{"id":244490,"date":"2025-05-17T02:31:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T02:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/burger\/fit-for-a-king-the-history-of-royal-castle-hamburgers-in-miami-and-beyond-burger-beast\/"},"modified":"2025-05-17T02:31:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T02:31:19","slug":"fit-for-a-king-the-history-of-royal-castle-hamburgers-in-miami-and-beyond-burger-beast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=244490","title":{"rendered":"Fit for a King: The History of Royal Castle Hamburgers in Miami and Beyond \u2022 Burger Beast"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Many remember the distinct aroma and tiny, flavorful sliders of Royal Castle<\/strong>, a beloved burger chain with deep roots in both Miami, Florida, and Cleveland, Ohio. While these were two separate companies, both left an indelible mark on the palates and memories of their respective communities. In Miami, Royal Castle wasn\u2019t just a restaurant; it was a local institution, the city\u2019s very first burger chain.<\/p>\n

This post dives into the captivating history of Miami\u2019s Royal Castle, exploring its highs, its lows, and the enduring legacy that continues to this day. Consider this your all-access pass to the stories behind those little square\u2026 wait, round<\/em> burgers! And who knows, maybe one day this will indeed become the definitive book on the Royal Castle System. In the meantime, we\u2019d love to hear your<\/em> Royal Castle memories in the comments below!<\/p>\n

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\"The\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Royal Castle Hamburgers History<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

A Look Inside: Royal Castle \u2013 Miami Company<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Founding and the Flavor (1938)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our story begins in 1938 when Ohio transplant William Singer, inspired by the success of the White Castle System<\/strong>, established Royal Castle in Miami. The very first location at 7957 NE 2nd Avenue may be gone, but its impact is still felt.<\/p>\n

Singer clearly admired White Castle, which had been serving up its iconic square sliders in Ohio for over two decades. However, when White Castle finally arrived in South Florida in 1959, they found Royal Castle firmly entrenched in the hearts (and stomachs) of Miami\u2019s mini-burger enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

So, what made the Miami Royal Castle burger unique? As the Miami Herald\u2019s Jeffrey Weiss aptly described:<\/p>\n

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They were round \u2013 unlike their square, northern White Castle<\/strong><\/a> counterparts \u2013 perhaps two half dollars wide and not much thicker, fried to within an inch of their lives and topped with minced fried onions and a couple of pickle slices.<\/p>\n

Miami Herald\u2019s Jeffrey Weiss<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But Royal Castle was more than just burgers. Their breakfast was equally renowned. Imagine freshly squeezed orange juice, eggs cooked in butter, and coffee served with rich, heavy whipping cream \u2013 a truly royal way to start the day!<\/p>\n

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\"Grand\"Grand
Grand Opening ad for Royal Castle<\/strong> from The Miami Herald on March 18, 1938<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Original\"Original
Original Location Building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

During its initial week, that first Royal Castle store raked in a respectable $245, a testament to its immediate popularity. By the mid-1960s, the company had grown to an impressive network of over 200 locations. <\/p>\n

Interestingly, the first twenty Royal Castle buildings were open-air structures. A later disagreement with local authorities led to the shift towards the enclosed, flat-top, glass-fronted design we still associate with Royal Castle today. <\/p>\n

These iconic buildings, often featuring the \u201cFit for a King\u201d slogan embedded in their terrazzo floors, were a signature of the brand.<\/p>\n

COOL FACT<\/strong>: Before he built his McDonald\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> empire, Ray Kroc sold multimixer shake machines to Royal Castle while working for Prince Castle!<\/p>\n

The Ride: Going Public and a Change of Hands (Mid-1960s \u2013 1970)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Royal Castle went public in 1965, marking a new chapter for the company. However, in February 1969, the reign of the original owners came to an end when Royal Castle was sold to Performance Systems Inc., the owners of Minnie Pearl\u2019s Chicken.<\/p>\n

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\"The\"The
The Miami News 2-14-69<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Unfortunately, Performance Systems soon found itself embroiled in a scandal involving the Securities and Trade Commission and their franchise fee reporting methods. By September 1970, the company announced a staggering $39 million loss, putting them in dire financial straits. To recoup losses, Performance Systems began selling off Royal Castle locations where the real estate value outweighed the restaurant\u2019s profitability.<\/p>\n

Untold Stories: Forgotten Royal Castle History<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Delving deeper into the past reveals some fascinating and, at times, troubling aspects of Royal Castle\u2019s history. The very first location employed female carhops in flared pants \u2013 a detail that seems almost quaint when you learn that women wouldn\u2019t work inside<\/em> a Royal Castle restaurant again until 1967.<\/p>\n

The most difficult part of the company\u2019s history to confront is the period when Black customers were not permitted inside Royal Castle locations and could only order from an outdoor take-out window. This discriminatory practice finally changed in the mid-1960s. <\/p>\n

A significant turning point came when James N. Brimberry became the first Black employee to work inside a Royal Castle restaurant. In a remarkable twist of fate, James went on to purchase seven Royal Castle locations. <\/p>\n

Even after the company\u2019s bankruptcy in 1975 and subsequent liquidation in 1979, James Brimberry single-handedly kept the Royal Castle flame alive for many years. Today, his family proudly carries on this legacy.<\/p>\n

Hollywood Royalty: Royal Castle on the Silver Screen<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Royal Castle\u2019s iconic look and local presence even landed it roles in some notable productions, including the James Bond classic Goldfinger<\/em> and the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight<\/em> (2017).<\/p>\n

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\"Royal\"Royal
Royal Castle in the film Goldfinger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Northern Cousin: Royal Castle \u2013 Ohio Company<\/h2>\n
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\"Ohio\"Ohio
Lansing State Journal April 20th, 1973<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

It\u2019s easy to assume that all Royal Castle restaurants were part of the Miami-based chain, which did expand into Georgia and Louisiana. However, a separate Royal Castle company operated in Cleveland, Ohio, and parts of Michigan. Founded in 1940 by William Singer\u2019s brother, Samuel, the Ohio-based restaurants bore a striking resemblance to their Miami counterparts.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, while the Miami locations struggled in the early 1970s, Sugardale Foods Inc. acquired the 32 Ohio and Michigan locations in 1973. Sadly, due to poor performance, Sugardale closed all of these northern Royal Castles by 1975.<\/p>\n

The Road Not Taken: Franchising<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite its popularity, Royal Castle\u2019s attempts at franchising never quite took off. Here\u2019s a glimpse into a franchising pamphlet from the late 1960s:<\/p>\n

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\"Royal\"Royal
Royal Castle Franchising Pamphlet Front<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal\"Royal
Pages 2 and 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal\"Royal
Pages 4 and 5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal\"Royal
Pages 6 and 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal\"Royal
Pages 8 and 9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal\"Royal
Pages 10 and 11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Royal\"Royal
Royal Castle Franchising Pamphlet Back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Mapping the Kingdom: Royal Castle Locations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At its peak, the Miami Royal Castle boasted an extensive network of restaurants. Here are a few glimpses of their expansion:<\/p>\n

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\"1961\"1961
1961 Restaurant Locations<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Map\"Map
Map ad from the Tampa Bay Times 7-28-66<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"1967\"1967
1967 Directory of Restaurants<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Heart of the Operation: Royal Castle Commissary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To support its growing number of restaurants, Royal Castle built a large commissary along the railroad tracks in Hialeah in 1958. This facility not only provided the necessary supplies but also housed a 24-hour restaurant. The original building still stands today, a silent testament to the chain\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

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\"Commissary\"Commissary
Commissary in the Miami Herald 1-19-58<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Royal\"Royal
Royal Castle Commissary Postcard in Hialeah, picture courtesy of DonBoyd.net<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Royal\"Royal
Former Royal Castle Commissary Building, picture courtesy of <\/em>Phillip Pessar<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

From Burgers to Businesses: Repurposed Royal Castle Buildings<\/h2>\n

The distinctive architecture of Royal Castle buildings made them easily recognizable. Many of these structures have been repurposed and continue to serve the community in new ways:<\/p>\n

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\"Former\"Former
Former Royal Castle building in Miami Gardens, Florida<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Domino's\"Domino's
Domino\u2019s Pizza<\/strong> in Tallahassee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Royal\"Royal
Royal Castle Tallahassee Grand Opening January 17th, 1969<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Grand\"Grand
Grand Opening ad in the Tallahassee Democrat January 17, 1969<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n