Krystal is a fast food icon founded in Chattanooga during the Great Depression that now spans the Southeast. On January 28, the Krystal Company presented the College of Business with a collection of artifacts from Krystal’s history to inform and inspire UTC students. Krystal also endowed two scholarships for UTC business students.
“The third floor of Fletcher Hall is dedicated to the entrepreneurial spirit of Chattanooga and it is our mission to help our students pursue their ambitions through academic and scholarship opportunities,” said Dr. Robert Dooley, Dean of the College of Business. “We hope that celebrating the scholars and unveiling this display will bring greater awareness of the wonderful opportunities offered to our students and help them learn more about the history of entrepreneurship in Chattanooga.”
The exhibit features examples of branding and marketing materials created by the Krystal Company from its founding in 1932 until the early 2000s. Items in the College of Business display include photographs, original packaging featuring the Krystal logo, premium items, marketing materials, and Krystal uniforms. The items are just a small sample of Krystal memorabilia and documents which were donated to the UTC Library’s Special Collections area.
“The Krystal Company donated the collection to preserve the history of one of the nation’s first fast food restaurants which was founded in Chattanooga in 1932,” said Katrina Craven, Director of Marketing and Communications in the College of Business. “Not only is it a great story of entrepreneurship, but the Krystal brand is an ongoing example of how brands and marketing evolve over time. The display in the College of Business is a great way to share that story with students.”
Krystal also endowed two scholarships for UTC business students in the Marketing/Entrepreneurship department which will provide financial assistance to many students over the coming years.
The inaugural recipients include A.J. Davis, a senior and President of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, and Heidi Foster, who pitched her entrepreneurial idea for a music management company for midsized cities in last year’s Elevator Pitch Competition and who is now pursuing that dream.
Anyone interested in seeing the collection of Krystal artifacts may view them on display on the third floor of Fletcher Hall. Additional artifacts may be viewed in the UTC Library’s Special Collections.
I am so proud of AJ! He is such a deserving candidate!