Krystal completes ‘scrape and rebuild’ project in Lakeland with their new prototypical restaurant
The Krystal Company announces the reopening of the Krystal restaurant located at 730 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland, Florida after a complete “scrape and rebuild” that razed the existing building and replaced it with a new prototype. The redesigned restaurant is the first of its kind in Florida and reopened for business Monday, April 1 with a grand reopening planned for May 2. The project temporarily relocated existing employees to other Krystal locations and utilized local contractors for construction. The original restaurant opened in 1973 and is part of Lakeland’s Downtown District.
Krystal restaurant in Lakeland, Fla. photo courtesy of Krystal
“We made the conscious decision to remain and rebuild on this site because of Krystal’s commitment to the Lakeland community,” said Paul Macaluso, Krystal president and CEO. “As a Florida native, I’m particularly proud of this new restaurant and looking forward to more redesigns in the Sunshine State.”
The redesign is part of a strategic initiative to improve the dining experience for guests and adapt to changes in consumer behavior, according to Macaluso, who says Krystal is experiencing more drive-thru business, especially for late-night and breakfast. The Lakeland store is the latest version of the “Iconic Series” prototype with additional grill capacity and double drive-thru lanes to serve higher volumes at a faster pace.
Architecturally, the restaurant features an expanded kitchen and facilities layout that maximize efficiency and employee awareness. Design elements include a vibrant color package highlighting the Krystal name in red, a heritage color for the brand, as well as local community graphics. The Lakeland prototype is square like Krystal’s famous burgers and was repositioned on its corner parcel of land to facilitate parking and streamline drive-thru traffic. A seasoned crew team that has serviced this market in the past is returning to the restaurant.
Florida is home to 47 Krystal restaurants, out of more than 350 across the Southeast (including franchises). Recently redesigned stores in other markets are consistently generating sustained sales lifts of 60-70 percent with average staffing increases of 66 percent. Macaluso expects comparable results in Lakeland. Forty percent of Krystal restaurants are over 40 years old. The company will redesign 75-100 restaurants over the next five years, representing approximately 40 percent of Krystal’s corporate portfolio.
Macaluso recently announced that Krystal has generated positive same-store sales year to date, reversing a 33-month period of declining sales and profits.
About The Krystal Company Founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1932, The Krystal Company is the original quick-service restaurant chain in the South. Its hamburgers are still served fresh and hot off the grill on the iconic square bun at over 350 restaurants in 11 states. Krystal’s Atlanta-based Restaurant Support Center serves a team of 7,500 employees. For more information, visit krystal.com.
