Can You Open a White Castle Franchise?

White Castle is an American fast-food chain known for its iconic small, square hamburgers called “Sliders.” Founded in 1921 by Walter A. Anderson and Billy Ingram in Wichita, Kansas, White Castle is recognized as the world’s first fast-food hamburger chain.

To create a sense of cleanliness and quality, the restaurants were designed as small white buildings, and the staff wore spotless uniforms. The company headquarters moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1936, where it remains today.

White Castle is a privately held, family-owned company, and unlike many of its fast-food competitors, it has historically chosen not to franchise its stores, which is why all its restaurants are company-owned.

While its restaurant reach is limited, White Castle has expanded its product availability by selling frozen sliders in supermarkets nationwide.

Initial Investment

How much does it cost to start a White Castle franchise? White Castle does not offer franchise opportunities currently, as all of its locations are company-owned.

Therefore, it is not possible to start a White Castle franchise franchise, and there is no associated cost for franchising with the company.

For similar burger franchises, however, the initial investment is on average $1,456,000.

Here are a few comparable burger franchises with their initial investment requirements. For example, starting a McDonald’s franchised restaurant, in comparison, would cost you anywhere from $521,000 to $2,503,000.

Average Revenue (AUV)

How much revenue can you make with a White Castle franchise? Since White Castle currently does not franchise its stores and all locations are company-owned, it does not publish a Franchise Disclosure Document. Therefore, White Castle does not disclose the average revenue of its stores.

However, a similar burger franchise makes on average $1,548,000 in revenue (AUV) per year. For example, a Burger King franchised restaurant makes on average $1,526,000 in revenue per year.

Below are 10 competitors and their average yearly revenue as a comparison:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does White Castle franchise?

No. White Castle is a privately held, family-owned company that has historically chosen not to franchise its stores — all White Castle locations are company-owned. There is no franchise fee, investment range, or FDD to review because the franchise model does not exist for this brand.

Want White Castle-Level Recognition? These Franchises Are Actually Available

White Castle isn’t an option — but the good news is several iconic burger franchise brands offer comparable income potential and are actively accepting qualified buyers right now. Wendy’s, Five Guys, and Wingstop all deliver similar category performance, with real investment ranges, SBA financing eligibility, and territories currently open.

Who owns White Castle?

White Castle is a family-owned company, and it is privately held by the Ingram family. It was co-founded by Billy Ingram, and today, the company remains under the leadership and ownership of his descendants.

SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: June 2026

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