White Castle Celebrates 100 Years With Designer Uniforms—and Fans Can Get In on the Action

In honor of its centennial, quick-service restaurant White Castle is updating its uniforms—and it hasn't forgotten its devoted fan base, known as Cravers. The new uniform was created by Telfar Clemens, founder of the Telfar fashion label. It includes a T-shirt, polo shirt, apron, visor and durag in light blue, royal blue or black. Each piece for the 10,000-strong team features the brand name, as well as a reference to White Castle’s 100th anniversary, such as, “Celebrating 100 and counting.” According to a company statement, the durag was added in response to “many White Castle team members who requested it.” White Castle noted it's the first time the QSR has offered the hair accessory—and it could be the first time any restaurant has done so. "We wanted something special for our 100th birthday that captures the authentic spirit of White Castle," said Jamie Richardson, vice president of marketing and public relations at White Castle. "Telfar has taken our uniform to a new place, creating something that's distinctive, attractive and comfortable and something our team members will feel great in." Clemens has also designed a limited-edition clothing collection for fans, including hats, hoodies, T-shirts and durags, which run from about $40 to $95. Proceeds benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Liberty and Justice Fund, which provides bail to minors. White Castle also offers branded goods through its House of Crave online store, ranging from clothing to accessories like face masks, candles and even a gravy boat, which is of course called a cravey boat. In recent years, a number of fast-casual chains have experimented with branded clothing lines. Pizza Hut may have pioneered the trend in 2016, but it was quickly followed by KFC, which also produced a Colonel Sanders pillowcase. But perhaps most notable is Popeyes, which released its own athleisure collection after fans noticed a 2020 Ivy Park drop bore something of a resemblance to Popeyes’ uniforms. It, like Beyoncé’s Ivy Park collection, quickly sold out. Proceeds benefited the Popeyes Foundation, which provides “food and support in times of need.” The new White Castle uniforms are the QSR’s latest collaboration with Clemens, who first designed White Castle uniforms in 2017. White Castle’s relationship with Clemens dates back to 2015 when the designer asked the QSR to sponsor his fashion show—and White Castle also hosted the after-party. "White Castle supported us before our success and we consider them family," said Babak Radboy, creative director of Telfar, in a statement. "It's still the only thing open after midnight in Telfar’s hood—seeing our uniforms there means something to us and so we take it personally." Based in Columbus, Ohio, White Castle started serving sliders in 1921. It now operates more than 360 restaurants.