Project Use Type: Restaurant, Quick Service (QSR)
Client: Krystal Restaurants LLC
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Property Size: ~0.5 Acres
Building Square Footage: 1,788 SF

Services Provided:
– Infrastructure Planning Management
– Foundational Utility Sketches
– Multi-disciplinary Team Coordination
– Jurisdictional Verification Services
– Precise ADA Design

Unique Solution:
 Maximized geometric density on a constrained 0.5-acre pad by integrating a high-volume double drive-thru prototype that utilized 20% less kitchen space while increasing service capacity.

Case Study: Serving Success: A Modern Prototype for Krystal in Tuscaloosa

Context & Services

For Krystal Restaurants LLC, we served as the civil engineering and infrastructure planning partner for their “As-Built” redevelopment in Tuscaloosa. Located on a constrained .5-acre pad along the high-traffic McFarland Blvd. corridor, this 1,788 SF project utilized Krystal’s sleeker, cost-efficient prototype. Our scope of work included utility sketches, multi-disciplinary coordination with architectural and MEP teams, and jurisdictional verification to ensure seamless municipal approvals.

The Unique Solution

The primary challenge involved maximizing geometric density on a tight footprint while accommodating a double drive-thru lane designed for high-volume University of Alabama traffic. We anticipated the need for high-resolution site circulation analysis early, ensuring the drive-thru stacking did not interfere with customer access or local traffic flow.

By delivering precise ADA design and route criteria, we navigated the site’s narrow tolerances, protecting the developer from expensive field rebuilds. Our team acted as a dedicated advocate during pre-application meetings, managing the LDP and building permit timelines to mitigate the financial burn of carrying costs during municipal reviews. This proactive management of interdisciplinary clashes, specifically aligning grease interceptor design with dense kitchen requirements, ensured a technical win that stayed true to the client’s operational goals.

Success & Impact

The result is a modernized, operationally strategic facility that achieved a faster speed-to-market for the brand.

  • Efficiency: The 1,788 SF design uses 20% less kitchen space than traditional models while increasing drive-thru capacity.
  • Growth: This project provides a scalable template for Krystal’s regional expansion.