Interface Systems has announced that the fast-food hamburger chain, White Castle, has successfully piloted the company’s AI security solution – Virtual Perimeter Guard – at a location in St. Louis.
The pilot reportedly delivered measurable reductions in loitering, late-night incidents and security escalations while improving safety for employees and customers.
White Castle deploys AI security solution
According to Interface Systems, the pilot focused on a location experiencing after-hours security challenges, including loitering, open-air drug use, customer pestering in drive-thru lanes and vandalism that cost thousands of dollars per incident.
Within the first 30 days of deployment, 91% of perimeter security events were resolved through AI detection and live voice deterrence.
White Castle also reported improved employee morale, a stronger sense of safety and increased customer comfort while waiting in late-night drive-thru lines.
“Sometimes we don’t even realize something bad may be happening, and the Interface Security experts are already intervening and telling potential criminals to leave,” said Cheryl Soest, District Supervisor at White Castle.
“That allows our team to focus on serving customers instead of worrying about what’s happening outside.”
“AI detection” and “live human intervention”
Unlike traditional exterior cameras or pre-recorded warning systems that are often ignored, Virtual Perimeter Guard combines AI detection, escalating voice downs with powerful strobe lighting and live security professionals who intervene in real-time.
The White Castle Virtual Perimeter Guard system is armed nightly when exterior visibility is limited.
“People don’t take pre-recorded messages seriously,” Soest added. “When the lights come on, and a live person speaks, they move. They don’t wait around.”
“What this deployment of Virtual Perimeter Guard demonstrates is the shift from reactive security to proactive prevention,” said Steve Womer, Senior Vice President of Product, Interface Systems.
“By combining AI detection with live human intervention, Virtual Perimeter Guard stops issues before they escalate into property damage, safety incidents or operational disruption.
“White Castle’s results show how perimeter intelligence can directly improve safety, reduce cost exposure and give operators peace of mind without adding burden to store teams.”
Boosting employee confidence and customer experience
Installation and onboarding of the AI security solution were completed without disrupting restaurant operations.
The company notes that it managed system tuning, testing and ongoing monitoring and that White Castle leadership received weekly insight reports, eliminating the need for on-site staff to actively monitor footage.
Beyond loss prevention, White Castle noted improvements in employee confidence and customer experience, particularly during late-night operations, where perceptions of safety directly affect retention and traffic.
White Castle is evaluating full-perimeter coverage at the pilot location and potential expansion to restaurants with similar challenges.
To read the full case study from Interface Systems, click here.
