White Castle hires staff in Orlando at $13 to start

Hiring was underway last week for the White Castle set to open this spring near Disney World, with wages starting at $13 per hour.

The restaurant, under construction in the O-Town West development on Daryl Carter Parkway, will employ about 140 people, including managers, said Michael Guinan, vice president of operations and services.

White Castle had received 650 applications as of Tuesday, but Guinan said he would like to have “well over” 1,000 applicants. Potential candidates could go to careers.whitecastle.com or text Orlando to 56379 for a link to the hiring site.

Wages start at $13 per hour, but after 30 days it increases to $13.50 and after 90 days it goes to $14.

“It’s a fast-paced environment. It’s not easy work. It’s hard work,” Guinan said. “The expectations are high with customer service and being our brand ambassadors. So we feel the salaries are going to help us attract applicants that will help fit our need.”

Interest has been building for the first White Castle in Florida since the 1960s.

A White Castle ghost kitchen near downtown Orlando, without a dining room, opened in February and had to abruptly close because of overwhelming demand until the full restaurant near Disney opens.

The 4,567-square-foot restaurant at O-Town West will feature two drive-through lanes along with indoor and outdoor seating.

Brittany Fennessee got a job at White Castle as interviews took place on Tuesday.

“I’ve been a homemaker for like 10 years and I want to get back out there,” said Fennessee, a 35-year-old Orlando resident and mother of four. “I’m ready to go.”