American fast food restaurant chain Krystal has launched its first travel centre location at the EZ Travel Centre in Tyler, in the US state of Texas.

Situated at a full-service travel plaza in West Tyler, the new Krystal offers easy access to major routes and features eight diesel-fuelling lanes.

The 24/7 restaurant is located in a high-traffic area, part of a growth strategy increasingly focused on nontraditional formats such as convenience stores, travel centres and airports.

The menu features fan favourites such as sliders and chili cheese pups [mini hotdogs].

Josh Kern, CEO of Krystal parent company SPB Hospitality, stated: “We’re excited to continue expanding our reach, as well as the way we meet our guests. 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.

 “We’ll continue to grow with traditional freestanding restaurants, but formats like travel centres 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.”

Operated by Highway 31 Foodservice, the Tyler Krystal is managed by experienced franchisees. This is their first Krystal venture, with plans for more locations already underway.

Highway 31 Foodservice leader Jagtar Thethy added: “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 centre. We’re optimistic about what’s ahead and seeing where this momentum takes us.”

In early 2025, Krystal Restaurants re-introduced the Hangover Krystal slider, a menu item aimed at providing comfort to customers after New Year's Eve celebrations.