Marketing

White Castle to put 2020 Hall of Famers' stories on 2021 packaging

The 2019 White Castle Hall of Fame class. (Photo: Provided)

August 4, 2020

The annual search for White Castle's Cravers Hall of Famers comes with the promise of extra notoriety in 2021. The Columbus-Ohio chain, which has opened nominations on its website to find its most loyal fans — AKA the 2020 Hall of Fame — said it would include the 2020 honorees' stories on its packaging next year when it turns 100. Fans will also receive an all-expense-paid trip to Columbus, where White Castle will wine and dine them and formally induct them into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The in-person celebration, however, will depend on the status of the pandemic, according to a company press release.

"We're about to enter our 100th year as a family-owned business because of the support of our passionate cravers," Jamie Richardson, vice president with White Castle, said in the news release. "We wanted to do something extra special for those inducted into the Cravers Hall of Fame this year. Featuring our Hall of Famers on our packaging is the perfect way to celebrate their devotion and to share their extraordinary stories far and wide."

The brand for the first time this year will also award a special collectible to the 100 entries that best exemplify why White Castle is meaningful to them. All entries are judged on brand loyalty, creative presentation, originality and magnitude of the "crave." Candidates have until Sept. 30 to apply for the Hall of Fame via the brand's website..

White Castle created the Cravers Hall of Fame in 2001 to recognize White Castle's most dedicated fans. A total of 228 people have been inducted into White Castle's Craver Hall of Fame, including rock 'n' roll icon Alice Cooper, comic pioneer Stan Lee, award-winning fashion designer Telfar Clemens, and the stars of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Kal Penn and John Cho.

White Castle has more than 360 restaurants and distributes grocery products nationally.