News

Krystal puts some fire under 'Chik's' feet

Photo: Provided.

September 24, 2019

On Monday, the Krystal Company is rolling out Nashville Hot Chik as both a stand-alone menu item and as part of Krystal's Pick 5 for $5.55 promotion. The LTO is features a lightly battered and fried chicken breast surrounded with a blend of cayenne, smoked paprika and brown sugar, then topped with mayo and a pickle slice on the brand's square steamed bun, the news release said. 

"Our original Krystal Chik is a perennial fan favorite, so spicy line extensions make perfect sense, and Nashville Hot has performed well for us in test markets," Krystal President and CEO Paul Macaluso said in the release. 

The company said that although 80% of its non-breakfast orders include Krystal burgers, LTOs allow the chain to expand on the burger's flavor profile and attract new customers, since they increase the average transaction totals by as much as 40%, according to Macaluso. 

Previous noteworthy Southern menu items include a country-fried steak Krystal, tabasco Krystal, lemon ice box pie shake and banana pudding shake. Krystal introduced pimento cheese bites and frozen lemonhead slushies made with real lemonhead candies as part of a limited-time summer menu. Maple bourbon shakes were available during the holiday season, and there are plans in the works for another seasonal shake.