Franchising

Krystal expands Tennessee footprint

Photo: Krystal

August 21, 2024

Slider brand Krystal has opened a restaurant in East Chattanooga, Tennessee. The restaurant is under the helm of WAC Enterprises, which has 93 Krystal locations now, according to a press release.

WAC Enterprises most recently opened a restaurant in Arab, Alabama, where the store set a new single-store sales record for the brand.

"Our success in Arab revealed just how much people love Krystal, and we're looking forward to continuing that same momentum to serve more loyal guests and create new fans in Chattanooga," John Jones, franchisee and partner at WAC Enterprises, said in the press release.

WAC Enterprises, led by Jones along with Wayne and Carole Hale, has been a key player in Krystal's franchise network. As Krystal's first and largest franchisee, WAC has been instrumental in shaping the brand's growth and expanding its reach across the South. Their latest milestone opening in Chattanooga further enhances Krystal's footprint in Tennessee and WAC's portfolio. The group has recently acquired corporate locations in addition to eight other existing locations earlier this month. They have four additional locations in development and a total of 16 more locations to be built.

"We're proud to see WAC Enterprises leading the way in our expansion efforts," Kristen Hohl, SPB Hospitality's senior vice president of marketing, said in the press release. "Their commitment to bringing Krystal's delicious, one-of-a-kind sliders to more communities is evident with each new opening. This new location in Chattanooga is an exciting step forward in sharing what makes Krystal special with even more Kraving fans."

The opening comes on the heels of the brand planning accelerated growth in the U.S.

Krystal has nearly 300 restaurants in 10 states.