This week, the Krystal Corporation decided to close its location on Cumberland Avenue near the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus. A spokesperson said the restaurant did not meet company standards. Records show the store's last health inspection score was a 60 out of 100 and it received a warning letter from the state health department.
The closing has people talking about health inspection scores. The Knox County Health Department explained to 10News how the system works.
Knox County has 10 full-time inspectors who check eating establishments at least twice a year.
Restaurants are graded on 46 items.
A score below 70 means inspectors return monthly until the problem is fixed. Score below a 70 three times in a row and a hearing will be scheduled. The food permit could be revoked.
The other situation restaurants should steer away from is being cited for a critical violation.
"Things like hand washing, infestation of rodents or insects and waste water leaks," said Scott Bryan, with the Knox County Health Department.
Knox County inspectors find critical violations 70% of the time, according to Bryan.
"Lets say you got a 90, which is a very good score. But, you got several critical violations which are four or five points each. We're still going to come back in 10 to 15 business days and check your facility again to make sure you've corrected those critical violations. If you have, you get those points back," Bryan said.
If not, the business can eventually be shut down until the violation is corrected. There are 13 critical violations that can be made in a Tennessee restaurant.
You can view restaurant health scores in your city through this website.