Former Giant Victor Cruz Bringing Restaurant To His NJ Hometown

PATERSON, NJ — A former New York Giant made plans for a southern restaurant to touch down in his hometown. Victor Cruz partnered with Krystal, bringing the fast-food chain to the northeast for the first time in history.

Cruz — a Super Bowl champion and Giant from 2010-16 — signed a deal with Krystal restaurants to build up five eateries branded as "Victor Cruz's Krystal." The first restaurant will open in Paterson, Cruz's hometown, by the end of 2023.

The locations of Cruz's other four future restaurants have not been announced.

Krystal has an 89-year history in the South and is best known for its small, square hamburger sliders. The restaurants often draw comparisons with northern restaurant chain White Castle, of which New Jerseyans are more familiar.

Cruz's Krystal restaurants will also feature memorabilia from his football career.

“From the moment you try a Krystal, you know there’s nothing else like it,” Cruz said. “And once you eat it, you kinda just crave it. They’ve done it for generations and I’m excited to partner with the Krystal team and make it a winning combination.”

Cruz was born in Paterson and attended Paterson Catholic High School. He joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He won the Super Bowl with the team in the 2011 season and made the 2012 Pro Bowl. The wide receiver became known for celebrating touchdowns with a salsa dance.

He will become at least the second former Giant to open a North Jersey restaurant in recent years. David Tyree and his wife, Leilah, opened Clean Juice last year in Morristown. Read more: Former NY Giant Opens 'Clean Juice' In Morristown

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