COLUMBIA — One of the nation’s oldest fast-food chains has partnered with a vending machine company to bring its century-old burgers nationwide, including over 40 locations in South Carolina.
White Castle announced an exclusive alliance with Automated Retail Technology (ART) last April to expand access to their iconic sliders through “Crave & Go” hot-food kiosks.
In 1987, White Castle became the first fast-food brand to sell its menu items nationwide in grocery stores. Jamie Richardson, White Castle chief marketing officer, said in a press release that bringing their food to accessible vending machines is another significant step for the brand.
“This partnership provides a fun new way for consumers to experience White Castle,” he said. “Automated retail allows us to meet consumers when cravings strike — on campuses, in hospitals and at workplaces — while delivering the hot and tasty quality that has defined our brand for more than 100 years.”
Where are the machines?
The partnership introduces 1,000 White Castle machines, with 46 opening in South Carolina. Columbia has the most of any SC city, with 11 installed locations. Locations include the University of South Carolina School of Journalism, the Columbia College Student Union, the University of South Carolina Capstone Building and eight Murphy USA gas stations.
28 of the 46 openings in South Carolina are at Murphy USA. Scott Woodward, Murphy USA senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, said in a press release that the opportunity benefits customers by providing accessible hot food and also benefits the company as it experiments with autonomous food service.
“This relationship allows us to introduce a new convenience offering informed by customer insights, while maintaining the operational discipline and focus on everyday value,” he said. “We’re encouraged by the opportunity to drive incremental inside sales, traffic and basket growth.”
For South Carolinians, the closest access to proper White Castle restaurants is Florida or Tennessee. David Chessler, founder of ART, said in a press release that the partnership is an ideal channel to extend White Castle’s reach beyond traditional restaurants and frozen food aisles.
“We’re proud to partner with an American icon like White Castle,” he said. “Together, we’re making it easier for consumers to access authentic White Castle favorites in locations where traditional restaurants may not be available.”
The product
The vending machines carry traditional White Castle slider variants in boxes of four, packaged like those found in grocery stores. The difference? These come out hot and ready to eat in approximately two minutes. Items available from the White Castle Crave & Go kiosk include:
Original Sliders — $5.59
Classic Cheese Sliders — $5.79
Jalapeño Cheese Sliders — $5.99
Cheddar Bacon Cheese Sliders — $6.19
Chicken Sliders — $7.79
Chicken & Cheese Sliders — $7.99
Double Cheese Sliders — $8.49
Those prices and available menu items were found at the Murphy USA at 711 Bluff Road in Columbia.
White Castle “Crave & Go” kiosk locations in SC
A list of locations where South Carolinians can find White Castle’s new “Crave & Go” kiosks.
Location
City
Status
Murphy USA #8672
Anderson
Coming Soon
Beaufort Memorial Admin Complex
Beaufort
installed
Murphy USA #8643 White Castle
Cayce
installed
MUSC Health University Medical Center – Retail Cafe 1st Floor
Charleston
installed
Columbia College – Student Union
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8950 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8943 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8935 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8924 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8902 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8592 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8537 White Castle
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #7900 White Castle
Columbia
installed
University of South Carolina School of Journalism
Columbia
installed
Univ of South Carolina Capstone Building – Vending Room
Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8573
Conway
Coming Soon
Murphy USA #7932
Florence
Coming Soon
Murphy USA #8663
Garden City
Coming Soon
BMW Training Center – Micro Market
Greer
installed
Murphy USA #8873 White Castle
Hopkins
installed
Murphy USA #8790 White Castle
Irmo
installed
Boeing PSC – Micro Market
Ladson
installed
Boeing IRC – Micro Market
Ladson
installed
Murphy USA #8905 White Castle
Lexington
installed
Murphy USA #8903 White Castle
Lexington
installed
Murphy USA #8895 White Castle
Lexington
installed
Murphy USA #8684 White Castle
Lexington
installed
Murphy USA #8611 White Castle
Lexington
installed
Mcleod Seacoast 1st Floor Employee Entrance
Little River
installed
Murphy USA #8892
Myrtle Beach
Coming Soon
Charleston Airport-Terminal B-Wow Bao
North Charleston
installed
Boeing 8819 White Castle
North Charleston
installed
Charleston Airport-Terminal B-Evolv Sweets
North Charleston
installed
Charleston Airport-Baggage Claim-Evolv Cafe
North Charleston
installed
Charleston Airport-Baggage Claim-White Castle
North Charleston
installed
Boeing 88-19 Avondale – Vending Area
North Charleston
installed
MUSC Health Orangeburg – Cafeteria
Orangeburg
installed
Murphy USA #8589
Rock Hill
Coming Soon
Murphy USA #7901
Spartanburg
Coming Soon
Murphy USA #7374
Spartanburg
Coming Soon
Murphy USA #6510
Spartanburg
Coming Soon
South Carolina Univ Upstate – George Johnson Bldg
Spartanburg
installed
South Carolina Univ Upstate – HEC
Spartanburg
installed
Murphy USA #8632
Surfside Beach
Coming Soon
Murphy USA #8982 White Castle
West Columbia
installed
Murphy USA #8912 White Castle
West Columbia
installed
Dining and Cooking