Krystal Celebrates Opening of First Location in Tyler

Iconic Southern brand kicks off a new era of growth with strategic expansion into high-traffic, non-traditional spaces

Tyler, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  Krystal, the original home of the slider in the South, is officially back in Texas with the opening of its first travel center location at the EZ Travel Center at 16151 Highway 31 West in Tyler. This 24/7 restaurant marks a key milestone in Krystal’s strategy to expand beyond traditional stand-alone stores into high-traffic, convenience-driven formats.

“We’re excited to continue expanding our reach, as well as the way we meet our guests,” said Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality, parent company of Krystal.  “Our focus remains on creating convenient, memorable experiences and we’re proud to meet our guests where they are – on the road, in their communities and in the everyday moments that matter.”

Krystal’s growth strategy centers on nontraditional formats — including convenience stores, travel centers and airports — designed to meet the growing demand for fast, flexible dining in spaces where convenience and volume go hand-in-hand. The Tyler location is an early example of this approach, positioning Krystal to serve everyone from truck drivers and road trippers to busy locals.

“We’ll continue to grow with traditional freestanding restaurants, but formats like travel centers and other high-traffic hubs allow us to complement that approach with more flexibility, greater efficiency and better alignment with how today’s consumers live and move,” added Kern.

The new Krystal is located at a full-service travel plaza in West Tyler, offering eight diesel fueling lanes and easy access to major traffic routes. Guests can enjoy Krystal’s full menu of fan favorites — including sliders, chili cheese pups, fries, shakes and more — served fast and hot, any time of day.

The restaurant is operated by Highway 31 Foodservice, led by seasoned franchise operators with a track record of success across multiple quick-service concepts in Texas and Oklahoma. The Tyler store is their first Krystal, with additional locations already in sight.

“Krystal is an iconic brand with nearly a century of Southern heritage and serious momentum behind it. We see enormous potential in bringing Krystal to formats like this travel center,” said Jagtar Thethy (“Jag”), who leads Highway 31 Foodservice. “We’re optimistic about what’s ahead and seeing where this momentum takes us.”

The opening comes at a time of renewed energy and focus for Krystal. Under SPB Hospitality’s ownership, the brand is investing in innovative buildouts, enhanced operations and lower-cost franchising models that offer operators more flexibility and stronger unit economics.

For more information or to find your nearest location, visit Krystal.com.

Join the Krystal Franchise Family

Interested in franchising with Krystal? Contact Tom Petska at thomas.petska@spbhospitality.com or call 770.616.9070 for more information.

About Krystal Restaurants LLC

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Krystal Restaurants LLC is the original quick-service restaurant chain in the South. Krystal hamburgers have been served fresh and hot off the grill on the iconic square bun since 1932. The company proudly sticks to the classics, but they’ve never been afraid to innovate. Krystal has expanded to 11 states with nearly 300 restaurants and continues to deliver a one-of-a-kind taste experience through unique menu items offered at a great price. In 2023, USA Today readers named Krystal the “Best Late-Night Fast Food,” and in 2022, research and consulting firm Technomic ranked Krystal as one of the “Most Craveable Burgers.”

Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom Celebrates Great Falls Opening

Famous pizza and taproom commemorated its grand opening with ribbon-cutting, giveaway and local charity support

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (April 14, 2025) — Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom has officially opened its doors and is now serving its scratch-made pizza, local and legendary craft beer, and fan-favorite casual eats in The Electric City.

The festivities kicked off this morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where the first 100 guests in line received FREE Old Chicago for a year. To further commemorate the opening with Great Falls residents, the brand partnered with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, raising funds to support local youth through pre-opening events.

“We’ve been eagerly awaiting this expansion into Great Falls — bringing our signature Old Chicago experience to this incredible community,” said SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to grow with our most successful franchise partner, Johnson Restaurant Group, and look forward to welcoming guests with great food and a robust craft beer selection.”

The new restaurant boasts a full dining room with cozy booths, flexible seating, a stocked bar with multiple TVs and a spacious outdoor patio perfect for any gathering. Whether guests are catching a game at the bar or planning a catered event, Old Chicago offers options for every occasion, including online ordering, delivery and party packages.

“Opening Old Chicago in Great Falls is an exciting milestone for our team and a natural next step as we look to grow our presence across the region,” said John Johnson, CEO of Johnson Restaurant Group. “We look forward to becoming a part of this community, bringing people together over great food and drinks while contributing to the future of local youth through our partnership with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.”

Old Chicago Great Falls is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, offering its popular menu items like Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls, Italian Nachos and scratch-made pizza and pastas. Weekday lunch specials start at $9.99. Guests can enjoy happy hour and late night deals on appetizers and drinks from 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close. Guests can also join OC Rewards on the Old Chicago app for free to earn points for every dollar spent, get a free pizza on your birthday and enjoy surprise rewards. There’s also an attached casino for those looking for a little extra fun.

The Great Falls location is run by General Manager Samantha Stefani, with Brice Hanna as Bar Manager, Jennifer Westcott as Service Manager, and Mario Bullchild as Kitchen Manager. 

This opening also marks the brand’s fourth location in Montana. For more information about Old Chicago and to find a nearby location, visit oldchicago.com. Download the Old Chicago OC Rewards app for exclusive rewards and offers.

About Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is a leader in the casual dining restaurant segment, specializing in the best local and regional craft beer, serving handcrafted pizza and distinctive taproom fare. Founded in 1976, the craveable Old Chicago menu complements the brand’s vast craft beer selection, a concept differentiator to this day. With over 30 craft beers on tap, Old Chicago is also the home of the World Beer Tour, which rewards members for enjoying 110 of the best craft beers from across the globe. Old Chicago operates in 22 states with more than 55 restaurants nationwide. For more information visit oldchicago.com.

Logan’s Roadhouse Offers Gifts for Moms, Dads and Grads – That They’ll Actually Want 

Roll into spring with gift card promotion and bonus perks for the season’s top gifting moments

HOUSTON (April 14, 2025) – Spring is full of gift-giving moments – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and more. During this season, including Teacher Appreciation and Nurses Week, Logan’s Roadhouse makes celebrating easier and tastier. From April 14 through June 15, guests who buy $50 in Logan’s Roadhouse gift cards will receive a $10 bonus card, redeemable in-restaurant through July 31, 2025.

Whether for the graduate wrapping up finals, the teacher who made a difference, or the parent who keeps everything running, Logan’s spring gift card promotion hits the mark for every appetite and occasion. Easy to give and even easier to enjoy, Logan’s gift cards are available in-restaurant or online and can be used for dine-in or takeout, making them a go-to pick for anyone looking to give the gift of mesquite-grilled favorites, made-from-scratch rolls and good times around the table. As an added thank you, teachers and nurses can enjoy 20% off an entrée with a valid ID, May 5 to 12 during Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurses Week.

“This time of year brings back-to-back reasons to celebrate the people who matter most,” said Shawn Van Winkle, Senior Director of Marketing for Logan’s Roadhouse. “A Logan’s gift card takes the guesswork out of gifting and brings comfort, flavor and value to the table. With our bonus card offer, there’s something in it for the gift giver, too — you can keep the $10 bonus or pass it along. We’re also proud to show our appreciation for teachers and nurses with a special offer during their dedicated week of recognition.”

Logan’s guests can also score double the rewards during two special promotional windows. Online only from April 29 to May 5 and again from June 3 to 9, when guests purchase online orders of $50 in gift cards they will earn two $10 bonus cards — a limited-time perk for early and last-minute shoppers alike.

Why Digital Gift Cards Matter More This Year

According to the 2024 Paytronix Gift Card Trend Report, digital gift cards now account for more than a third of all gift card purchases and are the fastest-growing segment in the category. Not only are these cards convenient, they’re also redeemed nearly twice as fast as physical cards, helping drive guest traffic and satisfaction. Logan’s digital gift cards are easy to buy, send and use, with seamless integration into the Logan’s Rewards program and online ordering platform, providing a streamlined experience from purchase to plate. 

How to Get Yours

Logan’s Roadhouse gift cards and bonus card offers are available at participating locations* nationwide and online at LogansRoadhouse.com/gift-cards. Bonus cards are redeemable from April 15 through July 31, 2025, and cannot be used the same day they are issued.

To find a location or learn more, visit LogansRoadhouse.com/locations and follow Logan’s Roadhouse on social media for seasonal specials and updates. 

*The spring gift card offer is not available and gift card cards are not redeemable in North Carolina, South Carolina, California and Augusta, GA.

About Logan’s Roadhouse

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Logan’s Roadhouse is a leading steakhouse – and The Original Roadhouse – renowned for its mesquite wood-fired grilled steaks, signature yeast rolls and Southern-inspired dishes. With 125 locations across the United States, Logan’s offers a welcoming atmosphere and a menu of hearty, delicious meals. For 33 years, the brand has been dedicated to delivering warm hospitality and supporting communities through various charitable initiatives. For more information, visit logansroadhouse.com and follow Logan’s Roadhouse on Facebook, X and Instagram.