White Castle Joins Autism Speaks to "Light It Up Blue"

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, America's favorite family-owned hamburger chain for 96 years, announced today the launch of its monthlong fundraiser for Autism Speaks as part of its philanthropic Castle Shares initative. This is the ninth year White Castle has partnered with the nation's largest organization benefiting autism research and advocacy.

Throughout the month of April, which is designated as World Autism Month, White Castle will collect donations on behalf of Autism Speaks through the sales of $1, $3 and $5 puzzle pieces. Each purchase of an Autism Speaks puzzle piece comes with a coupon for one free Chicken Ring Slider for customers to use on a future visit.

"We are beyond proud to join our friends at Autism Speaks to raise awareness and much needed donations during World Autism Month," said Erin Shannon, Corporate Relations Manager at White Castle and member of the fourth generation of White Castle leadership. "Our commitment to supporting families who have been impacted by autism is a part of our company because it is a part of our lives. Our family, and the families of many of our team members, have experienced the effects of Autism."

In addition to the sale of Puzzle Pieces in White Castle restaurants, customers can support the cause by ordering Crave Cases online or through the mobile app. For every Crave Case ordered online or through the mobile app, $3 of the proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks.

Cravers across the country purchasing White Castle retail products in grocery, club stores and convenience stores can help "Light It Up Blue" on social media as well. Each package of microwaveable sandwiches includes a special insert with a graphic image of a light bulb which can be colored blue and posted to social media with the hashtag #WC4Autism. White Castle will donate $5 to Autism Speaks for each post shared online, up to a maximum of $75,000.

Autism Speaks® and White Castle® have partnered together to "Light It Up Blue" for 9 years, raising over $5.8 million. Last year, White Castle Cravers and team members raised more than $850,000 for Autism Speaks by selling Puzzle Pieces throughout the five week campaign. This year the family-owned business is aiming high and hoping to surpass over $900,000 in contributions.

About White Castle®

White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain based in Columbus, Ohio, has been making Bold Moves™ as a family-owned business for more than 95 years. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, serving The Original Slider®, made from 100 percent USDA inspected beef. Today White Castle owns and operates nearly 400 restaurants in 13 states. The pioneering original slider, Time Magazine's most influential burger of all time, is served alongside a menu of creatively crafted sliders and other tasty food options. White Castle's commitment to maintaining the highest quality products extends to the company owning and operating its own meat processing plants and bakeries as well as three frozen food processing plants. The retail division markets White Castle's famous fare in grocery, club stores, convenience stores, vending operations and concessions across the United States and in a growing number of international locations, including military base exchanges around the world.