(via comment) WDEF reports they have received a statement from Krystal announcing that no Krystal Square Off burger eating contest will take place in 2010. The Square Off had the largest payouts in competitive eating with total prizes of $50,000 for last year's contest.

August 18, 2010 at 10:48 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Krystal Square Off | Permalink * Comments (24)

24 Comments »

  1. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    August 18, 2010 @ 11:33 am

    In every aspect this was the greatest contest of Competitive Eating. The sponsor was generous paying out to the last eater at the finals. The people at Krystal were warm and welcoming to the eaters at all the Qualifiers. They tried very hard to understand our culture and listen to our suggestions for a great contest. They ran their contest fairly and made changes when they saw problems with the rules. Strong effort was put into the food in that it be consistent in preparation and presentation for all eaters at the table but also Qualifier to Qualifier.

    They were Creative in ways to improve the contest including Fantasy Eating, Live Webcasts and most recently adding new products to the line-up to take advantage of the Marketing opportunity.

    All of these things have gone a long way to make this my favorite contest. I especially appreciate that the food was good! Thank you Krystals for all your effort and wish you the best in the future. Also PLEASE bring a Krystal franchise to Philly!!!!!

  2. anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 11:47 am

    It was established that the contest was dead as far back as a few months ago. Do you need constant reassurance that it is over? Maybe we should hold a press conference on all the major tv networks to convince you of the fact

  3. Andrew Kossuth said (Registered May 17, 2009)

    August 18, 2010 @ 12:15 pm

    Agree with Steakbellie; Krystals would thrive in philly!

  4. anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 12:28 pm

    I cannot understand why for the past 80yrs the Krystal people never thought about branching out to the north. Maybe its a territory thing with White Castle who knows. Many northerners have never even heard of a Krystal burger and that my friends is not good.

  5. Ggjoee said

    August 18, 2010 @ 12:29 pm

    Word is they have sign with Wloce. Watch out for a come back world wide …….

  6. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 12:30 pm

    Reading the link, it seems that Krystals no longer franchises. So any new Krystals will be solely owned by them. As terrific as they were and may be in the future as far as eating contests go, it really still gets back to business and whatever direction the corporation chooses to take. Steakbellie may have to personally convince Krystals to open a Krystals in Phillie. He is just the right person to do this.

  7. nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)

    August 18, 2010 @ 12:32 pm

    Do they not have White Castle in Philly as a replacement?

  8. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    August 18, 2010 @ 12:33 pm

    I agree with your post Mega. The Krystal folks know how to treat people. I wish Krystals had a franchise in the DC metro area.

    I think at least a small part of the lack of a contest this year is related to Kobayashi not signing with the IFOCE. He’s Krystal’s champion. The timing of Koby’s elimination from MLE rankings and the release of the Krystal statement is a bit more than coincidence. It’s as if Krystal was waiting to see if Koby would re-sign before officially CANXing the Square-Off.

    It certainly must hurt Koby losing IFOCE affiliation, but it will hurt likely hurt the IFOCE and their eaters even more, at least for the next year.

    Knowing the IFOCE-Nathan’s connection, they’ll probably yank Koby’s image off the “Wall of Fame” if he doesn’t return to the finals next year. Then it will just be Joey in the center with all other eaters encircling and bowing down to him to pay homage, with the exception of Eater X and Legs, who will be depicted in the background, boarding a plan enroute to a media event.

    (I really don’t mean that last sentence, but I had to say it, because that’s what many think.) 🙂

  9. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 1:28 pm

    Nathan’s will probably enlarge the picture of Crazy Legs to cover Koby’s image. It will be so big you will be able to see the mushed hot dog buns in his gloves

  10. SuperPaulBBBBMBBBarlow said

    August 18, 2010 @ 1:35 pm

    I’d also like to thank Krystal for everything. They are easily the best sponsor CE has had, and the best friend to all the eaters. They have given me way more attention, and gifts then I deserve. However, this does not mean that I want them to stop giving me gifts, and attention. As I prepare to possibly, make that probably, finally retire from competitive eating, I’m still hoping to make the Krystal Hall of Fame.
    Now I’m really maaad about this economy. I could take getting laid off twice, having all my potential customers reject my advertising ideas (cause they have no money), watching my kid’s college disapeer, but cancelling the Krystal Square Off? What’s the world coming to????

  11. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    August 18, 2010 @ 1:37 pm

    Mega-Steakbellie?

  12. anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

    Rhonda as long as you insist on paying homage to Legs & Eater X whenever those names pop up , many are going to equate you with either Rich Shea or Rona Conti

  13. A. Nonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 2:01 pm

    No White Castles on the East side of Pennsylvania. You need to drive to Howell, NJ to get them.

  14. nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)

    August 18, 2010 @ 2:07 pm

    Paul go out with guns blazing , 2010 Aug 21 Hot Dog Eating Contest East Cobb Market Marietta, GA , but disguise yourself as that overall guy.

  15. SuperPaulBBBBMBBBarlow said

    August 18, 2010 @ 2:44 pm

    I’d rather buy BP gas than disguise myself as Coonskinhead….and I won’t buy BP gas. Maybe I’ll disguise myself as Bubba, or even better, Larry!

  16. nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)

    August 18, 2010 @ 3:46 pm

    It would be funny if you went as the Easter Bunny. But that is what I was going as though.

  17. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    August 18, 2010 @ 3:56 pm

    I am Rich Shea. And if Legs ever leaves the IFOCE, I’ll jump off the Brooklyn Bridge.

  18. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

    IFOCE will fold once legs retires

  19. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 4:26 pm

    No Rhonda, you are Tim Janus.

  20. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2010 @ 5:00 pm

    like I said after Nathan’s, July 4th is the day the IFOCE died… Joey getting media events, all the major sponsors the IFOCE has lost over the years. Waffle house, Krystals, wienerschnitzel, etc, the lock hold on their eaters, indy events offering bigger prizes cuz they don’t want to have to shell out $5k to the IFOCE plus tabbles and a DJ (So the sponsor is $7k in before they even come up with prize money for the eaters)… the tides are shifting and CE will be all indy events and all eaters will be Indy as it should be!

  21. Andrew Kossuth said (Registered May 17, 2009)

    August 18, 2010 @ 5:03 pm

    Total lack of a hamburger slider market in philadelphia. Takes about an hour to get to Howell and yes I have made that drive just for white castle.

  22. Gentleman Joe said (Registered December 8, 2005)

    August 18, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

    I’ve heard the minimum is 10 G’s now. Not counting prize $$$, etc.

  23. ANONYMOUS said

    August 18, 2010 @ 10:59 pm

    ANDREW & KUMAR….lol

  24. Andrew Kossuth said (Registered May 17, 2009)

    August 19, 2010 @ 8:39 am

    ANONYMOUS 10:59pm: That has a nice ring to it

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