CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ A social media campaign announcing the "first White Castle in North Carolina" was an elaborate hoax that apparently duped hundreds of burger lovers around Charlotte over the past two days.
The responsible party is still a mystery, but the mischief included a Facebook page that revealed an opening date in the fall and an address for the restaurant outside Charlotte in Indian Trail.
"It's fake news," White Castle spokeswoman Wendy Schwantes told McClatchy News on Thursday.
"White Castle does not have any plans at this point to open a White Castle in North Carolina. Sorry to disappoint our Cravers there!"
The Ohio-based chain, which has a cult-like following, was forced to address the issue Thursday morning after a Charlotte TV station reported the hoax as legitimate news, she said.
Not long after, the Facebook page mysteriously went blank.
A community effort to lure a White Castle to Indian Trail is very much real and dates back to last year, when a Change.org petition went online.
Only 100 people have signed it, but their effort seemed to pay off Wednesday, when someone created a "White Castle _ Indian Trail NC" Facebook page with the big announcement.
It said the state's first White Castle would open there this fall: "For those curious about our location, we are going to be located in a new shopping center on Indian Trail Fairview Road at the Hemby Bridge exit of the Monroe Bypass," the page revealed.
More than 500 people were following the page in a matter of hours, and as many shared it on their own Facebook pages.
"This made my day!" posted one woman. "Can't wait. Imma be in that line like people was in the Popeyes line and yes I want a crave case with cheese please."
"There is a God ... He heard my prayers," wrote another.
Some people were suspicious, however, labeling it "fake news" and demanding proof, and noting there was no mention of a North Carolina restaurant on White Castle's website.
"For some reason, I still don't think this page is legit. This could be the epic troll of 2020," posted one man on the page.
Turns out he was right.
Not long after, all the content vanished and was replaced by a note saying: "This page isn't available."
White Castle _ known as "America's first fast-food hamburger chain" _ has 375 restaurants in 13 states, most of which stay open 24 hours.
Jamie Richardson, a vice president at White Castle, sent a statement Thursday to McClatchy News, noting the company eventually could open a North Carolina restaurant. He also noted it offers retail products in the refrigerated section of local stores, should fans feel cheated.
"We would never say never to opening a location in North Carolina, but at this point, we don't have any plans to do that," the statement said.
