Krystal Opens First Texas Restaurant in Over a Decade

Tyler, Texas — Krystal has opened its first new restaurant in Texas in over a decade, marking a significant moment in its comeback strategy. The new location inside the EZ Travel Center began serving customers on April 15.

This Krystal restaurant is the company’s first 24/7 outlet at a rest stop. The fast-food chain was originally established in 1932 by founders Rody Davenport Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill, who purchased a Tennessee property for $5,000.

Krystal gained popularity in 1954 when a local DJ ordered 100 sliders to distribute among his fans outside the restaurant. With high-profile guests and increasing demand, Krystal launched its first franchise in 1990. Today, the chain operates more than 300 locations, a fraction of the size compared to major competitors like McDonald's.

Now under SPB Hospitality, Krystal is eager to expand, planning to open 200 additional locations within the next three to four years. Many of these will be in innovative formats, including travel centers, airports, and convenience stores. “We’ll keep growing with traditional restaurants, but high-traffic hubs allow us more flexibility and efficiency,” said Josh Kern, CEO of SPB.

Highway 31 Food Service, the franchisee for the Tyler location, is also looking to expand the presence of this iconic brand in Texas. Jagtar ‘Jag’ Thethy from Highway 31 Foodservice expressed optimism about the potential of this new format, stating, “We see enormous potential in bringing Krystal to formats like this travel center. We’re excited about what lies ahead. “

Krystal has experienced financial challenges in recent years and filed for bankruptcy twice, with its most recent filing in January 2020 before being acquired by SPB Hospitality. Since then, the company has seen a rebound in sales and does not plan to close any of its restaurants, unlike some of its rivals.

In an effort to modernize its service, Krystal has introduced digital menu boards and made improvements to its drive-thru lanes. The Daily Mail contacted Krystal’s parent company, SPB Hospitality, for comments regarding the future of the restaurant chain.