Houston — SPB Hospitality, an industry-leading operator and franchisor of restaurants spanning a national footprint, has appointed Josh Kern as chief executive officer. He was named interim CEO in August of 2022. SPB Hospitality encompasses a wide array of brands in the casual, fast-casual, quick-service and fine dining categories, as well as bars and breweries. Kern steered the company’s merger with Krystal, the original quick-service slider concept in the South. Furthermore, he has blended the companies while streamlining costs and launched the first major refranchising effort for the Krystal brand. …
Krystal Restaurants
Atlanta — Krystal Restaurants LLC, the original home of the slider in the South, has hired seasoned restaurant and hospitality leader Jermaine Walker is its new vice president of operations. The legacy brand has been undergoing aggressive growth plans, having opened its first international location last year and continues on this trajectory with a new restaurant that opened in Alabama last month and more on the way. “I am honored to join Krystal and be part of their expansion efforts,” says Walker. “I’ve spent my career supporting companies in their …
Atlanta — Krystal unveiled its much anticipated smaller prototype at its new company location in Center Point, Ala., on January 10. The 1,700-square-foot drive-thru features the first company store opening in more than 6 years with an advanced, sleek design using a smaller footprint. There is no dining room in the new prototype. Whereas a traditional Krystal is 2,700 square feet, this prototype uses 20% less kitchen space — making it both cost-efficient and operationally strategic. Without a dining room, the design makes it convenient for hungry guests with its …