White Castle CEO optimistic despite COVID, labor shortages

White Castle CEO Lisa Ingram on economic trends in the food industry and celebrating her company’s 100th anniversary.

Time to make new plans for Valentine’s Day.

The pandemic and its fallout has hit the food service industry hard. With Valentine’s Day coming up (a big night for eating out), many are wondering what it’s going to look like this year.

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White Castle will not be taking reservations or offering its usual Valentine’s Day dining room experience this year out of an abundance of caution for health and safety. (iStock)

For White Castle fans, it’s going to look a little different.

In a press release, the fast-food chain announced that it will not be hosting its in-restaurant dining experience this year. Since 1991, White Castle has transformed its dining rooms into a "fine dining establishment" that includes table-side service.

The romantic-themed dinners were referred to as the "In-Castle Valentine’s Day dinner."

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In previous years, White Castle has offered guests a unique “fine-dining” experience on Valentine’s Day, which includes table-side service and hostess seating. (iStock)

Vice president of White Castle Jamie Richardson said, "We had hoped to take reservations this year, but out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our customers and team members, we decided the best thing to do is shift our focus to an experience that customers can take with them."

Fortunately, the VP had good news about the future.

"Next year," he said, "we have every intention of bringing back the in-Castle dining for the biggest Valentine's Day yet!"

This year, White Castle will be selling the Love Cube, a dinner for two that will only be available on Valentine’s Day. (White Castle)

Instead, this year the fast-food chain will be offering a meal for two that can be taken to go. The Love Cube contains eight Cheese Sliders, two small drinks and a choice of two sides.

The Love Cube will only be available on February 14.

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"Valentine's Day dinner at White Castle has been an important tradition for so many of our customers," Richardson said. "Year in and out, we're thrilled to be able to bring the experience to life in new and memorable ways."

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