Krystal Square Off, $30K

Registration begins on this site today for the eight official qualifying contests that comprise the 2006 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship circuit. The first of these qualifiers will be held in Chattanooga, TN, home of the world famous Krystal, on August 27th.

The 2006 Krystal Square Off Championships will air on ESPN. This is the third straight year of the Square Off and eating fans have come to embrace the highly competitive circuit and its incredibly exciting final event.

“The Krystal Square Off is colorful and fast-paced and one of the most anticipated events of the competitive eating year,” said Rich Shea, president of the IFOCE. “What’s more, it’s a major and Krystal is putting up some serious cash.”

The winner of each regional qualifier will earn one of the coveted seats at the world championship final table on Oct. 28, 2006, in Chattanooga, Tenn., where they will compete for a share of the unprecedented $30,000 cash purse. Four wild card competitors will also be given entry to the October 28th event.

Founded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, indulgently delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand and the great food, service, value and setting that it represents has taken a prominent place in the South’s cultural landscape. The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company currently has more than 420 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.