Food & Beverage

White Castle to break ground on $27M retail plant expansion

White Castle's retail products are available in groceries nationwide. (Photo: Provided/file)

July 12, 2021

White Castle said is retail slider sales are soaring so it is growing its manufacturing capabilities for those products by undertaking a $27 million "major expansion" of its manufacturing plant in Vandalia, Ohio, near Dayton. The privately owned, Columbus, Ohio-based QSR will break ground on the expanded facility Tuesday, a news release said.

Aside from creating 75 jobs, the project will double the size of the facility — constructed in 2013 — to $150,000 square feet, increasing the total number employed there to 160 people once all lines are up and running.

The 11 a.m. ceremony this week will include White Castle President and CEO Lisa Ingram and former President and CEO Bill Ingram, as well as Vandalia city officials, and representatives from JobsOhio and the Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority, as well as White Castle's town crier.

Under the leadership of third-generation White Castle family member, Bill Ingram, White Castle launched its retail division in 1987, becoming the first fast-food restaurant to offer its menu items for sale in grocery stores. The retail division has grown steadily over the years and now represents about 25% of the company's revenue. The company said the plant expansion, on Capstone Way near the Dayton International Airport, is necessary to keep up with the growing demand for White Castle's retail products.

White Castle now has more than 350 restaurants in its system after more than 100 years in operation.