Dive Brief:
- White Castle is testing the Cheddar Smoked Sausage Sliders and Pretzel Nibblers in select markets for a limited time, the company said in a Monday press release.
- The test will occur in Cincinnati; Louisville, Kentucky; and New Jersey, and customer response will help the fast food chain determine if the items will be added to the nationwide menu.
- White Castle added its first new core menu item in three years — the Crispy Chicken Slider — over the summer.
Dive Insight:
White Castle’s menu innovation will help the chain further expand its slider menu, which includes traditional beef sliders alongside a fish slider, chicken and waffles slider and Impossible slider. It could also help attract new customers who may not be craving a burger-based slider. The company has offered new slider items on seasonal menus, like the BBQ Pulled Pork Slider, which made its limited debut in September.
The Cheddar Smoked Sausage Slider includes a smoked sausage link, infused with cheddar cheese, topped with caramelized onions and served on a Slider bun. The Pretzel Nibblers are pretzel nuggets, fried golden brown, topped with kosher salt and served with cheese sauce.
White Castle has been working to bring its sliders to more customers through both non-traditional and traditional unit growth. This month, it opened its first branded airport kiosk in Boston Logan International Airport, with more to come later. The brand also plans to expand into Texas for the first time in 2026.
White Castle opened a new prototype in Ohio this year that includes a redesigned interior with higher ceilings, vibrant colors and an open layout. The new design also includes a mobile order pickup window to help speed up in-app orders, while keeping the front counter open for dine-in guests.
