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."
Despite inflation, Americans aren’t giving up the gym. Crunch Fitness CEO Jim Rowley discusses strong growth, value-driven expansion and what the future holds.
Home prices far outpacing incomes, low inventory, and higher living costs are reshaping the market. WSJ’s Veronica Dagher breaks down the challenges ahead.
As commercial options tighten, more travelers are turning to private aviation. Wheels Up CEO George Mattson breaks down capacity and demand challenges.
Layoffs, hiring slowdowns, and shifting skill demands dominate this year’s job talk. LinkedIn’s Kory Kantenga explains what workers should watch for next.
Retailers face tariffs and cost challenges this holiday season. Wells Fargo's Lauren Murphy shares insights on pricing, promotions, and shopping trends.
Dateability, founded by sisters Jacqueline and Alexa Child, is the only dating app for disabled and chronically ill communities, fostering love without limits.
Some small grocery stores and neighborhood convenience stores are eager for the U.S. government shutdown to end and for their customers to start receiving federal food aid again. Late last month, the Trump administration froze funding for the SNAP benefits that about 42 million Americans use to buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 74% of the assistance was spent last year at superstores like Walmart and supermarkets like Kroger. Around 14% went to smaller stores that are more accessible to SNAP beneficiaries. A former director of the United Nations World Food Program says SNAP is not only a social safety net for families but a local economic engine that supports neighborhood businesses.
