• by Teresa Buyikian , January 9, 2024

Valentine’s Day can be filled with wine and roses—and a lot of stress.  From selecting the right gift for partners, to dressing to impress, to planning the perfect night out, the Hallmark holiday can induce anxiety in even the most chill of couples.

But one QSR has helped diners commemorate V-Day in its own less formal, less expensive way, in their own castle -- White Castle, that is.

White Castle recently announced the return of the “Love Castle” on Feb. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. Since 1991, the chain has held this one-of-a-kind event, which requires dine-in reservations more than a month in advance.

The Love Castle transforms White Castle dining rooms into “fine dining” establishments, where customers receive hostess seating, tableside service and festive V-Day décor. Every year for over three decades the chain hosts thousands of customers who crave the chain’s square sliders as their celebration of love meal.

“Love Castle certainly creates a lifetime of memories for couples, friends or individuals looking to treat themselves to a value-packed, special night out,” White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson told QSR Insider. “The annual Valentine’s Day tradition is also an opportunity for our team to connect even more with guests, and the appeal of the event grows stronger every year.”

On the enduring popularity of the “Love Castle,” Richardson noted, “It all revolves around creating memorable moments. We first opened our doors in 1921 with the idea families everywhere, no matter their income level, deserved an evening out at a restaurant to enjoy hot and tasty affordable food. From Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving stuffing, there’s tremendous value in fulfilling our vision – ‘to feed the souls of craver generations everywhere.’'"

This year dinners can order the “Love Clutch Collection” meal for two, which includes 10 Cheesy Sliders, 20 Chicken Rings and a sack of fries in a limited-edition box.

The brand is also known for its merchandise, and the Valentine’s Day swag is no exception. The 2024 Valentine’s collection, available at HouseofCrave.com, includes the Love Castle magenta robe featuring White Castle slider, heart and Cupid illustrations, Love Castle sunglasses and V-Day-themed T-shirts.

“Part of the appeal (of our merch) is our connection with Cravers,” Richardson told. “Sports fans wear their favorite teams’ apparel. Music fans may wear the shirt they purchased at their favorite band’s concert.

“As a family-owned business, White Castle is fortunate enough to have a passionate following who love to show off their love of all thing Sliders. So we make sure to offer merch that encourages customers to proclaim their love, whether it’s Night Castle, special collaborations with fellow celebrity Cravers, or holidays, including Valentine’s Day."