White Castle Kicks Off Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece Campaign

Autism Speaks Puzzle Pieces are available to purchase for $1 at all White Castle restaurants. Donations support the nation's largest autism research and advocacy organization, Autism Speaks.

Autism Speaks Puzzle Pieces are available to purchase for $1 at all White Castle restaurants. Donations support the nation's largest autism research and advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. This is the second year White Castle is hosting a puzzle piece campaign, which runs through August 18. When Cravers purchase a puzzle piece, they sign their name and it's hung inside the restaurant on display through the end of the campaign. Each purchase of an Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece comes with a coupon for one free Slider good for a later date.

"Since White Castle has become involved with Autism Speaks, we have donated $1.3 million from the sale of puzzle pieces and the Original Slider® candle," said Jamie Richardson, vice president.

Cravers purchased 384,190 puzzle pieces in 2010 and 435,000 puzzle pieces in 2011.

"Earlier this year, White Castle participated in the Autism Speaks Light it Up Blue event, where the headquarters were bathed in 40 blue spotlights to celebrate Autism Awareness in April," Richardson said. "We have the most loyal customers and they're the ones who have mainly been responsible for our donations to Autism Speaks. The success of the puzzle piece campaigns would not be possible without our loyal Cravers."

According to the Autism Speaks website, autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders. It's estimated that one in every 88 children is diagnosed with autism and one in 54 boys. An estimated two million people in the U.S. are affected by this biological disorder. Scientists have yet to determine a definitive cause for autism.

About White Castle

White Castle is a family-owned business based in Columbus, Ohio that owns and operates more than 400 White Castle restaurants in 12 states. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas in 1921 and is America's first fast-food hamburger chain. All White Castle Sliders are made from 100-percent USDA approved beef. White Castle's new loyalty program, Craver Nation launched in May.

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