( ENSPIRE Business ) Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey and Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey Become Franchisees of Iconic Southern Krystal Restaurants
ENSPIRE Contributor: Melissa Santiago-Rivera
Multimedia mogul, Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” Mckelvey along with wife and business partner, Jessica Gadsden-Mckelvey can now add franchise owners to their resumes. In recent announcements, the couple proclaims their new status as franchisees of Krystal restaurants. Expected to open six grand Charleston locations beginning early 2023, Charlamagne’s and Jessica’s hometown of Moncks Corner, SC is said to launch the first branch of the chain on November 11, 2022. Each Krystal Restaurant location will be co-branded by Krystal and Charlamagne Tha God, making it a unique dining experience.
It’s no doubt that this is a big win for the love birds but the prize of victory is shared. With headquarters in Atlanta, GA, Krystal Restaurants LLC is easily the original quick-service restaurant chain in the South; Serving nearly 550,000 Krystal burgers each day and has sold over 10 billion burgers since inception, fresh Krystal hamburgers continue to be served on its iconic square buns since 1932. Krystal is in 10 states with nearly 300 restaurants and is expanding with goals to reach 500 stores within the next five years. High-quality ingredients aren’t all Krystal Restaurant has a taste for, it would appear that the top-tier chain can’t beat the craving to partner with some high-quality people.
“The Krystal restaurant brand is known for bringing quality ingredients and creativity to customers and we are proud to be franchise owners and even prouder to be providing jobs for our folks by investing in our home state,” said Charlamagne Tha God and Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey.
“Authenticity and a sense of community are important characteristics that we look for in our partnerships. Both Charlamagne and Jessica embody these qualities & we’re ecstatic to bring Krystal to the greater Charleston area and expand our footprint nationally. We want the Krystal brand to continue to be part of the culture and fabric of the communities we serve and we look forward to doing so in our own unique Southern style with a bit of swag.” said Jonathan Childs, Managing Partner, Krystal Restaurants.
We couldn’t agree more with Childs’s impression of the trending couple. The two individuals are known for their separate community contributions and their unity. For nearly two decades Charlamagne Tha God was at the pulse of culture on TV and Radio, serving many roles as co-host of the breakfast club. paving his way through the entertainment business, he hosts Comedy Central’s Hell Of A Week with Charlamagne Tha God, a late-night show he co-created with Stephen Colbert, as well as working in the executive production of many television and film projects. Rising up to his God-like potential, Tha God marked his place in the Radio Hall of Fame and holds the title of New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Mental Wealth Alliance.
Let’s not sleep on his queen though, an incredibly accomplished Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey is an entrepreneur, investor, and personal trainer. Jessica attended the University of South Carolina earning a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in Business. Furthering her education, Jessica achieved a Master of Business Administration from Webster University. and let’s not forget her greatest accomplishment of all, being a mother of four.
With strong individuals like Charlamagne and Jessica, it’s no wonder Krystal restaurant is ready to seal the deal with this hashtag power couple. Besides great food, Krystal is also experienced and so Charlamagne and Jessica will work with a team to design the restaurants. The iconic QSR has 90 years of history. Charlamagne and Jessica join Victor Cruz and Two Chainz as Krystal franchise owners and we can hardly wait. Here at ENSPIRE, we’re all about making things happen for the community. All hale Charlamagne Tha God and his Queen Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey on their riches of Krystal’s.
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