White Castle, Sarasota company to deploy 1K burger kiosks across US

A Sarasota company specializing in retail technology has partnered with burger chain White Castle to deploy 1,000 “Crave & Go” kiosks nationwide. Automated Retail Technologies will provide the self-service machines, which will deliver hot, ready-to-eat meals without the need for on-site staff. 

The White Castle kiosks will be placed in a range of commercial and industrial environments as part of the Ohio-based burger brand’s plan to grow its reach beyond grocery stores and restaurants.

“We’re proud to partner with an American icon like White Castle,” David Chessler, founder of Automated Retail Technologies, says in a statement. “Together, we’re making it easier for consumers to access authentic White Castle favorites in locations where traditional restaurants may not be available.”

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White Castle was founded in 1921 and currently operates about 340 restaurants. It also sells frozen products in grocery stores.

Already, White Castle Crave & Go kiosks have been installed at several sites, including Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers and Logan International Airport in Boston. The early installations have generated “strong consumer engagement and highly positive feedback,” according to a statement, which says expansion will accelerate through 2026.

“This partnership provides a fun new way for consumers to experience White Castle,” White Castle Chief Marketing Officer Jamie Richardson says in a statement. “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.”

Automated Retail Technologies has more than 850 of its robotic food-service kiosks deployed around the country, through partnerships with providers like Sodexo, Compass and Aramark. It targets high-traffic environments such as colleges, health care systems, corporate campuses and transportation hubs, according to a statement.

Each kiosk costs about $20,000, according to Troy Hutchinson, director of marketing operations for Automated Retail Technologies. The institution or operator then pays about a $200 monthly fee for licensing and software, he says.

Moving forward, White Castle and Automated Retail Technologies say they will test menu expansion and product innovation. While the initial menu includes a variety of White Castle sliders and no specific plans have been identified, Hutchinson says, the lineup could be widened to add things like dessert or breakfast items.