Krusty Krab
The finest eating establishment ever established for eating.
NickRewind · via Wikipedia: Krusty Krab · CC BY 3.0
The Krusty Krab is a fictional fast-food restaurant from the American animated series *SpongeBob SquarePants*. It is best known for its signature sandwich, the Krabby Patty, whose recipe is a tightly kept trade secret. Eugene H. Krabs, commonly called Mr. Krabs, founded the establishment and serves as its owner and manager. The restaurant is a central location in the show, first appearing in the pilot episode "Help Wanted," and it features in over 80% of episodes as of 2018. Mr. Krabs plans for his daughter, Pearl, to inherit the Krusty Krab when she is older, as noted in *The SpongeBob Musical*. The only full-time staff are SpongeBob SquarePants, who works as the fry cook, and Squidward Tentacles, the cashier. Described as "the finest eating establishment ever established for eating" in Bikini Bottom, the Krusty Krab faces constant competition from the Chum Bucket, run by Sheldon J. Plankton, a plankton, and his wife Karen, a waterproof supercomputer. The restaurant has appeared in other media, including theatrical films, a Broadway musical, video games, and toys, and has been referenced or parodied in popular culture, even inspiring real-world restaurants.
Quick Facts
- Series
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- First
- "Help Wanted" (1999)
- Creator
- Stephen Hillenburg
- Owner
- Eugene Krabs
- Location
- Bikini Bottom
- Employees
- Eugene Krabs (manager) / SpongeBob SquarePants (fry cook) / Squidward Tentacles (cashier)
- Products
- Krabby Patties
- Slogan
- "Come Spend Your Money Here!"
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Krusty Krab was inspired by series creator Stephen Hillenburg's time as a fry cook and lobster boiler at a fast-food seafood restaurant. Hillenburg originally spelled the restaurant's name as 'Crusty Crab' but changed it to 'Krusty Krab' shortly before production, deciding that K's were funnier and more memorable. The building's design was based on a lobster trap. In the season 3 episode 'Krusty Krab Training Video,' the building is shown to have originally been a run-down retirement home called the Rusty Krab, which Mr. Krabs acquired and converted into a restaurant, adding a 'K' to the word 'Rusty.' In another episode, the Krusty Krab was the name of a pirate ship owned by Mr. Krabs before he started the business, which he named after the ship.
Reader's Guide
The Krusty Krab is a central element of SpongeBob SquarePants, serving as the primary workplace for the main characters and the site of many plotlines. Its signature Krabby Patty is comically beloved by the citizens of Bikini Bottom, and the secret recipe is a major plot device, with Plankton's futile attempts to steal it being a recurring theme. The restaurant has been featured in theatrical films, a Broadway musical, video games, and toys, and has been referenced or parodied throughout popular culture. Real-life unaffiliated imitations have opened in locations such as Santa Elena, Costa Rica; Ramallah in the West Bank; Moscow; and Davao City, Philippines. Viacom has sued entities attempting to trademark the Krusty Krab name. The restaurant has been recognized by publications like Time magazine as one of the most influential fictional companies.
Did You Know?
- According to animator Vincent Waller, there is absolutely no meat in the Krabby Patty; no animal product is used.
- The Krusty Krab building was originally a run-down retirement home called the Rusty Krab before Mr. Krabs converted it.
- Series creator Stephen Hillenburg is the only person to have seen the secret Krabby Patty formula.
- The Krusty Krab has inspired real-life unaffiliated restaurants in Costa Rica, the West Bank, Moscow, and the Philippines.
More in Characters & Voices
Elsewhere in SpongeBob SquarePants
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