White Castle is moving closer to its Northeast Florida debut, with a new construction milestone for the burger chain’s planned restaurant in the St. Augustine area.
According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, St. Johns County issued a $1.95 million building permit on October 28 to Brothers Group Construction Company for a roughly 3,000-square-foot restaurant at 3315 International Golf Parkway, west of Interstate 95. The permit marks a significant step forward for the project, which was first reported earlier this year.
WhatNow previously reported in April that White Castle was planning its first Northeast Florida location near St. Augustine. The restaurant is planned for the World Commerce Center development, in an area that continues to attract new retail and dining businesses.
The project is expected to include a drive-thru, giving customers a convenient way to pick up the chain’s signature sliders and sides. Although the building permit has been issued, White Castle has not announced an opening date.
Founded in 1921, White Castle is known for its small, square hamburgers, commonly called Sliders. The Original Slider features a beef patty cooked with onions and served on a soft bun with a pickle. The chain’s menu has expanded over the years to include cheeseburger sliders, chicken and fish options, as well as breakfast sandwiches.
Customers can also choose from sides such as crinkle-cut fries, chicken rings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and hash brown nibblers. For larger orders, the restaurant offers bundles and its well-known Crave Case, which contains multiple sliders and is designed for sharing.
White Castle began expanding again in Florida in 2021, opening a large restaurant in Orlando. The company has since added locations in Clermont and Kissimmee, followed by a Daytona Beach restaurant in September 2026. The St. Augustine-area project would extend the brand’s Florida presence into Northeast Florida for the first time.
The chain has been selective about its expansion across the state. As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, White Castle had previously indicated that it was looking for suitable opportunities to expand into other Florida markets.
The planned restaurant will be part of World Commerce Center, a growing commercial area near International Golf Parkway and Interstate 95. The development is attracting a mix of retailers and restaurants, serving residents and visitors traveling through the St. Augustine area.
The company has yet to confirm a launch date or release further details about the restaurant. For more information about the menu and the brand, visit whitecastle.com
