Krystal Now Serving Wireless and Cashless Convenience at All Company-Owned Restaurants; Krystal Restaurants in Ten States Now Accept Payment By Credit or Debit Card and Offer Free Wi-Fi Internet Access.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Whether you are cashless in line or want to go wireless at mealtime, fast food icon Krystal is serving up big convenience with its signature big taste food just for you. Announced today, all 243 of Krystal's company-owned restaurants now accept payment by credit and debit card and are also official "Krystal HotSpots," offering free Wi-Fi Internet access to guests. Many of Krystal's 180-plus franchise-operated locations also now offer the convenience of cashless payment and Wi-Fi access, with more to come.

"Krystal is committed to improving the customer experience and catering to their active lifestyles with increased convenience and speed of service. We're delivering on this by giving our customers payment choices, including the convenient option of paying with plastic, and we're also making it simple for customers to connect to the Internet without any hassles or fees," said Fred Exum, chief executive officer, The Krystal Company.

Happiness is a Krystal and Free Internet

Since launching its first "Krystal HotSpot" in early 2003, Krystal has been one of the restaurant industry's pioneers in providing free wireless Internet access, and with today's announcement, Krystal is now the largest provider of free Wi-Fi of any fast food chain nationwide and the only chain that has extended Wi-Fi access to all company-owned locations.

"Krystal is committed to providing our customers a place to connect online for free when they are away from their homes and offices. While other restaurant chains and businesses see Wi-Fi as an additional revenue source, Krystal views it as an added convenience for our customers, and they're returning the favor with their loyalty and patronage," said Exum.

For the Wi-Fi equipped, the Krystal HotSpot is as simple as it gets: no special configurations necessary, no user name and password to enter, and best of all, no payments to deal with in order to go online. Krystal HotSpots use a broadband Internet connection that allows up to 32 users at one time to access the 802.11b hot spot, and all users have to do to gain access is search for "Krystal Hotspot" in the Service Set Identifier (SSID). In keeping with Krystal's long-standing tradition of being a "family-friendly" environment, steps have been taken to block certain types of potentially objectionable material.

All Krystal HotSpot restaurants are listed on www.krystal.com. Krystal customers can also identify participating restaurants by Krystal HotSpot window decals and in-store signage that displays the international warchalk symbol for wireless hot spots, )(, enhanced with a bit of Krystal flavor and fun.

Paper or Plastic?

Krystal knows its customers love having choices, even when it's a hard one like whether to order a Krystal Hamburger, Krystal Chik or a Chili Cheese Pup. And just as the new Krystal Sampler Combo, featuring all three items, has made that choice an easier one, Krystal is making the choice of how customers pay for their Sampler Combo or any Krystal order easier than ever. With its new cashless payment option, customers can now pay with plastic rather than cash; all it takes is the quick swipe of any major credit or debit card at the counter or drive-thru window, and for most transactions, customers are not required to sign the receipt. With the high-speed connection the cashless payment system uses and no need to sign a receipt, the average cashless transaction is much faster than paying with cash.

"In today's fast-paced world, customers not only appreciate but have come to expect the convenience of cashless payment options," said Exum. "Some people prefer not to carry cash, others don't want to waste time going to an ATM or they are trying to earn perks, like frequent flyer miles, that come with card purchases. No matter the reason, our customers now have the freedom to pay with a credit or debit card, and we know that's something they're happy about."

All participating Krystal restaurants accepting cashless payment will feature accepted brand payment methods at the registers and drive-thrus to notify customers of their cashless payment options.

The Krystal Company

Founded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand - and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents - has taken a prominent place in the South's cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 420 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.krystal.com.