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Krystal Leaves Behind Legacy In Chattanooga

602 views · Published 5 October 2012 · 2:50 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Karen Zatkulak  Chattanoogan's are saying good-bye to their hometown hamburger.  On Wednesday, Krystal CEO Doug Pendergast announced he's moving company headquarters to Atlanta.  This, despite an earlier commitment to keep it here, in it's birthplace.     The first Krystal opened in 1932.  Since then, many more locations have popped up, offering the small square burgers.  But for many, Krystal gave more to the city than just finances -- memories of popular hometown burger joint.Bob McAllester sits inside the Cherry Street Diner during lunch.  It's a building he's been visiting for 80 years, ever since it opened as the first Krystal when he was just a kid.  "Sunday night after church, I would ride over with my sister and pick up a Krystal here."Thursday, we showed him the photograph of the building back in 1932.  That's when the Davenport's opened the now fast food phenomenon, and the burgers were just five cents.  "Times were hard in the thirties, before the war, and so a nickel a hamburger was good food those days."As McAllester eats his meal, he remembers the beginning of the Krystal legacy.  He says it was always a good meal at an extremely good price.  "It always did good business, first class place."A first class business that boomed, not only in Chattanooga, but became a sensation throughout the southeast as well.  To see their headquarters move south to Atlanta, is hard for people like McAllester, who've watched them grow.  "I think it's bad for Chattanooga, losing jobs and everything else."But one thing that will stay, besides the steamy sackful, is the legacy the restaurant chain leaves behind.  Owner of Cherry Street Diner Walter Lanuza says, "All the time older clients come in and say my dad used to come in here all the time, we sit at this counter, it was a huge treat for them."

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