Restaurants

White Castle Corporate Office

White Castle was founded in 1921 by E.W. Ingram and Walter Anderson in Wichita, Kansas.

In 1924, they incorporate the company as White Castle System of Eating Houses Corporation.

In the 1930s the company innovates many firsts in the fast food industry including newspaper coupons, using paper cartons for burgers and frozen hamburger patties.

In 1933, Anderson sells his stake in the company to Ingram.

In 1934, the company headquarters is relocated to Columbus, Ohio where it remains today.

In 1966, Ingram dies and his son, E.W. Ingram Jr is named President.

In 1977, E.W. (Bill) Ingram III takes over as President.

In 1979, the first drive thru restaurant opens in Indianapolis.

In 1986, the company expands outside the US with a franchise in Japan.

Today, there are over 350 White Castle locations mostly in the Midwest and Eastern US. The company no longer franchises and all locations are corporately owned.

White Castle

White Castle was founded in 1921 by E.W. Ingram and Walter Anderson in Wichita, Kansas.

In 1924, they incorporate the company as White Castle System of Eating Houses Corporation.

In the 1930s the company innovates many firsts in the fast food industry including newspaper coupons, using paper cartons for burgers and frozen hamburger patties.

History

In 1933, Anderson sells his stake in the company to Ingram.

In 1934, the company headquarters is relocated to Columbus, Ohio where it remains today.

In 1966, Ingram dies and his son, E.W. Ingram Jr is named President.

In 1977, E.W. (Bill) Ingram III takes over as President.

In 1979, the first drive thru restaurant opens in Indianapolis.

In 1986, the company expands outside the US with a franchise in Japan.

Today, there are over 350 White Castle locations mostly in the Midwest and Eastern US. The company no longer franchises and all locations are corporately owned.

Del Taco Corporate Office

Del Taco was founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson. The first restaurant was called Casa Del Taco and was located in Yermo, California.

In 1966, Dick Naugle joined the founders to create Red-E-Food Systems whose purpose was to franchise the Casa Del Taco system. Naugle would leave 5 years later to start his own Mexican fast-food chain.

In 1973, the company dropped “Casa” and became just Del Taco.

In 1976, the company is purchased by a group of investors.

By 1978, there are 100 Del Taco locations. By 1981, there were 350 stores.

In 1988, Del Taco merges with Naugles under the leadership of Anwar Soliman.

In 1990, the management team purchases the company from Soliman. Kevin K. Moriarty is named as CEO.

In 2006, the chain is purchased by Sagittarius Brands, LLC.

In 2008, the 500th restaurant opens in Burbank, California.

The company was acquired by Levi Acquisition and went public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TACO in late 2015.

Today, there are over 560 Del Taco restaurants in the US, with 310 corporate locations and 241 franchises.

The company introduced a vegan, meatless taco in early May 2019.

The corporate office is still located in Lake Forest, California.

Del Taco

Del Taco was founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson. The first restaurant was called Casa Del Taco and was located in Yermo, California.

History

In 1973, the company dropped “Casa” and became just Del Taco.

In 1976, the company is purchased by a group of investors.

By 1978, there are 100 Del Taco locations. By 1981, there were 350 stores.

In 1988, Del Taco merges with Naugles under the leadership of Anwar Soliman.

In 1990, the management team purchases the company from Soliman. Kevin K. Moriarty is named as CEO.

In 2006, the chain is purchased by Sagittarius Brands, LLC.

In 2008, the 500th restaurant opens in Burbank, California.

The company was acquired by Levi Acquisition and went public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TACO in late 2015.

Today, there are over 560 Del Taco restaurants in the US, with 310 corporate locations and 241 franchises.

The company introduced a vegan, meatless taco in early May 2019.

The corporate office is still located in Lake Forest, California.

Benihana Corporate Office

Benihana was founded in 1964 in New York City by Rocky H. Aoki. The first restaurant was on W 56th Street.

The chain struggled until received a rave review from the New York Herald in 1965.

In 1968, the first restaurant opened outside of New York, in Chicago.

In 1982, the Benihana National Corporation went public.

By 1997, there were 47 restaurants.

In 1999, the company acquired Haru Sushi.

In 2002, the company acquired RA Sushi.

In 2007, the 100th restaurant was opened.

In 2008, founder Rocky Aoki died.

In 2012, the chain was acquired by Angelo Gordon & Company and taken private.

Today, Benihana operates nearly 120 Japanese cuisine restaurants worldwide. The chain also operates both Haru and RA sushi restaurants.

Benihana

Benihana was founded in 1964 in New York City by Rocky H. Aoki. The first restaurant was on W 56th Street.

The chain struggled until received a rave review from the New York Herald in 1965.

In 1968, the first restaurant opened outside of New York, in Chicago.

History

In 1982, the Benihana National Corporation went public.

By 1997, there were 47 restaurants.

In 1999, the company acquired Haru Sushi.

In 2002, the company acquired RA Sushi.

In 2007, the 100th restaurant was opened.

In 2008, founder Rocky Aoki died.

In 2012, the chain was acquired by Angelo Gordon & Company and taken private.

Today, Benihana operates nearly 120 Japanese cuisine restaurants worldwide. The chain also operates both Haru and RA sushi restaurants.

Golden Corral Corporate Office

Golden Corral was founded in 1973 by James Maynard and Bill Carl after they failed multiple times to purchase franchises of other restaurants. The first Golden Corral restaurant was located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

By 1979, there were over 100 restaurants in the chain.

In 1982, the company acquires Sirloin Stockade, which adds almost 200 more locations.

In 1991, the company launches 7 Metro Market concept restaurants. These markets were double the size of a traditional Golden Corral.

In 1992, the company begins to franchise.

In 1993, the first restaurant outside the US opens in Mexico.

In 1997, the company signs a large franchise agreement with Frisch’s.

In 2003, a Georgia restaurant had to be closed due to a salmonella outbreak.

In 2012, a Wyoming Golden Corral had an outbreak of the norovirus. More than 344 people were sick, with 282 of these being primary cases. The virus got its push from 31 employees who were sick with the virus who worked despite knowing they were sick.

Today, there are nearly 500 Golden Corral restaurants in 41 US states and annual sales estimated to be $1.53 billion.

Golden Corral

By 1979, there were over 100 restaurants in the chain.

History

In 1982, the company acquires Sirloin Stockade, which adds almost 200 more locations.

In 1991, the company launches 7 Metro Market concept restaurants. These markets were double the size of a traditional Golden Corral.

In 1992, the company begins to franchise.

In 1993, the first restaurant outside the US opens in Mexico.

In 1997, the company signs a large franchise agreement with Frisch’s.

In 2003, a Georgia restaurant had to be closed due to a salmonella outbreak.

Today, there are nearly 500 Golden Corral restaurants in 41 US states and annual sales estimated to be $1.53 billion.

Jack in the Box Corporate Office

Jack in the Box began in 1941 as Topsy’s Drive-In. The restaurant were founded by Robert Peterson, a restaurant veteran. The restaurants were eventually renamed to Oscar’s.

In 1947, Peterson purchased rights to an intercom system from an Alaskan business.

In 1951, the first Jack in the Box location was opened in San Diego. It was the first restaurant with an intercom based drive-through system which allowed for faster service.

The concept was an instant success. By 1966, there were over 180 locations in California and the Southwest US.

In 1968, the company was purchased by Ralston Purina. The chain grew rapidly through franchising in the 1970s.

By 1980, the chain was struggling to compete with McDonalds and the marketing strategy was changed to target more affluent customers.

In 1985, Ralston Purina sold the company to its senior management team.

In 1987, the company went public.

Today, there are over 2200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly in the Western US. The company also owns the Qdoba Mexican chain.

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box began in 1941 as Topsy’s Drive-In. The restaurant were founded by Robert Peterson, a restaurant veteran. The restaurants were eventually renamed to Oscar’s.

In 1947, Peterson purchased rights to an intercom system from an Alaskan business.

In 1951, the first Jack in the Box location was opened in San Diego. It was the first restaurant with an intercom based drive-through system which allowed for faster service.

History

The concept was an instant success. By 1966, there were over 180 locations in California and the Southwest US.

In 1968, the company was purchased by Ralston Purina. The chain grew rapidly through franchising in the 1970s.

By 1980, the chain was struggling to compete with McDonalds and the marketing strategy was changed to target more affluent customers.

In 1985, Ralston Purina sold the company to its senior management team.

In 1987, the company went public.

Today, there are over 2200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly in the Western US. The company also owns the Qdoba Mexican chain.