Krystal Rolls Out New Hamburger Boxes Featuring 2008 Hall of Famers
Posted on February 6, 2009
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – There is a saying in the Krystal culture that “everyone has a Krystal story,” and this year’s class of Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame inductees include some of the best tales to date. A former NFL great and renowned college football coach who once shipped a “gourmet” Krystal meal on dry ice to a friend, a Louisiana woman who drove three hours round-trip so she could tailgate for the Super Bowl at her favorite Krystal, The Krystal Company’s two founders who opened the first Krystal restaurant amid the Great Depression, the company’s very first customer whose famous order became the popular choice for millions of future guests and a “professional” Krystal box stacker who participates in friendly competitions with friends and family are among the newest inductees for 2008.
The honor, bestowed each year upon the company’s most diehard and dedicated guests, celebrates the one-of-a-kind stories that have helped make Krystal a Southern cultural icon ever since its founding in 1932. The 15 inductees, who represent more than 10 cities and six states, were selected from several thousand e-mails and letters submitted over the past year, and to commemorate the honor, each of the new Krystal-ebrities will be featured on his or her very own Krystal Hamburger or Cheese Krystal box, the same legendary hamburger containers that are nearly as famous as the fresh, hot, small, square hamburgers they hold.
“We’re thrilled to welcome 15 new members into the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame,” said Fred Exum, chief executive officer, The Krystal Company. “We once again have an exceptional group of inductees, including the two visionaries who founded Krystal more than 75 years ago, and we’re excited to share their one-of-a-kind Krystal stories with all of our guests by featuring each inductee’s face and story on the packaging of our Famous Krystal hamburger.”
Each inductee’s box will be officially unveiled at a special ceremony held at his or her favorite Krystal restaurant and will then be used in the nearly 400 Krystal restaurants across the South beginning this January.
Each box will include an illustration of the Hall of Famer, a quote that describes his or her passion for Krystal as well as personal facts such as the inductee’s hometown and favorite Krystal meal. Each inductee will also be recognized with an official plaque that will hang in the restaurant, and he or she will also be forever preserved on the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame website at www.krystal.com.
The 15 inductees who will be officially enshrined into the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame include: Bill Curry of Atlanta, Ga.; Rody Davenport, Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Gator Harrison of Cookeville, Tenn.; Angel Figueroa of San Antonio, Texas; Anne Person of Cleveland, Tenn.; Gabby Champion of Baton Rouge, La.; Everett Duke of Phenix City, Ala.; Sally Jones of Rome, Ga.; John Evans of Jacksonville, Fla.; French Jenkins of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Hall Hunt of Jacksonville, Fla.; Jim Simmons of Hixson, Tenn.; John Hires of Jacksonville, Fla.; Susan Collins of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Robert, Joey and Steven Clark of Houston, Texas.
A sampling of inductees stories include:
A Gourmet Meal on Dry Ice
Bill Curry is no stranger to accolades. Recently hired as Georgia State University’s first football coach, the College Park native and former NFL great has racked up numerous awards and titles over 17 plus years as a college coach, including being named ACC Coach of the Year in 1985, an SEC Championship title in 1989, winning Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year honors in 1989 and being inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. And now, thanks to his lifelong love of Krystal, Curry can add Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame member to his growing list of achievements. An occasional guest on ESPN’s popular sports-talk radio show, “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” which broadcasts live from Connecticut, Curry once promised host Mike Golic that he would Fed-Ex him a seven-course meal from the very best restaurant in the South. While Golic likely had a fancy, fine-dining establishment in mind, Curry chose Krystal. And the meal: seven delicious Krystal hamburgers served up in their legendary hamburger boxes. Thinking Golic might be miffed that his gourmet meal was seven hamburgers instead of a royal feast, Curry confronted him on the air to capture his reaction live. “Those hamburgers,” said Golic, “They didn’t even make it to the refrigerator! I ate them in one sitting, and they were delicious.” Curry noted, “You just can’t beat the taste of Krystal hamburgers, even when they are mailed in dry ice all the way to Connecticut.”
A Super Bowl to Remember
In the South, tailgating could almost be considered its own sport, especially during the Super Bowl. Some people set up in stadium parking lots or in their driveways, but for Gabby Champion and her friends, the Krystal restaurant in Slidell, La. is the place to tailgate. Champion has always been a Krystal fan, but with no Krystal locations in her hometown of Baton Rouge, she has to drive three hours round trip to satisfy her Krystal cravings. Needless to say, it always helps when she has a good reason to make the journey. This February, that reason was the Super Bowl. Champion rounded up the crew and headed to Slidell, more than 90 miles away. Tailgating with those tasty little, square Krystals was all they needed to make this Super Bowl Sunday one they would never forget. Now, Champion continues to make regular road trips to the Slidell Krystal with her fellow Krystal buddies. It takes dedication to be a true Krystal Lover and Champion is in for the long haul.
The Start of a Southern Icon
When Krystal founders Rody Davenport, Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill opened the first Krystal restaurant in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1932, they knew the concept would be favored in the community but had no idea that their “unique sandwich shop” would be an instant success and develop into a Southern icon. Knowing that everyone has to eat, the two young businessmen—Davenport was 26, Sherrill, 27, at the time—turned their dream into a reality during The Great Depression in order to offer a great-tasting product that people could afford, even in the worst of economic times. Customers flocked to the small building with the spotless chrome and tile fittings to perch upon the six stools and enjoy hot-off-the-grill Krystals. This innovative, “Krystal-clean” restaurant design coupled with the ground-breaking business of food “to go” and the introduction of new menu items continued to make Davenport and Sherrill trendsetters in the industry. The Krystal Company is now the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast, and although the two leaders died young, their concept of offering “big taste” food at an appealing price lives on more than 75 years later.
Krystal’s First Customer
On Oct. 24, 1932, the nation’s first Krystal restaurant opened in a small building at the southwest corner of Seventh and Cherry streets in downtown Chattanooga. For French Jenkins, this was no ordinary day, but the day that he became Krystal’s legendary first customer. Legend has it that as Jenkins sat at one of Krystal’s six stools, a waitress at the counter shouted out his order, “Six Krystals and a cup of joe on 1,” telling the cook that she needed six Krystal hamburgers for stool number one. This famous order, which was then served on real china, will forever be embedded in Krystal’s history as customers order up Krystals by the Sackful.
Krystal’s “Mr. Steamer Pack”
Hall Hunt, better known as Hall “Hoover” Hunt, didn’t get his nickname for nothing! As one of the world’s top professional eaters and a member of the Major League Eating (MLE) organization, the 26-year-old makes a living out of his ability to consume food in a vacuum-like fashion. A lifelong fan of Krystal, Hunt was excited when Krystal started the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, an eating competition featuring one of his favorite foods – the famous Krystal hamburger. Since competing in his first Krystal Square Off in 2005, Hunt has consumed thousands of Krystals during his training regimen, a feat that has earned him the title of “Mr. Steamer Pack” at his local Jacksonville, Fla. Krystal restaurant. Hunt’s dedication and hard work has more than paid off. This past September, he broke Joey Chestnut’s Jacksonville Krystal-eating record by devouring 60 Krystals in eight minutes, and he went on to better that mark at the world championship in Chattanooga, where he consumed 63 Krystals and won $2,000. While most people might want to take a break after eating thousands of Krystals, as a true Krystal lover, Hunt is already planning to compete in next year’s Krystal Square Off, his fifth to date.
Professional Krystal Box Stacker
When it comes to Krystal lovers, not many people stack up against Gator Harrison. Growing up in Sparta, Tenn., Harrison was first introduced to Krystal at a very young age, and when he headed off to college at Middle Tennessee State University, Harrison began dabbling in the fine art of Krystal box stacking. His most famous creation at the time: “The Krystal Man,” a life-sized abstract human form that became a permanent figure in his dorm room. Still a Krystal lover in adulthood, Harrison continues to compete with his brothers, friends and old college roommates, judging his creations on height. However, sometimes creativity prevails! Harrison gathers boxes by ordering his favorite four cheese Krystals meal and by collecting packaging from fellow guests he encounters at the restaurant. After years of practice, Harrison now considers himself a “professional” Krystal box stacker. This past year, Harrison’s youngest daughter, Roman, just turned old enough to enjoy her first Krystal. Harrison has high hopes that she will continue his box-stacking legacy.
The Krystal Monument
Robert, Joey and Steven Clark have been avid Krystal lovers ever since the Houston Krystal opened in 2005, making weekly trips to the neighborhood eatery to pick up their favorite Krystal meal. After eating a countless number of Krystal’s signature Steamer Packs, the brothers decided it was time for a permanent representation and reminder of Krystal’s greatness, hence the birth of The Krystal Monument. After hundreds of visits to the restaurant and 2.5 years of saving 450 of the legendary Krystal boxes, the three completed a 7-foot-tall, scale model of the Washington Monument. Now every time Robert, Joey or Steven enjoy a savory meal from Krystal, they can be seen with lasting smiles on their faces after the last french fry is eaten because they are basking in the glory of their personal Krystal creation, which lives on forever in their Houston home!
The Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame
The Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame was first created in October of 2005 as a way for Krystal to recognize and celebrate its most devoted and passionate customers. Those interested in sharing a Krystal Lovers story should visit the Krystal Lover section of the Krystal website at www.krystal.com and share in detail their unique experience or passion for the Krystal brand.
The Krystal Company
Founded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. The Krystal brand – and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents – has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 400 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com.
the Krystal website.
Media Contact:
Brian Cooley
Wicked PR
404.589.9888
cell: 404.316.7482
brian [at] wicked-pr.com
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – There is a saying in the Krystal culture that “everyone has a Krystal story,” and this year’s class of Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame inductees include some of the best tales to date. A former NFL great and renowned college football coach who once shipped a “gourmet” Krystal meal on dry ice to a friend, a Louisiana woman who drove three hours round-trip so she could tailgate for the Super Bowl at her favorite Krystal, The Krystal Company’s two founders who opened the first Krystal restaurant amid the Great Depression, the company’s very first customer whose famous order became the popular choice for millions of future guests and a “professional” Krystal box stacker who participates in friendly competitions with friends and family are among the newest inductees for 2008.
The honor, bestowed each year upon the company’s most diehard and dedicated guests, celebrates the one-of-a-kind stories that have helped make Krystal a Southern cultural icon ever since its founding in 1932. The 15 inductees, who represent more than 10 cities and six states, were selected from several thousand e-mails and letters submitted over the past year, and to commemorate the honor, each of the new Krystal-ebrities will be featured on his or her very own Krystal Hamburger or Cheese Krystal box, the same legendary hamburger containers that are nearly as famous as the fresh, hot, small, square hamburgers they hold.
“We’re thrilled to welcome 15 new members into the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame,” said Fred Exum, chief executive officer, The Krystal Company. “We once again have an exceptional group of inductees, including the two visionaries who founded Krystal more than 75 years ago, and we’re excited to share their one-of-a-kind Krystal stories with all of our guests by featuring each inductee’s face and story on the packaging of our Famous Krystal hamburger.”
Each inductee’s box will be officially unveiled at a special ceremony held at his or her favorite Krystal restaurant and will then be used in the nearly 400 Krystal restaurants across the South beginning this January.
Each box will include an illustration of the Hall of Famer, a quote that describes his or her passion for Krystal as well as personal facts such as the inductee’s hometown and favorite Krystal meal. Each inductee will also be recognized with an official plaque that will hang in the restaurant, and he or she will also be forever preserved on the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame website at www.krystal.com.
The 15 inductees who will be officially enshrined into the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame include: Bill Curry of Atlanta, Ga.; Rody Davenport, Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Gator Harrison of Cookeville, Tenn.; Angel Figueroa of San Antonio, Texas; Anne Person of Cleveland, Tenn.; Gabby Champion of Baton Rouge, La.; Everett Duke of Phenix City, Ala.; Sally Jones of Rome, Ga.; John Evans of Jacksonville, Fla.; French Jenkins of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Hall Hunt of Jacksonville, Fla.; Jim Simmons of Hixson, Tenn.; John Hires of Jacksonville, Fla.; Susan Collins of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Robert, Joey and Steven Clark of Houston, Texas.
A sampling of inductees stories include:
A Gourmet Meal on Dry Ice
Bill Curry is no stranger to accolades. Recently hired as Georgia State University’s first football coach, the College Park native and former NFL great has racked up numerous awards and titles over 17 plus years as a college coach, including being named ACC Coach of the Year in 1985, an SEC Championship title in 1989, winning Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year honors in 1989 and being inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. And now, thanks to his lifelong love of Krystal, Curry can add Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame member to his growing list of achievements. An occasional guest on ESPN’s popular sports-talk radio show, “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” which broadcasts live from Connecticut, Curry once promised host Mike Golic that he would Fed-Ex him a seven-course meal from the very best restaurant in the South. While Golic likely had a fancy, fine-dining establishment in mind, Curry chose Krystal. And the meal: seven delicious Krystal hamburgers served up in their legendary hamburger boxes. Thinking Golic might be miffed that his gourmet meal was seven hamburgers instead of a royal feast, Curry confronted him on the air to capture his reaction live. “Those hamburgers,” said Golic, “They didn’t even make it to the refrigerator! I ate them in one sitting, and they were delicious.” Curry noted, “You just can’t beat the taste of Krystal hamburgers, even when they are mailed in dry ice all the way to Connecticut.”
A Super Bowl to Remember
In the South, tailgating could almost be considered its own sport, especially during the Super Bowl. Some people set up in stadium parking lots or in their driveways, but for Gabby Champion and her friends, the Krystal restaurant in Slidell, La. is the place to tailgate. Champion has always been a Krystal fan, but with no Krystal locations in her hometown of Baton Rouge, she has to drive three hours round trip to satisfy her Krystal cravings. Needless to say, it always helps when she has a good reason to make the journey. This February, that reason was the Super Bowl. Champion rounded up the crew and headed to Slidell, more than 90 miles away. Tailgating with those tasty little, square Krystals was all they needed to make this Super Bowl Sunday one they would never forget. Now, Champion continues to make regular road trips to the Slidell Krystal with her fellow Krystal buddies. It takes dedication to be a true Krystal Lover and Champion is in for the long haul.
The Start of a Southern Icon
When Krystal founders Rody Davenport, Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill opened the first Krystal restaurant in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1932, they knew the concept would be favored in the community but had no idea that their “unique sandwich shop” would be an instant success and develop into a Southern icon. Knowing that everyone has to eat, the two young businessmen—Davenport was 26, Sherrill, 27, at the time—turned their dream into a reality during The Great Depression in order to offer a great-tasting product that people could afford, even in the worst of economic times. Customers flocked to the small building with the spotless chrome and tile fittings to perch upon the six stools and enjoy hot-off-the-grill Krystals. This innovative, “Krystal-clean” restaurant design coupled with the ground-breaking business of food “to go” and the introduction of new menu items continued to make Davenport and Sherrill trendsetters in the industry. The Krystal Company is now the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the Southeast, and although the two leaders died young, their concept of offering “big taste” food at an appealing price lives on more than 75 years later.
Krystal’s First Customer
On Oct. 24, 1932, the nation’s first Krystal restaurant opened in a small building at the southwest corner of Seventh and Cherry streets in downtown Chattanooga. For French Jenkins, this was no ordinary day, but the day that he became Krystal’s legendary first customer. Legend has it that as Jenkins sat at one of Krystal’s six stools, a waitress at the counter shouted out his order, “Six Krystals and a cup of joe on 1,” telling the cook that she needed six Krystal hamburgers for stool number one. This famous order, which was then served on real china, will forever be embedded in Krystal’s history as customers order up Krystals by the Sackful.
Krystal’s “Mr. Steamer Pack”
Hall Hunt, better known as Hall “Hoover” Hunt, didn’t get his nickname for nothing! As one of the world’s top professional eaters and a member of the Major League Eating (MLE) organization, the 26-year-old makes a living out of his ability to consume food in a vacuum-like fashion. A lifelong fan of Krystal, Hunt was excited when Krystal started the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, an eating competition featuring one of his favorite foods – the famous Krystal hamburger. Since competing in his first Krystal Square Off in 2005, Hunt has consumed thousands of Krystals during his training regimen, a feat that has earned him the title of “Mr. Steamer Pack” at his local Jacksonville, Fla. Krystal restaurant. Hunt’s dedication and hard work has more than paid off. This past September, he broke Joey Chestnut’s Jacksonville Krystal-eating record by devouring 60 Krystals in eight minutes, and he went on to better that mark at the world championship in Chattanooga, where he consumed 63 Krystals and won $2,000. While most people might want to take a break after eating thousands of Krystals, as a true Krystal lover, Hunt is already planning to compete in next year’s Krystal Square Off, his fifth to date.
Professional Krystal Box Stacker
When it comes to Krystal lovers, not many people stack up against Gator Harrison. Growing up in Sparta, Tenn., Harrison was first introduced to Krystal at a very young age, and when he headed off to college at Middle Tennessee State University, Harrison began dabbling in the fine art of Krystal box stacking. His most famous creation at the time: “The Krystal Man,” a life-sized abstract human form that became a permanent figure in his dorm room. Still a Krystal lover in adulthood, Harrison continues to compete with his brothers, friends and old college roommates, judging his creations on height. However, sometimes creativity prevails! Harrison gathers boxes by ordering his favorite four cheese Krystals meal and by collecting packaging from fellow guests he encounters at the restaurant. After years of practice, Harrison now considers himself a “professional” Krystal box stacker. This past year, Harrison’s youngest daughter, Roman, just turned old enough to enjoy her first Krystal. Harrison has high hopes that she will continue his box-stacking legacy.
The Krystal Monument
Robert, Joey and Steven Clark have been avid Krystal lovers ever since the Houston Krystal opened in 2005, making weekly trips to the neighborhood eatery to pick up their favorite Krystal meal. After eating a countless number of Krystal’s signature Steamer Packs, the brothers decided it was time for a permanent representation and reminder of Krystal’s greatness, hence the birth of The Krystal Monument. After hundreds of visits to the restaurant and 2.5 years of saving 450 of the legendary Krystal boxes, the three completed a 7-foot-tall, scale model of the Washington Monument. Now every time Robert, Joey or Steven enjoy a savory meal from Krystal, they can be seen with lasting smiles on their faces after the last french fry is eaten because they are basking in the glory of their personal Krystal creation, which lives on forever in their Houston home!
The Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame
The Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame was first created in October of 2005 as a way for Krystal to recognize and celebrate its most devoted and passionate customers. Those interested in sharing a Krystal Lovers story should visit the Krystal Lover section of the Krystal website at www.krystal.com and share in detail their unique experience or passion for the Krystal brand.
The Krystal Company
Founded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. The Krystal brand – and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents – has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 400 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com.
the Krystal website.
Media Contact:
Brian Cooley
Wicked PR
404.589.9888
cell: 404.316.7482
brian [at] wicked-pr.com
