The Krystal Company is partnering with veteran franchisees Anand “Andy” Patel and Kalpesh “Junior” Das of Slider Joint, LLC to bring Krystal back to Jonesboro, Arkansas. Adding franchisees and expanding territory are key elements of Krystal’s revitalization plan unveiled by CEO Paul Macaluso when he joined the company in 2018.
Krystal’s newest franchisees, Patel and Das already own and operate seven other restaurants in the Jonesboro market.
“We’re delighted to welcome Andy and Junior to the Krystal family,” says Macaluso. “Their depth and breadth of QSR experience combined with their established presence in the Jonesboro market make them ideal partners to build the Krystal brand in Arkansas.”
Patel and Das, who have a combined 49 years of restaurant experience, are leveraging their nearly 20-year relationship with Jonesboro-based Haag Brown Commercial Real Estate and Development to select the location for the new, state-of-the-art Krystal restaurant, which is scheduled to open in early 2020.
Architecturally, the restaurant will feature an expanded kitchen and facilities layout that maximizes efficiency and employee awareness. Design elements will include a vibrant color package highlighting the Krystal name in red, a heritage color for the brand, as well as local community graphics. The new prototype will be square like Krystal’s famous burgers and is expected to add 75 jobs in Jonesboro.
“Krystal has the potential to turn the little square burger into a disruption in the QSR industry. The brand is iconic and nostalgic,” says Patel, who recalls late-night snack runs and lunch cravings for warm Krystal Chiks with pickles, extra mayo, and Tabasco sauce. “What can we say? We love Krystals.”
The Jonesboro location will be Krystal’s second restaurant in Arkansas, in addition to its West Memphis store. The previous Jonesboro location closed in 2002.
