmer, Vice President and Portfolio Managers at Rockland Trust Bank, breaks down why inflation and interest rates may stick at these levels, and why Bitcoin still carries some risks.
If you wince at the grocery store checkout, you’re not alone. Wall Street Journal reporter Jesse Newman breaks down why prices are so high – and not going down anytime soon.
An inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve increased in January, the latest sign that the slowdown in U.S. consumer price increases is occurring unevenly from month to month. (Getty Images)
Glen Smith, CIO at GDS Wealth Management, shares how investors can allocate their assets as the market broadens and why he’s eyeing June for the first potential rate cut.
After years of price increases for cars and trucks in the United States, costs are slowing and in some cases falling, helping cool overall inflation and giving frustrated Americans more hope of finding an affordable vehicle.
Missed out on the Nvidia wave? Oh course you did — you’re reading this article aren’t you, instead of luxuriating on a white-sand beaches of Bali. But here are at least four other promising semiconductor stocks to add to your portfolio.
