White Castle® Launches Autism Speaks Fundraiser This April To Raise Awareness

Customers can donate through the purchase of Puzzle Pieces and new Light It Up Blue Spritzer with Sprite®

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Apr 04, 2016, 09:50 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, America's favorite family-owned hamburger chain for 95 years, announced today the launch of its month-long fundraiser for Autism Speaks as part of its philanthropic Castle Shares initative. This is the seventh 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 National Autism Awareness Month, White Castle will collect donations on behalf of Autism Speaks through the sales of $1, $5 and $10 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. In addition to the Puzzle Pieces, White Castle is proud to introduce a new bubbly drink on its menu, the Light It Up Blue Spritzer with Sprite^®. The Spritzer is a refreshing blend of Sprite and citrus-flavored blue curacao syrup. For every Sprtizer purchase, White Castle will donate $1 directly to Autism Speaks.

"Our commitment to Autism Speaks and 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," said Erin Shannon, corporate relations manager at White Castle and member of the fourth generation of White Castle leadership. "At White Castle, we reach out to our Craver communities for support, and hope to reach our $1 million goal for Autism Speaks during National Autism Awareness Month."

White Castle has also launched a special-edition Crave Case design that pays tribute to Autism Speaks, and individuals and families affected by Autism. For each Crave Case ordered online or through the mobile app during the month of April, White Castle will donate $5 to Autism Speaks.

Last year, White Castle Cravers and team members raised more than $900,000 for Autism Speaks by selling Puzzle Pieces for five weeks, setting a campaign record for the sixth straight year. This year, the family-owned business is striving to reach $1 million. White Castle has donated over $5 million to Autism Speaks over the years.

For more information, visit www.whitecastle.com.

About White Castle^®

White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain based in Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating 95 years as a family-owned business. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921 serving The Original Slider® which was named the most influential burger of all time in 2014 by Time. All White Castle Sliders are made from 100 percent USDA inspected beef. Today White Castle owns and operates nearly 400 restaurants in 13 states and has two dedicated Crave Mobiles that attended hundreds of events in 2015. 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 signature products in grocery, warehouse and convenience stores across the United States and in a growing number of international locations, including military PX's around the world.

WhiteCastle.com is a culture center for Cravers, the chains loyal and passionate fan base, connecting like-minded Slider enthusiasts from around the globe in a social media setting. For more information on White Castle and to see the Craver Hall of Fame, visit whitecastle.com.

About Castle Shares

By feeding hunger, hope and dreams, the White Castle family helps build strong, thriving, Craver communities through the Castle Shares program. Founder Billy Ingram believed in taking care of people and giving back to the community. His philosophy still remains a focus of the family-owned business after 95 years. White Castle donates over $2 million every year to a variety of charities across the nation. In 2015, White Castle raised a record $940,000 through its Autism Puzzle Piece campaign, which was donated to Autism Speaks. The White Castle family supports more than 50 charities each year with volunteers, money and food donations.

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SOURCE White Castle