White Castle Unveils Its Castle of Tomorrow

White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain and home of The Original Slider^®, is proudly ushering in a new era of restaurant design with the debut of its “Castle of Tomorrow” in Columbus, Ohio. The prototype represents the next evolution of the brand’s 104-year commitment to innovation, hospitality and quality — a space where craveable tradition meets forward-thinking technology.

White Castle worked with central Ohio-based WD Partners to reimagine the customer experience and bring every detail to life in the prototype. The new Castle is located near downtown Columbus at a site that’s served generations of Cravers for 40 years. “The Castle of Tomorrow” is a stunning showcase of how the family-owned business continues to adapt to meet the needs of modern diners and team members alike.

“This new Castle reflects the best of who we are — passionate about innovation, hospitality and our people,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. “Every detail, from the kitchen layout to the mobile ordering experience, was thoughtfully designed to help our team members shine and to make every Craver’s visit more enjoyable and efficient. It’s the ‘Castle of tomorrow,’ built with the heart and soul that’s defined us for more than a century.”

Designed for Every Craver

Every inch of the “Castle of Tomorrow” has been designed with both Cravers and team members in mind. The restaurant features a bright and welcoming dining room with higher ceilings, vibrant colors and a sleek, open layout, a nod to the brand’s heritage while reflecting its contemporary energy.

A new dedicated mobile order pickup window provides a faster, smoother experience for guests who order ahead through the Craver Nation Rewards^® app, while keeping the front counter clear for walk-in customers. The double drive-thru now includes hospitality doors that allow team members to personally deliver meals to guests in their cars, part of White Castle’s continued commitment to efficiency and customer service.

Smarter Spaces for Team Members

Behind the counter, the new kitchen design emphasizes efficiency, comfort and ergonomics, creating a more inviting and functional environment for team members. Enhanced back-of-house layouts, streamlined prep zones and upgraded break spaces reflect White Castle’s dedication to being a certified Great Place to Work^®, a distinction the company has earned five consecutive years.

The restaurant also features the latest in restaurant technology, including the newest version of Flippy, the robotic fry station assistant, and Julia, White Castle’s AI-powered drive-thru ordering system named for beloved team member Julia Joyce. As always, a friendly human team member is ready to step in to assist whenever needed. Inside, easy-to-use self-service kiosks give guests another quick and convenient way to order.

Where Innovation Meets Crave Culture, Day and Night

While the “Castle of Tomorrow” is filled with modern features, it remains unmistakably White Castle, proudly local, family-owned and deeply connected to its Cravers. The exterior design balances familiarity and flair, with classic Castle architecture complemented by sleek new accents and lighting that give the building a fresh, contemporary feel.

At the top of it all shines a first-of-its-kind brand sign that reads “White Castle” by day and transforms to “Night Castle” after dark, a bold expression of the company’s renowned late-night identity and its mission to serve Cravers around the clock. Whether it’s an early-morning breakfast Slider, a midday Crave Case or a midnight Chicken Ring run, the “Castle of Tomorrow” is built to serve every craving, every hour of the day.

Beyond its striking design, this prototype Castle reinforces White Castle’s leadership as one of America’s most innovative and people-centered restaurant brands. From introducing restaurant robotics and AI-assisted ordering to reimagining team spaces and guest interactions, White Castle continues to pioneer change in ways that make dining more personal, efficient and fun.

“‘The Castle of Tomorrow’ celebrates both where we’ve been and where we’re going,” Richardson said. “It’s a place that honors our century-old promise to bring people together over hot, tasty Sliders while introducing new technologies and experiences that keep White Castle as relevant and craveable as ever.”