Back Yard Burgers serves last burger

By Staff
LUNCH BREAK When Josh Webb, left, and Jonathan Cranford ate at Back Yard Burgers on Tuesday, they didn't realize it would be their last visit. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 1, 2002
Construction could begin next week on a new 24-hour Krystal restaurant on Highway 11/80 near Interstate 20/59 at the site of another fast-food restaurant that closed Tuesday.
Workers at Back Yard Burgers served their last burger Tuesday night and began cleaning out the store early today.
Mike Myers, president and chief operating officer of Back Yard Burgers in Memphis, said franchise owner Richard Wilbourn of Meridian decided months ago to close the store.
Myers said that Wilbourn "runs a few hotels and other things in Meridian, and it is my understanding that he just wanted to focus more on that. He just told us that he was getting out of the restaurant business."
Wilbourn could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Myers said Wilbourn is leasing the Back Yard Burgers restaurant building to Glenn Brown, owner of Krystal on Highway 19 North. Brown said he hopes to open the new Krystal in about two months.
The Krystal on Highway 19 North will remain open; the new store will be open around-the-clock and offer customers a place to sit and eat. Brown said he plans to hire 53 employees at the new store.
Customers eating at Back Yard Burgers on Tuesday afternoon said they were sad to see the store close.
Even though the restaurant is closing, Myers said, Back Yard Burgers' corporate headquarters in Memphis was happy with the results in Meridian.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x