White Castle Transforms Restaurants for Valentine's Day Themed Dinners

The fast-food chain has been offering intimate, affordable Valentine's Day meals for 35 years.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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White Castle has been hosting Valentine's Day dinner events at its restaurants for 35 years, transforming the fast-food locations into intimate dining experiences with candles, tablecloths, and attentive wait staff. The promotion started in 1991 and has grown to include 325 participating White Castle restaurants across the U.S. Customers make reservations and dress up to celebrate the holiday, with some even getting engaged or announcing pregnancies at the events. The affordable, nostalgic experience has become a tradition for many families.

Why it matters

White Castle's annual Valentine's Day dinner promotion highlights the chain's ability to adapt its fast-food model to create a unique, memorable dining experience. In an era of increasing competition from fast-casual and delivery-focused restaurants, White Castle's commitment to this long-running tradition demonstrates its understanding of customer loyalty and the power of nostalgia. The event also showcases White Castle's family-friendly atmosphere, making it an appealing option for couples and families alike.

The details

Each participating White Castle restaurant is given a budget to decorate with red balloons, garland, and flowers for the Valentine's Day event. Reservations are required and opened in early January, with the chain expecting to host over 35,000 diners this year, up from 32,000 in 2025. Customers often dress up for the occasion, with some arriving in limousines, and the chain has even hosted over 200 White Castle weddings over the years. The menu features classic White Castle fare like sliders, fries, and chicken rings, with the average couple spending around $20-$25 for their meal, including dessert.

  • White Castle has hosted its Valentine's Day dinner promotion for 35 years, since 1991.
  • Reservations for the 2026 event opened in early January.

The players

White Castle

A fast-food restaurant chain known for its small, square hamburgers. White Castle has been hosting Valentine's Day dinner events at its locations for 35 years.

Krystal Gray

A customer who has attended White Castle's Valentine's Day dinner about 10 times, including this year to honor her late mother's memory.

Cornelia Murphy

Krystal Gray's mother, who passed away last spring at the age of 80. Gray will bring a photo of her mother to place on the table during this year's Valentine's Day dinner at White Castle.

Jamie Richardson

The chief marketing officer of White Castle, the Columbus, Ohio-based restaurant chain.

Ann Tubbs

The district supervisor of nine White Castle restaurants in the Detroit and mid-Michigan areas.

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What they’re saying

“It wouldn't be the same without her. I wanted something to make me feel better about her not physically being able to come.”

— Krystal Gray (ksgf.com)

“That one day White Castle becomes love castle. It's something our customers look forward to. Many are repeat visitors on Valentine's Day.”

— Jamie Richardson, Chief Marketing Officer, White Castle (ksgf.com)

“I've had a couple who announced their pregnancy. We've had people come in with their children just to make those moments, and others who have gotten engaged.”

— Ann Tubbs, District Supervisor, White Castle (ksgf.com)

“I just like the simplicity of it all — sit there and spend time with each other. Sometimes, we can do too much and it goes overboard to the point where you can't really enjoy it — spending so much money.”

— Krystal Gray (ksgf.com)

What’s next

White Castle plans to continue hosting its annual Valentine's Day dinner promotion, with reservations for the 2027 event expected to open in early January.

The takeaway

White Castle's long-running Valentine's Day dinner event demonstrates the chain's ability to transform its fast-food model into a unique, affordable, and nostalgic dining experience. The tradition has become a cherished part of many customers' holiday celebrations, highlighting the power of creating memorable moments and experiences for loyal patrons.