White Castle Essay

      Throughout this research process i was able to learn much more about the history of the fast food industry, and in particularly the restaurant White Castle. I have never been to a white castle in my entire life, meaning before this project i knew nothing about the restaurant. The first general information i learned about the restaurant was they served the small type of burger, a lot like the ones many know that Krystals serves.

A white castle meal deal

 However what many do not know is that White Castle was not only the first main seller of the burger, but also the first fast food restaurant in general.
       White castle first opened in Wichita, Kansas in 1921 under the ownership of Walter Anderson and Billy Ingram. The restaurant first sold small square burgers topped with onions, pickles and in between 2 buns which were typically served with a drink such as coffee. Due to a novel written by Upton Sinclair, titled "The Jungle" which describe the sketchiness of americas meat packing industry, many americans were afraid, and whitecastle's goal was to change that. In order to make the restaurants seem clean and sanitary, White Castles employees would wear all white and the restaraunts would be steel and white enameled on the inside. At first the buildings would be brick painted white, but throughout time the facilities started to be built with things such as steel to promote the cleanliness idea even greater.

The first White Castle. In Wichita Kansas

Modern White castle facility

 Also in order to gain popularity, the food was labeled as a tasty and nutritious meal that was claimed to be scientifically balanced in content of meat, wheat, and vegetable. In order to get loyale and trustworthy employees, white castle created a profit sharing plan which in one instance in 1929 the manager of the omaha white castles distributed 3000 to each of the employess which converts to 41000 today. Due to the fast food concept being so new, anderson and Ingram had to create their own supply chain of bakeries, butchers, warehouses, and such. White castle reigned the fast food industry which is shown in a newspaper ad for a business for sale, which when described is labeled as "like white castle" showing the popularity of the chain. Due to White Castle gaining a cult like following, in 1982 the restaurant branched out to the idea of shipping to customers who lived to far from a location. The burgers were shipped in dry ice in express mail and typically took 48 hours or less. Until other restaurants such as Wendy's and McDonalds gained power, white castle was the only fast food chain and is given credit to sparking the fast food industry which without, would make the world a very different place.



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