Walt Anderson, a former janitor and short order cook, sought to rehabilitate the hamburger's reputation. Passionate about burgers, he opened a small restaurant in Wichita dedicated to selling them. He grilled the burgers in front of his customers, allowing them to witness the cleanliness of the meat and equipment firsthand. This transparency helped build trust and led to the restaurant's success.
To expand his venture, Anderson partnered with Billy Ingram. Together, they began opening more hamburger restaurants designed to look like small white medieval forts, symbolizing purity and solidity. They named these establishments White Castles. In 1921, with just $700 and a vision, Anderson and Ingram started selling small, square hamburgers for five cents each. These burgers, easy to eat and sold by the sack, were affectionately called Sliders.
White Castle's unique business model and commitment to quality quickly gained popularity. By 1933, the corporate headquarters moved to Columbus, Ohio, reflecting the company's growth. Despite the Great Depression, White Castle thrived. By 1937, the company had nearly doubled its hamburger sales from 1930. This success contributed to the hamburger becoming a staple of American cuisine. The president of the National Restaurant Association even declared that the hamburger was as American as apple pie and coffee.
Today, White Castle remains a beloved fast-food chain, known for its innovative practices and iconic Sliders. The company's early focus on transparency and quality set a standard in the fast-food industry, and its legacy continues to influence how Americans perceive and enjoy hamburgers.
White Castle: The Birth of America's Iconic Fast-Food Hamburger
