White Castle, the iconic fast-food chain known for its Slider hamburgers, celebrated the grand opening of its new restaurant in Tempe, Ariz., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by a Tempe-area couple who met at a White Castle 72 years ago.
The new White Castle is the second location in Arizona. The first opened in October 2019 in Scottsdale.
“We are thrilled to open our doors in Tempe and bring our delicious Sliders to the community,” said Lisa Ingram, president and CEO of White Castle. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from Arizona residents, and we’re excited to continue serving our craveable food to new and returning customers.”
The Tempe Castle, located at 8735 South Jewel St., sports a modern design with a focus on convenience and customer comfort. The indoor dining room can seat up to 50, while the inviting outdoor covered patio can accommodate 40 guests. The restaurant also features Julia, White Castle’s AI-powered drive-thru assistant. Julia greets customers in the drive-thru and helps with ordering, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience.
Tuesday’s grand-opening festivities kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the restaurant with White Castle team members and representatives of the fourth generation of family ownership. Jamie West and Drew Schmitt, who were married in the Scottsdale White Castle in May, passed the golden scissors to lifelong White Castle fans Charles and Georgia Hutchison, who had the honor of cutting the ribbon to the new restaurant. The couple, both in their 90s, met at a Chicago White Castle in early 1951 and married just a few months later on July 4.
“We are honored to have Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison join us for this special occasion,” said Ingram. “They are a true testament to the enduring love and memories that White Castle has created for thousands of people and generations of families.”
The ceremony was the start of a day filled with excitement and celebration. Customers lined up to enjoy White Castle’s iconic Sliders and other menu items, while the restaurant team welcomed everyone with warm smiles and friendly service.
