COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 7, 2026--
White Castle, the iconic fast-food hamburger chain and retail consumer packaged goods brand, announced the promotion of Jamie Richardson to chief marketing officer. As CMO, Richardson will play a central role in shaping how White Castle tells its story, connects with Cravers and lives out its brand values. Richardson succeeds Lynn Blashford, who is retiring from White Castle after 15 years of outstanding service, the last six as chief marketing officer.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107510324/en/
“Jamie brings a deep knowledge of our brand, strong relationships across our communities and an unwavering belief in what makes White Castle special,” said Lisa Ingram, CEO of White Castle and the great-granddaughter of White Castle’s founder, Billy Ingram. “I have full confidence that Jamie will carry forward the strong foundation Lynn has built while continuing to bring fresh ideas and energy to the team.”
“White Castle has been a part of my life for more than 27 years, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as chief marketing officer,” said Richardson, a fourth-generation family member. “We exist to feed the souls of craver generations everywhere. Sharing our story with more cravers and potential cravers helps us do just that. Whether you’re seeking us out at the drive-thru or in your grocer’s freezer aisle, our marketing mission is to make sure you know the Castle has you covered.”
Richardson joined the White Castle home office team in 1998 as regional marketing supervisor. He was promoted to assistant director of marketing, director of marketing and, in 2008, vice president of corporate relations and communications. In that position, he was responsible for shareholder relations, government relations, philanthropy and internal communications. In January 2020, Richardson was given a broader role in the business, becoming vice president of marketing and public relations, where he led a dedicated team to grow the relevance of and reverence for the White Castle brand. Prior to White Castle, Richardson held leadership roles at advertising agency J. Walter Thompson.
As CMO, Richardson will report to White Castle President Anthony Joseph.
A resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Richardson and his wife, Kate, are the proud parents of five children. Active in the community, Richardson is a past board chair of the Ohio Restaurant Association and the National Council of Chain Restaurants. He currently serves as a vice chair for the national board of Autism Speaks and is an active volunteer at St. John the Baptist parish.
About White Castle ®
White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates about 340 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including “Most Influential Burger of All Time” by Time magazine (2014, The Original Slider ® ) and one of the “10 Most Innovative Dining Companies” by Fast Company (2021). White Castle is known for the legendary engagement of its team members and has received the Great Place to Work ® Certification™ for an extraordinary five consecutive years spanning 2021–2025. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans (Cravers), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the CRAVER NATION REWARDS ® loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. For more information on White Castle and how to Follow Your Crave, visit whitecastle.com.
Editor’s Note: Download an image of Jamie Richardsonhere.
Jamie Richardson was promoted to chief marketing officer at White Castle.
DALLAS (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Thursday accused rapper Pooh Shiesty and eight others of robbing three men at gunpoint and kidnapping them earlier this year in Texas following a contract dispute involving rapper Gucci Mane 's record label.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Dallas declined to name the victims and an FBI affidavit attached to a criminal complaint only refers to them by their initials. One victim, R.D., is described as the owner of 1017 Records, the label belonging to Gucci Mane, whose legal name is Radric Delantic Davis.
“The victims in this case came to Dallas to conduct legitimate business and they were met with firearms and violence,” Ryan Raybould, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, where the complaint was filed, said at a news conference Thursday.
Publicists for Gucci Mane didn’t immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
The alleged confrontation happened Jan. 10 after the three victims flew to Dallas for what they thought was a business meeting at a music studio, according to the affidavit. Prosecutors said Pooh Shiesty, whose legal is name Lontrell Williams Jr., arranged the meeting, allegedly to discuss the terms of his contract with 1017 Records.
“Once these three men were inside the recording studio, Williams Jr. and eight co-conspirators — several of whom traveled from Memphis, Tennessee — executed a coordinated, armed takeover,” said Raybould, who described Pooh Shiesty as the “ringleader."
Raybould said eight of the nine were arrested Wednesday. In Tennessee, the FBI in Memphis said Wednesday that it went to a home in the suburb of Cordova to serve court-approved warrants. Property records show it is owned by Pooh Shiesty.
Raybould described the three victims as music industry professionals. In the affidavit, the other two victims are referred to by the initials M.M. and B.P.
The affidavit said that Pooh Shiesty had asked to speak with the record label owner privately in a recording room. The label owner then entered the room with Pooh Shiesty, Pooh Shiesty's father and rapper Big30, whose legal name is Rodney Wright. Both Lontrell Williams Sr. and Wright are also defendants.
Pooh Shiesty produced contract termination paperwork and told the label owner to sign. They argued and Pooh Shiesty pulled what appeared to be an AK-style pistol and forced him to sign. Pooh Shiesty then took the man's wedding ring, watch, earrings and cash, the affidavit said.
When they left the room, the other defendants produced firearms and demanded property from the other two victims, the affidavit said, and the man referred to as M.M. was choked to near unconsciousness.
The affidavit said Wright blocked the studio door with his body to prevent the victims from leaving.
Messages to Wright and his label were not immediately returned Thursday. Contact information for Lontrell Williams Sr. could not immediately be found. A number listed for him was not in service. The number listed for the house in Cordova was also not in service.
Pooh Shiesty didn’t immediately return an emailed request for comment. At the time of the alleged confrontation in Texas, he was on home confinement for a prior firearms conspiracy conviction out of Florida and was required to wear an electronic monitoring device, prosecutors said.
Investigators used data from the device, plus surveillance videos, cell phone records and images posted on social media, as part of their probe, the affidavit said.
Bradford Cohen, an attorney for Pooh Shiesty in that firearms case, did not immediately reply to an email and phone call for comment.
Gucci Mane is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of trap music alongside fellow Atlanta rappers T.I. and Jeezy. He emerged in the mid-2000s with his breakout single “Icy” and went on to build a vast catalog. He has also helped launch or develop artists including Young Thug and earned a Grammy nomination for his appearing on Lizzo’s song “Exactly How I Feel.”
Gucci Maine's career has also been marked by legal troubles and personal struggles. In the 2000s and early 2010s, he faced multiple arrests on charges including drug possession, assault and probation violations. In 2014, he was sentenced in a federal firearms case and was released from prison in 2016.
His 2017 memoir, “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane,” reflects on his evolution as a music artist and personal struggles such as being diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In recent years, he has publicly emphasized sobriety and stability.
This story has been corrected to show that details came from an affidavit attached to a criminal complaint, not an indictment.
Associated Press reporters Adrian Sainz in Memphis and Jonathan Landrum Jr. in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
FILE - Gucci Mane performs during the Festival d'ete de Quebec in Quebec City, Canada on July 12, 2019. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Gucci Mane performs at the Essence Festival in New Orleans on July 1, 2023. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
