A longtime fast-food burger chain is preparing to close one of its oldest restaurants. Its distinctive blue-and-white exterior and signature structure will soon be demolished, ending nearly nine decades of service to generations of customers.
The shutdown comes as restaurant operators across the U.S. continue to face elevated labor, food, occupancy, and financing costs while also reassessing their real estate portfolios and long-term growth strategies. For established chains, individual locations are increasingly being evaluated not only on sales performance but also on the value of the underlying property.
Known for its small, square burgers, better known as sliders, White Castle was founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. The company is widely recognized as the world’s first fast-food hamburger chain, and today operates more than 300 locations nationwide.
White Castle confirms closure of its 87-year-old restaurant
White Castle will permanently close its Elmhurst restaurant at 89-03 57th Ave in Queens, New York, on June 24, 2026, ending an 87-year run in the community…