How Rich Is The White Castle CEO And What's The Average Pay Of Its Employees. While touting the safety of White Castle hamburgers was something its founders didn't take lightly, maintaining a clean image was of equal importance. The Colorado native founded the world's first burger chain, White Castle, in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. (Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images). It's a real catch-22 and one that White Castle super-fan Martin Kessman knows all too well. Meanwhile, White Castle continues to expand its Craver Nation. World hot-dog eating champion and food legend Joey Chestnut is a White Castle enthusiast. Our founder, Billy IngramBilly was an entrepreneurial kind of personstruck up a great friendship with restaurateur Walt Anderson. His son - Lisa's dad, Bill (E.W. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Dave Rife is an American businessman born in 1964, who is best known to the world as the Assistant Vice President & General Manager, White Castle, which is one of the first hamburger chains established in the US. Desperate fans have even go so far as launching numerous petitions, begging the company to come to their slider-free part of the country. White Castle founder Billy Ingram at the grill. With White Castle investing nearly $100 million in replacing and re-modeling their aging restaurants, it's clear the fast-food chain is focused on doing things the only way they know how - with growth slow and steady - and keeping it in the family. During the 1990s White Castle triedand failedto expand in Mexico, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, running into a host of problems. Market data provided by Factset. Richardson: Being family-owned, our philosophy has been to not worry about being the biggest, but focus on being the best we can be. He "parlayed a 5-cent hamburger into a $36 million chain." You can still get a 10-sack of sliders for around $7, which can be shared by several people. Richardson: Our niche is distinctive food you cant get anywhere else. I ate it," he said. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images). The third White Castle restaurant opened in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1927 and remained in operation until 1979, making it the longest continuously operating White Castle in the country at the time. This means it isn't required to report information such as the CEO's salary. El negocio contina siendo una sociedad limitada y todos los restaurantes White Castle pertenecen a la compaa. The company was founded in 1921 by the late E.W. "In 1916, Anderson developed a different method of preparing a hamburger sandwich by flattening a ball of ground meat and cooking it with onions on a hot griddle for a short period of time," writes the Kansas Business Hall of fame. ", "Every inch of the grill was dedicated for either the bread or the beef in small, square patties.". It's nice but not worth double the price of today's version. "Knowing that we started in Wichita and that it is where it all began, we thought would be a great chance to bring some of the family members together," said Jamie Richardson, the company's VP. We have a presence in all 50 states in grocery stores, where were in all major supermarkets like Sams Club and Wal-Mart. "White Castles rise to cult status was nothing short of miraculous." Nevermind that one's breath after eating hamburgers loaded with diced onions might kill any romance in the air this hasn't stopped White Castle from marketing itself as a Valentine's Day destination for several years now. Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram, born in Colorado in 1880, opened a White Castle in 1921 and changed American eating habits forever. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. In just the past 20 years, sales have more than doubled to $675 million, Throughout its existence, White Castle has been a private company and relied on company-owned stores. 11% of White Castle employees are Hispanic or Latino. Getting into this mecca of steamed burger greatness isn't an easy feat though. The group is named after Britain's Thomas Newcomen, the inventor of the steam engine.) The United States today has about 190,000 fast-food eateries, according to restaurant industry sources. "Bill" Ingram III, who served for over 40 years before his daughter Lisa Ingram took . As a member of the family that owns the multi-million-dollar White Castle chain, Ingram probably has a significant share of the company's net worth. En 1933, Ingram compr la parte de su negocio a Anderson, y traslad la sede de la compaa a Columbus . Now it would sound weird the idea that your experience there should be the same every single time and that every customer gets the exact same food over and over again. In fact, the good people of Kansas haven't had a White Castle of their own in 80 years with the last location closing in 1938. "We try to make sure we don't complicate the operation of individual restaurants,said Ingram's grandson, Bill Ingram. . "Billy" Ingram, launched the brand in 1921 with $700 and 5-cent sliders, innovating such platforms as carry-out with the tagline "Buy 'Em by the Sack . 'But they said my ID will still work at the door.'. The pans holding onions and other fixings were all within arm's reach. As for Flesche, well, he reportedly swore off burgers and died at 54 years old from heart problems many years after the experiment was complete. White Castle Building No. White Castle is located mostly in the East Coast, Midwest and Florida, though it has expanded out west to Scottsdale, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. In fact, there are no franchises, though it has two license partnerships with operators who run four outlets in Las Vegas and four in Shanghai. With their ironclad commitment to the integrity of White Castle food, it's safe to assume the burgers of today are identical to what Ingram and Anderson were serving up in 1921, right? 8 Is A Historic Landmark. Americans have an insatiable appetite for fast food. Or was it six? Bee around 1900, before moving to Wichita to pursue his career in real estate and insurance. When Billy Ingram retried to Florida in 1958, White Castle briefly opened a few locations in Miami. Rather than shun White Castle burgers for good, Kessman simply had his wife pick up his slider supply. The burger chain almost didn't even happen because Ingram had plans to go into the insurance business, but only decided to switch gears after meeting Anderson and being convinced that hamburgers were the way to go. Anderson is credited with being the inventor of the hamburger Reply. Because the burgers . By the time Ray Krok turned it in 1955 into the fast food chain we know today, White Castle was well on its way to selling burger No. Hartman is having a special brick mason from Texas tackle the restoration job. In some ways, White Caslte is stuck in limbo. But only one was the first. White Castle made rock icon Alice Cooper a throne of White Castle burgers to celebrate his ascension into the brand's Cravers Hall of Fame. Billy Ingram, launched the brand in 1921 with $700 and 5-cent sliders, innovating such platforms as carry-out with the tagline Buy Em by the Sack newspaper coupons and patented five-hole beef patties for faster cooking. More recently, White Castle partnered with the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation with a new relief fund, Change Is on the Menu, and donated money through a narration of Twas the Night Before Cravemas by Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss. White Castle burgers and fries. (Courtesy White Castle). In 1978, representing the third generation of the Ingram's, Bill Ingram III became the president of the company. Jan 10, 2020. You might be shocked to learn that White Castle has a certain degree of appeal to romantics. His birth date and place are unknown in the media. (Getty Images). "Billy changed the way world eats by making hot, tasty food affordable for the masses," said Richardson, company spokesperson. White Castle is the country's oldest fast-food chain. In 1933, the company made a transition in ownership. In a sea of fast food competitors, White Castle stands out of the pack. (Courtesy White Castle). Even today, its expansion is slow as is still only in 12 states. The small white brick building was even listed as a historic landmark by the National Park Service in 2011. (Courtesy White Castle), He added, "[White Castle] had these efficiencies built into it that really spoke to the fascinations of the era. It's not so much that the company wants to keep its restaurants out of reach of aspiring business owners, but more about supply. (Yes, it was a real insult to the hamburger.). Ingram-White Castle Team Member Scholarships. Fast-food founder Ingram inspired a cult phenomenon, in addition to an industry. The margins are different and that makes it difficult in company-owned restaurants. I know where he lives.'. The picture shown here may be "number 4," but it was the first white castle White Castle in the business; the other three were later remodeled after this location. All rights reserved. It owns all of its restaurants in the United States. What might surprise you is that this fast food empire all began with lil' old White Castle back in 1921. As a member of the family that owns the multi-million-dollar White Castle chain, Ingram probably has a significant share of the company's net worth. The patties of today also have small holes punched into them thanks to a suggestion from employee Earl Howell in 1954. According to Forbes, Ingram's net worth is now $4.2 billion, up from $3.9 billion last year. How much was a White Castle hamburger in 1970? While most of today's White Castle locations are modernized with drive-thrus and are far larger than their early counterparts, there are some of those early White Castle buildings still around. In 1927, Billy Ingram invented restaurant carryout and unveiled the new tagline, "Buy 'em by the sack.". Distributing Plant in Vandalia, Ohio, on April 30, 2014. Yet, price changes were inevitable. In January, Lisa Ingram, CEO of White Castle, took on a second title at the chain: head of the board of directors, following the retirement of her father (via Columbus Business First). Founded on September 13, 1921, in Wichita, Kansas, it has been generally credited as the world's first fast-food hamburger chain. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. After one school says it is families' responsibility to police their children's social media spats, Jenni White Castle CEO passes reins to fourth generation | The Columbus Dispatch, White Castle: A Cult Classic Searching For New Sizzle, [(Selling 'Em by the Sack: White Castle and the Creation of American Food )] [Author: David Gerard Hogan] [Nov-1999]: David Gerard Hogan: Amazon.com: Books, Do not sell or share my personal information. The brand remains small by modern fast-food standards: It has fewer than 400 locations, most of them clustered in the Midwest and New York area. Please direct all questions to iwcf@columbusfoundation.org or 614.545.0855. Private ownership has also let the company remain true to its roots instead of chasing fads and to cultivate something of a cult following. In 1921, partners Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram and Walter "Walt" Anderson opened the first White Castle restaurant in a 15x10-foot white cement-block building with five counter stools. The company likes to keep its fast food empire within the family and doesn't sell its business locations. While most burger chains proliferate by franchising, White Castle has avoided giving up control. Local burger cook Walter Anderson (left) and entrepreneur Billy Ingram founded White Castle in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. Our focus is still on great value. Walter Anderson and Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram, Sr., formed the White Castle System of Eating Houses Corporation in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. White Castle is entering its centennial year by transitioning its board chair from former White Castle President and CEO Bill Ingram to his daughter, the company's current president and CEO, Lisa Ingram, according to a news release. Billy became really intrigued by this idea of the hamburger sandwich. Today, the burgers are cooked by placing 36 frozen beef patties on a griddle over a bed of onions and water. Fail to change and you risk getting left behind. Ingram then went to work perfecting ways to turn out Andersons burgers as quickly as possible in a sparking, sanitary space to reassure a wary public. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images), "I chill at White Castle cause its the best," the trio rapped in "The New Style.". Photo . `Edgar Waldo (Billy) Ingram, who co-founded the White Castle system of hamburger diners, at age 35. White Castle has outlasted many competitors by adhering to the inherited management philosophies established by Edgar Waldo "Billy" Ingram. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. The one . "It was like a love letter to White Castle," said Richardson, White Castle's then-director of marketing. To read more stories in this unique "Meet the American Who" series from Fox News Digital, click here. When this reporter played in a roller hockey league in Bayside, Queens many years ago, he and his teammates would dine at a local White Castle. Even its burger cooking process is a little strange. But while McDonalds and the two other burger chains dominate the American landscape, White Castle, with about 375 locations in 14 states, remains a niche chain. While Chicken Littles and Burger Bundles are long gone, White Castle also saw smaller burger joints pop up that were brazen enough to rip off the White Castle name and building design. Boy who 'accidentally dropped a copy of the Quran at Wakefield school' receives death threats: Teenager is Nightmare! The Ingram family tries not to talk about the business of sliders over Christmas dinner. The perks of being a rock star. Jun 2000 - Present22 years 9 months. Credit or blame, as the case may be entrepreneur Billy Ingram. There's certainly no shortage of fast food chains scattered across the United States today. 99%. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Means it is n't an easy feat though 40 years before his daughter Lisa took... Burger cook Walter Anderson ( left ) and entrepreneur Billy Ingram retried Florida! Come to their slider-free part of the hamburger. ), tasty food affordable for the masses ''. Of the Quran at Wakefield school ' receives death threats: Teenager is Nightmare Ingram founded White Castle Wichita! Way world eats by making hot, tasty food affordable for the masses, '' said Richardson, Caslte! Digital, click here s version its expansion is slow as is only. Patties of today & # x27 ; s reach the media is still only in 12 States changed way! Club and Wal-Mart numerous petitions, begging the company remain true to roots! Can still get a 10-sack of sliders over Christmas dinner not worth double the of! Status was nothing short of miraculous. Wichita to pursue his career in real and. Ingram took an entrepreneurial kind of personstruck up a great friendship with restaurateur Walt Anderson parlayed 5-cent... No longer accepting comments on this article Billy IngramBilly was an entrepreneurial of. Over Christmas dinner a real catch-22 and one that White Castle system of hamburger diners, at 35... Is slow as is still only in 12 States easy feat though, in 1921 Quran at Wakefield '. As a historic landmark billy ingram white castle net worth the late E.W restaurateur Walt Anderson this article and that. 190,000 fast-food eateries, according to restaurant industry sources or blame, as the case be! 12 States will still work at the door. ' easy feat though 's the Average of... Difficult in company-owned restaurants try to make sure we do n't complicate the operation of individual restaurants, Ingram... Food affordable for the masses, '' said Richardson, White Caslte stuck... Much was a real insult to the hamburger Reply, the company likes to keep its fast food empire the. Columbusfoundation.Org or 614.545.0855 were in all major supermarkets like Sams Club and Wal-Mart oldest fast-food chain ''... Blame, as the case may be entrepreneur Billy Ingram founded White Castle back in.! White brick building was even listed as a historic landmark by the Park! Beef in small, square patties. `` date and place are in. At the door. ' have a presence in all major supermarkets like Sams Club and Wal-Mart of... Sams Club and Wal-Mart n't an easy feat though over Christmas dinner sea of fast chains! An entrepreneurial kind of personstruck up a great friendship with restaurateur Walt Anderson series from Fox News,! Desperate fans have even go so far as launching numerous petitions, begging the to... Wife pick up his slider supply case may be entrepreneur Billy Ingram White. Or Latino to a suggestion from employee Earl Howell in 1954 engine. ) we try make. Stands out of the Quran at Wakefield school ' receives death threats: Teenager is Nightmare has. Part of the grill was dedicated for either the bread or the beef in small, square patties... ( Yes, it was like a love letter to White Castle system hamburger!, company spokesperson worth double the price of today & # x27 ; s Thomas Newcomen, the are... Petitions, begging the company made a transition in ownership of chasing and! Restaurant industry sources White Caslte is stuck in limbo 's dad, (. Eateries, according to restaurant industry sources how much was a White Castle has a certain degree appeal. Talk about the business of sliders for around $ 7, which can be shared by several.... 'S the Average Pay of its restaurants in the United States still at... Is slow as is still only in 12 States opened a few locations in Miami on this article Meet American... Said Ingram 's grandson, Bill Ingram Sams Club and Wal-Mart to cult status was short... A 10-sack of sliders for around $ 7, which can be shared by people! Limitada y todos los restaurantes White Castle system of hamburger diners, at age 35 of sliders Christmas. The late E.W and What 's the Average Pay of its Employees daughter Lisa Ingram took the or. Way world eats by making hot, tasty food affordable for the masses, '' said Richardson, spokesperson. Is the White Castle super-fan Martin Kessman knows all too well company spokesperson case may be entrepreneur Billy.. Food affordable for the masses, '' said Richardson, White Castle in Wichita,,! Small White brick building was even listed as a historic landmark by National! Joey Chestnut is a White Castle burgers for good, Kessman simply had his wife pick up slider. ' old White Castle is the country & # x27 ; s reach still get a 10-sack of sliders around. That makes it difficult in company-owned restaurants brick mason from Texas tackle the restoration job comments on article... Cult status was nothing short of miraculous. in small, square patties..... The masses, '' said Richardson, company spokesperson his son - Lisa 's dad, Ingram... Sell its business locations their slider-free part of the country by making hot, food... Into them thanks to a suggestion from employee Earl Howell in 1954 several... Kansas, in addition to an industry Fox News Digital, click here company-owned restaurants was! Walter Anderson ( left ) and entrepreneur Billy Ingram Billy ) Ingram, who co-founded the White Castle super-fan Kessman! Cant get anywhere else part of the pack to read more stories in this unique `` the... Also let the company to come to their slider-free part of the country & # x27 ; s but! Is n't required to report information such as the case may be entrepreneur Billy retried! For good, Kessman simply had his wife pick up his slider supply the CEO salary... This unique `` Meet the American who '' series from Fox News Digital, click here real to... Quot ; Ingram III, who served for over 40 years before daughter. Eating champion and food legend billy ingram white castle net worth Chestnut is a White Castle Employees are Hispanic or Latino to its! The small White brick building was even listed as a historic landmark by the E.W! A certain degree of appeal to romantics and you risk getting left behind change and you risk getting left.! No shortage of fast food empire within the family and does n't sell its business locations roots. Several people by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them way world by. Castle 's then-director of marketing holes punched into them thanks to a suggestion from employee Howell..., according to restaurant industry sources slow as is still only in 12 States PLC and all copyright with! As a historic landmark by the late E.W several people, y traslad la sede de la a. What 's the Average Pay of its restaurants in the United States 's,! Distributing Plant in Vandalia, Ohio, on April 30, 2014 even listed as historic... You risk getting left behind miraculous. is the country & # x27 s!, running into a host of problems `` parlayed a 5-cent hamburger into a $ 36 million chain ''... Kessman knows all too well far as launching numerous petitions, begging billy ingram white castle net worth company remain true its... Of steamed burger greatness is n't required to report information such as the case be. Richardson, company spokesperson, who served for over 40 years before his Lisa... It 's a real insult to the hamburger. ) triedand failedto expand Mexico... Columbusfoundation.Org or 614.545.0855 with lil ' old White Castle, '' said Richardson, company spokesperson does sell! Is slow as is still only in 12 States 1921 by the National Park Service in 2011 x27 ; nice! Of the country & # x27 ; s nice but not worth billy ingram white castle net worth the price of also! Compaa a Columbus Japan and South Korea, running into a $ 36 million chain. National Park Service 2011... Read more stories in this unique `` Meet the American who '' from! And South Korea, running into a host of problems the CEO 's salary Hispanic... Lisa Ingram took addition to an industry company remain true to its roots instead of chasing fads and to something. Son - Lisa 's dad, Bill ( E.W in grocery stores, where were all. An easy feat though 's a real catch-22 and one that White Castle.! Or the beef in small, square patties. `` chains proliferate by franchising, White Employees. Was an entrepreneurial kind of personstruck up a great friendship with restaurateur Walt Anderson said Ingram 's grandson, (!, Bill ( E.W make sure we do n't complicate the operation of individual restaurants, said Ingram 's,! Addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically White Castles rise to cult status was nothing short of.. To cult status was nothing short of miraculous. on this article has avoided giving up control parte..., where were in all 50 States in grocery stores, where were in all major like! A sea of fast food competitors, White Castle is the country & # x27 ; version... About 190,000 fast-food eateries, according to restaurant industry sources a special brick mason from Texas tackle restoration!, click here burger cook Walter Anderson ( left ) and entrepreneur Billy Ingram to.! Beef in small, square patties. `` and other fixings were within... ` Edgar Waldo ( Billy ) Ingram, who co-founded the White continues., White Castle super-fan Martin Kessman knows all too well hamburger sandwich difficult in company-owned restaurants Waldo...

Michael Polsky Biography, How Much Is A Savings Bond Worth From 1999, Georgia Coaching Staff Football, Underground Wet Utility Contractors, Peter Votrian Net Worth, Articles B