A local burger giant is expanding in Atlanta.  Krystals President and CEO, Doug Pendergast announced Wednesday the company plans to move their corporate headquarters from Chattanooga, TN, to an undisclosed location in the North Perimeter area of Atlanta, by February 2013.

Pendergast says new management and a change in ownership in the company, earlier this year, led to the move.

With 60 restaurants already in Atlanta, Pendergast says Krystals has more restaurants in the state of Georgia than any of the other 11-states the company is currently serving.

Pendergast adds that the Hartsfield International Airport was also a deciding factor in their decision.  "We can reach each one of our markets with a direct flight.  We can get there faster, more efficiently, and do a better job at helping our team in the field be successful," says Pendergast.

The CEO says the company's move will bring at least 60-jobs to Atlanta as they open a restaurant and sports center at the new headquarters.  Pendergast  also says over the next five years they plan to open at least 150 restaurants.  "Everytime we open a restaurant, that's 40 additional jobs," Pendergast said.

Krystals, known for its small bite-sized burgers, has more than 6,000 employees and owns and franchises 350 restaurants in 11 Southern states.