Krystal, famous for its iconic square hamburgers, announced that it will donate puppet versions of its classic Krystal foods to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to the art of puppetry in the country and has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and magic of puppetry through performances, curriculum-based workshops, and interactive installations in its Worlds of Puppetry Museum. The Museum features the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and props in the world and will soon be home to a special area designated to the Krystal puppets.
The Krystal puppets were created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop in support of The Krystal Company’s 2016 “Shun the Ho-Hum” advertising campaign. The campaign featured playful puppet versions of the classic Krystal, Krystal Chik, Krystal fries and the Country-fried Krystal.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our Krystal puppets will continue to entertain millions of children and adults from all over the world for years to come,” says Heather Schlesinger, Director of Calendar, Program and Promotions at The Krystal Company. “We believe that our brand values are well-aligned as both of our organizations support ongoing education for school-age children designed to fuel their imagination.”
The donation fits in with the mission of the Krystal Foundation, which was established to provide much-needed funding for educational enrichment programs such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education, music and the performing arts, culinary instruction, and various sports programs.
“The Krystal puppets are truly an exciting addition to the Center. They showcase the power of puppets in our pop culture. Jim Henson’s career actually has its roots in advertising, so these puppets are a powerful reminder how the art of puppetry continues to spark the imagination and engage people of all ages. We look forward to collaborating with Krystal to get the word out that these puppets are right here in Atlanta … along with the Atlanta-based company that brought them to life,” says Vincent Anthony, The Barbara and Billy Wylly Executive Director for the Center for Puppetry Arts. “Our goal is to educate and enrich the world through the art of puppetry. We believe that highlighting figures like the Krystal puppets is a great door into the world of puppetry.”
Visitors to the Center for Puppetry Arts will be able to see the Krystal Puppets on display next summer.