White Castle Earns Great Place to Work Certification for the Sixth Straight Year
White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain and one of the nation’s most iconic family-owned restaurant brands, has once again been recognized as a workplace leader, earning the prestigious Great Place to Work Certification™ for the sixth consecutive year. The recognition highlights White Castle’s ongoing dedication to building a supportive, inclusive, and rewarding workplace culture—one that has remained central to the company’s identity since its founding more than a century ago.
The certification, awarded by Great Place To Work, is based entirely on direct feedback from employees about their workplace experiences. According to survey results collected from White Castle team members between April 15 and April 29, an impressive 84% of employees said White Castle is a great place to work—a figure that stands 27 percentage points above the average for U.S. companies, where only 57% of workers typically report the same level of satisfaction.
The employee survey also revealed another powerful indicator of White Castle’s people-first culture: 88% of team members said new employees are made to feel welcome when they join the organization. That sense of belonging, combined with strong leadership support and long-term career opportunities, continues to make White Castle a standout employer in the restaurant and foodservice industry.
A Legacy Built on People
Founded in 1921, White Castle has always emphasized the belief that employee happiness directly influences customer satisfaction. This philosophy began with founder Billy Ingram and has remained deeply embedded in the company’s culture through four generations of family leadership.
John Kelley, White Castle’s chief people officer and a fourth-generation family member, said the company’s workplace values have remained remarkably consistent over the years.
“When White Castle was founded 105 years ago, my great-grandfather believed that happy team members create happy customers,” Kelley said. “That philosophy has been carried forward through four generations of family leadership and continues to shape the way we lead today.”
He added that White Castle’s commitment to employee well-being influences every strategic and operational decision the company makes.
“Our commitment to team member experience and well-being remains at the heart of every decision we make,” Kelley said. “I’m incredibly proud that White Castle has been recognized as a Great Place To Work® for the sixth consecutive year, and that the promise my great-grandfather made more than a century ago still holds true today.”
Nearly 9,000 Employees Across Multiple Operations
White Castle employs nearly 9,000 team members across a broad operational network that includes 336 restaurants in 14 markets, multiple manufacturing facilities, regional offices, and its corporate headquarters in Columbus.
This expansive workforce supports not only White Castle’s famous restaurant operations but also its retail and food manufacturing divisions, enabling the company to maintain strong brand consistency while creating career opportunities in a variety of roles.
One of the clearest signs of White Castle’s employee loyalty is its exceptionally high retention rate—particularly among restaurant leaders. The company reports that the average general manager tenure across its 336 restaurants is 19 years, an extraordinary figure in an industry often known for high turnover.
Honoring Long-Term Commitment
White Castle has long recognized and rewarded employee loyalty. In fact, the company established its 25-Year Club in 1946 to celebrate team members who have dedicated at least 25 years of service to the organization.
That tradition continues today. In 2025 alone, 73 employees joined the prestigious club, and another 88 team members are expected to reach the milestone in 2026.
These numbers underscore White Castle’s ability to create not just jobs, but lasting careers.
Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Beyond competitive compensation and career growth opportunities, White Castle has also made diversity, inclusion, and belonging a key part of its workplace culture.
One example is its “Anywhere Opportunities” initiative, a monthly cultural celebration program designed to educate and engage employees around diverse traditions, histories, and communities. Each month, White Castle highlights a different cultural observance, sharing educational resources and meaningful ways employees can participate and honor the occasion.
With employees located across the country, the program helps foster connection and shared understanding among teams, creating a stronger sense of unity regardless of geography.
Supporting Employees During Difficult Times
White Castle’s commitment to its workforce extends well beyond the workplace.
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, then-CEO Bill Ingram launched the Ingram-White Castle Foundation Team Member Relief Program. The program was designed to provide financial support to employees facing personal hardship or crisis.
Since then, the initiative has become an important safety net for team members navigating unexpected challenges such as natural disasters, medical emergencies, or personal loss.
In 2025, the program distributed more than $35,000 in grants to employees in need—demonstrating White Castle’s belief that support should be tangible, not just symbolic.
Investing in Education and Career Growth
As a company that employs many students and young workers, White Castle understands the pressures of balancing work responsibilities with educational goals.
To help ease that burden, the company offers multiple educational assistance programs.
Its Ingram-White Castle Foundation Team Member Scholarship Program, available to both part-time and full-time employees, awarded 33 scholarships in 2025. The scholarships help team members pursue higher education while continuing their employment.
In addition, White Castle offers ASPIRE, a tuition reimbursement program that supports employees pursuing college degrees, certifications, or professional development opportunities. Open to eligible part-time and full-time workers, the program reflects the company’s broader commitment to helping employees achieve their personal and professional aspirations.
Whether team members are beginning their first job, earning a degree, or planning a long-term career path, White Castle aims to provide support at every stage.
A Culture That Drives Business Success
White Castle’s sixth straight Great Place to Work® certification is more than just an award—it reflects a deeply rooted workplace culture that continues to fuel employee satisfaction, loyalty, and business performance.
In today’s competitive labor market, organizations across industries are seeking ways to attract and retain top talent. White Castle’s success demonstrates that investing in employees—through inclusion, support, education, and meaningful recognition—can create lasting competitive advantage.
As the company moves into its next century, its focus remains unchanged: empowering employees, strengthening communities, and delivering the same values-driven leadership that has defined the brand since 1921.
For White Castle, the formula is simple—and timeless: when employees thrive, customers do too.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
