White Castle wooing financially strapped customers with eye-popping menu prices
White Castle slashed the price of its famed sliders to the lowest level in more than a decade, becoming the latest fast food chain to offer a discount in a bid to entice financially strapped customers.
The family-owned chain, which has 335 stores including 30 in New York, rolled out a $7.99 promotion for 10 cheese sliders, which haven’t been that cheap since 2011, the Columbus, Ohio-based company said in a statement.
White Castle has suffered softer sales this year compared to a year ago as inflation continues to hammer US households, said Jamie Richardson, vice president of White Castle.
“Customers are making leftovers last longer as food prices have gone up,” he told The Post on Tuesday.
The company launched a series of promotions this year to lure customers. In May, it introduced 12 chicken rings for $3.99 that is slated to run through August. Typically the chain offers a six-piece package for just over $3.
But the 10 cheese sliders for $7.99 – or $8.99 in New York and New Jersey – is the deepest discount White Castle has dangled since prices shot up during and after the pandemic, Richardson said.
“We are known for value,” Richardson said. “We are leaning into it more now.”
The move comes as bigger rivals offer hungry diners some cheaper options.
In June, McDonald’s and Burger King introduced $5 value meals while Taco Bell unveiled a $7 deal – Luxe Cravings Box – for a five-layer beef burrito, chips and a drink, representing a 55% discount.
Last week, McDonald’s reported its first drop in sales since 2020 when it released its latest quarterly results for the period ended June 30.
