cover of episode 99 Percent Invisible: The White Castle System of Eating Houses

99 Percent Invisible: The White Castle System of Eating Houses

2024/9/16
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This chapter explores the origins of White Castle and its claim as the first fast-food restaurant chain. It discusses the rise of burger-centric fast food in America and White Castle's role as a prototype for this industry.
  • White Castle predates other major fast-food chains like McDonald's and Burger King.
  • The chain's founders aimed to create a consistent and reliable dining experience across all locations.

Shownotes Transcript

Today we have a guest episode from 99 Percent Invisible).It is about White Castle, the burger chain. Even if you haven't visited, you have tasted its influence because, as we will learn in this episode, White Castle is really the proto-burger chain.Our friends at the excellent podcast 99 Percent Invisible bring us the origin story of White Castle and trace its influence on the business of fast food, and on American eating habits. The story is about one man who had an idea for a world where you could get a slider anywhere in the country and get the same tasty, onion-y quality each time. Think of this as a forebear of the modern global economy of sameness.*This episode is hosted by Roman Mars and reported by Mackenzie Martin. It was produced by Jeyca Maldonado-Medina, and edited by Joe Rosenberg. Mix and sound design by Martín Gonzalez. Music by Swan Real with additional music by Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Neufeld. Fact-checking by Graham Hacia. Kathy Tu is 99 Percent Invisible's executive producer. Kurt Kohlstedt is their digital director, and Delaney Hall is their senior editor.*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)