White Castle, one of America’s most recognizable fast-food chains, was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921 by Walter (Walt) A. Anderson and Edgar Waldo “Billy” Ingram. At the time, the hamburger faced a serious image problem. Many Americans were hesitant to eat ground beef following the publication of Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel The Jungle, which exposed the unsanitary conditions of the meatpacking industry. To most diners, hamburgers seemed risky and untrustworthy—solid cuts of steak were considered the safer choice.
Walt Anderson, a former janitor and short-order cook, was determined to change that perception. Passionate about perfecting the hamburger, he opened a small stand in Wichita that sold nothing else. Anderson cooked his burgers in full view of customers, letting them see the clean equipment and fresh meat being used. This transparency reassured patrons and helped rebuild trust in the humble hamburger. His insistence on quality, cleanliness, and consistency became the foundation of White Castle’s enduring success.
In 1921, Anderson joined forces with Billy Ingram, a savvy real estate and business entrepreneur who shared his vision. With only $700 in capital, they opened a restaurant designed to resemble a miniature white fortress—symbolizing purity, stability, and cleanliness. They named it White Castle, a name that would soon become synonymous with affordable, trustworthy food. The restaurant sold small, square hamburgers for five cents each, cooked with onions and served on soft buns. These “Sliders,” as they came to be known, were easy to eat and sold by the sack, encouraging customers to buy them in multiples.
White Castle’s efficiency and consistent quality distinguished it from other eateries. The company implemented an assembly-line system that ensured every burger tasted the same, no matter the location. Even during the Great Depression, when many businesses struggled, White Castle thrived. By 1933, its headquarters moved to Columbus, Ohio, marking its evolution into a national chain. By 1937, the company had nearly doubled its sales from 1930—a testament to its loyal customer base and innovative business model.
Today, more than a century later, White Castle remains a pioneer in the fast-food industry. Its dedication to transparency, hygiene, and quality helped transform the hamburger from a questionable novelty into a beloved American staple. The tiny Slider not only fueled White Castle’s success but also laid the groundwork for the modern fast-food revolution that reshaped how America eats.White Castle and the Rise of the American Hamburger
