Ask Hamilton: Krystal

 

Dear Hungry for History,

You’ve come to the right place! One of this history hound’s favorite things is how many iconic inventions and nationally known companies got their start right here in the Scenic City, and Krystal is no exception. Widely recognized as one of the oldest fast-food hamburger chains in the United States, Krystal’s origins take us back to the early years of the Great Depression.

Krystal was founded in 1932 right here in Chattanooga by entrepreneurs Rody Davenport Jr. and J. Glenn Sherrill, who were only 26 and 27 years old at the time. The duo had a vision for a clean, efficient, – and of course, tasty – restaurant that could serve up affordable burgers to the people of Chattanooga, and they got to work bringing it to life.

 

 

The business name was all thanks to Davenport’s wife, Mary. As the story goes, Mary came up with it when she spotted a crystal ball lawn ornament in a neighbor’s yard and noticed how pristine it was. Since Davenport and Sherrill wanted to open up a “crystal clean” restaurant, the idea stuck, and – after switching up the spelling a bit – the name Krystal was born.

Krystal opened on October 24, 1932, at the corner of Seventh and Cherry Streets in a 25-by 10-foot building. The first ever Krystal order was placed the very next day: six “Krystal” hamburgers and a cup of coffee, totaling 35 cents. These value meals instantly began attracting customers, especially during a time of national economic turmoil, and the restaurant quickly began to grow.

In less than a decade, Krystal had expanded to 33 locations across the Southeast. In 1952, it built a corporate headquarters at the site of its original location, and in 1956, opened its very first drive-thru restaurant.

 

 

 

Krystal opened one of its largest locations yet on Broad Street in 1966, seating 48 customers, and then moved into a new, larger headquarters on MLK Boulevard in 1979.

As the fast-food scene skyrocketed in the mid-20th century, Krystal worked to keep up with the competition by expanding its menus, implementing memorable marketing strategies, and introducing characters like the Krystal Kritters – a trio of animal mascots that represented the brand in the ‘70s. 

Its claim to fame, however, remains the classic Krystal slider: a square hamburger patty topped with diced onions, mustard, and a dill pickle slice, all sandwiched between a steamed bun. This winning recipe has gained many fans over the years, including big names like Elvis Presley, who handed out 100 sliders to fans in 1954, and President Ronald Reagan, whose staff ordered 120 burgers during a visit to the city in 1987.

In 2012, after 80 years of calling Chattanooga home, Krystal announced its move to Atlanta, Georgia, after being purchased by an Atlanta-based firm. However, the company’s local roots still run deep, with decades of Chattanooga history.

 

 

Krystal continues to expand today, with more than 250 restaurants across the U.S. In the more than 90 years since Krystal opened its doors, the chain has sold more than 10 billion Krystals – now that’s a lot of burgers!

With nine locations in Chattanooga and plenty more in surrounding cities like East Ridge, South Pittsburg, Cleveland, and across North Georgia, there’s a Krystal nearby for everyone in the area looking for a quick bite – including the oldest location still operating on Cherokee Boulevard. And with many locations open 24/7, Krystal is ready to serve up a hot hamburger no matter when hunger strikes.

So, next time you visit this beloved Southern fast-food brand, you can enjoy not just a delicious Krystal burger but nearly a century of Chattanooga history!

Hope this helps!

Hamilton Bush
Resident History Hound
Chattanooga, TN