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Hey guys, are any of you selling White Castle burgers? If so how are they doing and what's the customer's response?

howdy - I saw them recently at Brenden Theaters, Concord CA; when I went to the the recent "Pirates"... gives me a good excuse to go back to see another film... i'll let ya know!

Theatres are not cooking them correctly and overcharging. If they can cook them rite and price them fairly they may have a good thing going!

jacker5 wrote:
This pretty much hits the nail on the head. Theatres need a lot of volume to keep White Castle burgers fresh and the theatre needs a staff to pay attention to them. At the theatre conventions White Castle serves these out of warming/steam tables (like a hot dog bun steamer.) They are very good. The burgers can be microwaved but the results are not quite as good.
Improperly warming them or failing to rotate stock is the bigget problem. The product freezer burns easily and like most frozen bread the buns can break apart if not handled with care.
AllenD

So, How do these come? The only way I have seen them, are burger patty/bun packed together and they are microwaved. But, by the sound of some comments, are the patties available bulk, and you steam them, and buns are separated too?

The burgers come fully assembled and complete, two burgers (plain or with cheese) per cellophane bag. The bag of two can be steamed or microwaved.
I don't remember how many bags of two are packed per case, but any good concession supply company will have that information or call White Castle. They have regular ads in Box Office and Film Journal.
I know of several operators who have purchased the frozen product from local supermarkets to "control costs" but I don't think that is a good buy for the operator or the theatre customer.
Certainly buying a few packages at retail can help a theatre operator decide if they can use the product.
AllenD

As suggested by AllenD, White Castle burgers are the one concession item you can buy at retail to try out. Good call. See the customer response, see how well the product holds up, and see how they can be presented. If the test works, order them in bulk through your supplier.

I think most veteran theatre operators would agree that in hardtop theatres, the basics of corn, soda, candy and nachos (maybe hot dogs) are the core of any good snack bar. Unless you have tremendous volume, everything else will add little to the bottom line and the additional costs, time and equipment will drain away profits.

Plus, the bigger the menu, the longer the customer will take in line slowing down the whole process.

CGM

yes, steaming is the only way to cook these IMHO. We have tried in that way and they are good. BUT....the theater White Castle rep will steer you to Sam's of Costco unless you are buying large quantities. IMHO, the cost-sale price does not work.

Hello - I finally went back to the Brenden theater this afternoon. I went to try the WhiteCastle Burgers which they had for $4 (2 in a cello as mentioned); it looked like they microwaved them, but the bread was fine, not tuff like usual microwaved bread. (& I had a frozen lemonade, too another $3). I'd say depending on the weather (if it was winter and colder) or time of day ( went before getting eating lunch or dinner), they'd suffice; not quite as much filling (meat/cheese/grilled onions?) as I'd like, but the flavor's fine for me, anyway.

The last time I was there I had their "Kids Special" , also in a small 'shoebox type lid container, with soda, popcorn and a bag of M&M's for about $4; I actually like this more - it saves me time just to order a 'combo', and it'seasy to hold in my lap, & of course seats have 'drink holders'.. (where are those theaters with swingdown arm tables? I know of one in Palo Alto, wonder if it's still there).
aloha!

We sell char-broiled quarter pounders severed on a kaiser roll for 2.49.

Add some cheese and onions and I am with you Crazybob!!

We sell White Castle burgers cooked in a special oven and they are our biggest seller...right up there with popcorn!

I think adding cheese and onions is a great idea.



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