White Castle® Celebrates 25 Crave-Filled Years As Official Sponsor Of National Hamburger Month

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, America's first fast food hamburger chain, will pay homage throughout the month of May to a cultural institution, the hamburger, as the official sponsor of the 25^th annual National Hamburger Month. White Castle customers, affectionately known as Cravers, are encouraged to take advantage of Crave-worthy promotions all month long, including celebrating National Slider Day on May 15 and submitting their entries for the 16^th Cravers Hall of Fame class.

"The hamburger is an American classic, and as America's first hamburger chain, we feel like there is nothing like The Original Slider^®," said Jamie Richardson, vice president of White Castle. "We're excited to offer a number of ways to celebrate during National Hamburger month, from National Slider Day festivities and Cravers Hall of Fame entries, to a limited addition Coca-Cola glass, highlighting White Castle and Coca-Cola's 95-year partnership."

An ice-cold Coca-Cola was one of White Castle's four original menu items. To celebrate this longstanding partnership, during National Hamburger Month, customers can purchase a limited edition Coca-Cola glass, available for 95-cents with the purchase of a soft drink, or $1.95 without the purchase of a soft drink. The Coke glasses will be available in Castles during National Hamburger Month, while supplies last.

While National Hamburger Month is focused on celebrating the hamburger, White Castle is also turning its attention to its most avid Cravers, and will honor those whose stories best showcase their love and commitment to the Crave. Starting May 1, White Castle will begin accepting entries for its 16^th Cravers Hall of Fame class. Bonded by unique and compelling commitments to the Crave, Cravers are encouraged to submit original stories about their relationship with White Castle, and why White Castle is meaningful to them.

"Our Cravers' love of our product goes far beyond their weekly drive-thru rituals. The Crave is a powerful thing, and our goal is to honor those who have gone above and beyond to satisfy it," said Richardson.

The judges set criteria to evaluate each story based on the following: brand loyalty, creative presentation, originality and magnitude of the Crave. Previous winning entries have included tattoos, epic road trips, moving family traditions that have spanned generations, tributes to fallen friends, two movie stars, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and one rock legend.

Deadline for entering the 2016 contest is June 30, 2016. Entries are submitted online at whitecastle.com/CHOF, where rules and regulations are also posted.

For more information, visit www.whitecastle.com.

About White Castle^®
White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain based in Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating 95 years as a family-owned business. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921 serving The Original Slider^® which was named the most influential burger of all time in 2014 by Time. All White Castle Sliders are made from 100 percent USDA inspected beef. Today White Castle owns and operates nearly 400 restaurants in 13 states and has two dedicated Crave Mobiles that attended hundreds of events in 2015. White Castle's commitment to maintaining the highest quality products extends to the company owning and operating its own meat processing plants and bakeries as well as three frozen food processing plants. The retail division markets White Castle signature products in grocery, warehouse and convenience stores across the United States and in a growing number of international locations, including military PX's around the world.

WhiteCastle.com is a culture center for Cravers, the chain's loyal and passionate fan base, connecting like-minded Slider enthusiasts from around the globe in a social media setting. For more information on White Castle and to see the Craver Hall of Fame, visit whitecastle.com.

About National Hamburger Month
White Castle created National Hamburger Month 25 years ago to celebrate the creation of America's beloved dining delicacy, the hamburger. Founded in 1921, White Castle is America's first fast-food hamburger chain. White Castle expects Cravers to consume more than a half billion Sliders during the month of May.

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SOURCE White Castle