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."
Multiple U.S. owners of Hyundai's popular Ioniq 5 electric SUV have complained of completely or partially losing propulsive power, many after hearing a loud popping noise, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Saturday.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford told CNN's 'Fareed Zakaria that despite recent gains the U.S. was still not in a position to compete with China in the production of electric vehicles.
Global stock markets followed Wall Street lower Monday after the top U.S. diplomat met China's leader but the two sides gave no sign of progress on an array of conflicts.
Supergoop! is a skincare brand whose products are what the company says is 100% dedicated to sun care. Amanda Baldwin, CEO of Supergoop!, joined Cheddar News to discuss why sunscreen is important to add to daily routines. "What I love about this company is ... it really is based on scientific fact," Baldwin said. "90% of the signs of aging comes from the sun ... one in five of us will be diagnosed with skin cancer in our lifetime so making sunscreen a daily habit is probably one of the most simple things you can do for your health."
College enrollment rates for high school graduates in the U.S. has been on the decline since 2009. Sean Behr, CEO of Fountain a high-volume hiring platform, joined Cheddar News to discuss why high school graduates are benefitting from the value of attending a trade school, especially in today's economy.
