White Castle sliders cook on the grill during a media preview of the new Daytona Beach restaurant on Sept. 21. Photo by Rich Carroll
The new White Castle at 1944 LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach officially opens Sept. 22. It is the company’s fourth freestanding restaurant in Florida. Photo by Rich Carroll
A sign inside the new Daytona Beach White Castle highlights the company’s history as the “Home of the Original Slider,” established in 1921. Photo by Rich Carroll
A sampling of White Castle menu items, including its signature sliders, fries and chicken rings, is served during a media preview of the new Daytona Beach location on Sept. 21. Photo by Rich Carroll
White Castle Florida Regional Director Theresa Kaszubski prepares sliders during a media preview of the new Daytona Beach restaurant on Sept. 21. Photo by Rich Carroll
White Castle Daytona Beach Operating Manager Francis Nation welcomes guests during a media preview of the new restaurant on Sept. 21. Photo by Rich Carroll
White Castle Florida Regional Director Theresa Kaszubski prepares sliders during a media preview of the new Daytona Beach restaurant on Sept. 21. Photo by Rich Carroll
White Castle Chief Marketing Officer and “Craveologist” Jamie Richardson stands inside the company’s new Daytona Beach restaurant during a media preview on Sept. 21. Photo by Rich Carroll
For longtime White Castle fans who grew up eating sliders but moved away from the chain’s traditional markets, the wait is almost over.
White Castle will officially open its new Daytona Beach restaurant at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 1944 LPGA Boulevard, near Interstate 95. The restaurant is the company’s fourth freestanding location in Florida and is bringing about 60 jobs to the area.
The opening also brings a 105-year-old fast-food brand to a community where company officials say customers have been asking for a location.
“We’re so excited to be right here with our fourth freestanding White Castle,” Chief Marketing Officer Jamie Richardson said. “Daytona Beach was so welcoming, and when they reached out and said, ‘Would you like to come and visit?’ We said, ‘Absolutely, yes.’”
Richardson said White Castle’s connection with customers goes beyond its signature square sliders. For many customers, especially those who grew up with the chain before relocating to Florida, a trip to White Castle can bring back memories.
“As a 105-year-old family-owned business, we exist to create memorable moments every day,” Richardson said. “So there’s no more magnificent memorable moment than opening a new castle to serve those who’ve been aching, waiting, counting down for their cravings to be satisfied.”
Florida Regional Director Theresa Kaszubski said employees have already seen evidence of that anticipation while preparing the Daytona Beach restaurant.
“There have been a lot of Cravers pulling into this parking lot,” Kaszubski said. “They’re eagerly anticipating this location to be open.”
Kaszubski said the company hears stories from customers who remember visiting White Castle with their parents and grandparents and can now introduce another generation to the restaurant.
“It’s not just satisfying the crave, it is actually bringing back those memories,” she said. “We remember when the grandparents took us to a White Castle, and now they could take their children.”
White Castle traces its history to 1921 and describes itself as America’s first fast-food hamburger chain. Kaszubski has her own long history with the company, saying she has worked for White Castle for more than 45 years.
The Daytona Beach restaurant joins freestanding Florida locations in the Orlando area, Clermont and Kissimmee, according to Daytona Operating Manager Francis Nation.
Nation said Daytona Beach’s tourism industry and major events such as the Daytona 500 made the area attractive, but customer demand also played a role.
“We select the location because of our customers,” Nation said. “They talk to us, they tell us, ‘Hey, we want a White Castle here in Daytona.’ ... We listen to our customers, and that is why we’re here for Daytona.”
The restaurant will offer White Castle’s traditional beef sliders along with chicken rings, fish and chicken options and a breakfast menu. Kaszubski said the company has also brought its Southwest veggie slider back to the menu.
The new restaurant will initially operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., Richardson said. White Castle plans to gradually expand those hours over the next several weeks until the Daytona Beach restaurant is open 24 hours a day.
When that happens, Richardson said customers will see a nighttime twist outside the restaurant.
“When the sun goes down, that sign is going to turn from White Castle to Night Castle to make sure everybody knows we’re here for them 24/7,” Richardson said.
The company is also adding about 60 employees at the Daytona Beach location. Nation said the jobs are another way White Castle hopes to become part of the community.
Richardson said the company is looking forward to finally opening the doors.
“When that ribbon is cut and the door is open,” he said, “it’s unlike anything else.”
