SpongeBob SquarePants has taken viewers to different places within Bikini Bottom, and one of the most visited ones is the Krusty Krab. Owned by the always greedy Mr. Krabs, the Krusty Krab is the #1 fast-food restaurant in Bikini Bottom, but its origins can be a bit tricky and confusing, as the series has offered three different backstories for it – and here’s what they’re about.
Created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob SquarePants debuted on Nickelodeon in 1999 and has been unstoppable ever since. The show has become one of the longest-running American animated series and has also successfully expanded to other media, most notably video games and film. SpongeBob SquarePants follows the daily adventures of the title character in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, as well as those of his best friends Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, his neighbor Squidward Tentacles, and his boss Mr. Krabs.
SpongeBob works as fry cook at the Krusty Krab (along with Squidward, who works as cashier), which is why the restaurant is one of the most visited settings in the show. The place is known for its Krabby Patty sandwiches and for its eternal rivalry with Plankton’s across-the-street restaurant Chum Bucket, but what’s the story behind the Krusty Krab?
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Krusty Krab Has Three Origin Stories
The first origin story for the Krusty Krab is shown in season 3’s episode “Krusty Krab Training Video”, in which it’s explained that it was originally a retirement home named “The Rusty Krab”. After Mr. Krabs fell into a deep depression after serving in the military, he acquired the bankrupt retirement home and turned it into the Krusty Krab – of course, he only painted a “K” on the sign. Later, in season 6’s episode “Grandpappy the Pirate”, it’s revealed that Mr. Krabs was once a pirate, and the Krusty Krab was his ship, which he sold after retiring from piracy. It’s possible that he purchased the retirement home after this, and named it after his beloved ship.
Another origin story can be found in season 5’s episode “Friend or Foe”, where the origin of Plankton and Mr. Krab’s rivalry is also told. The two had been friends since childhood, and decided to go into the burger business after Stinky’s Burgers closed. The two ended up arguing over how bad their burgers were, and their fight over the recipe resulted in them tearing it in two, with Plankton getting the bottom half that said “and a pinch of chum”. After an accident in which various ingredients fell into the patty batter, Mr. Krabs found the “secret ingredient” for the burgers, and went on to open his own place. The inconsistency in the backstory of the Krusty Krab fits with Mr. Krabs, as he’s not a man who easily spills his secrets nor his personal information, so it wouldn’t be surprising if SpongeBob SquarePants dropped even more origin stories for the restaurant in future seasons.