BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – An East Tennessee resident has earned a special honor from a popular fast-food chain.

John Wilson of Louisville was one of 10 people inducted into the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

Wilson, his friends and representatives of the company gathered at the Krystal on Airport Highway Tuesday evening to celebrate his lifelong love of little burgers.

According to the inductee, his childhood was filled with frequent trips to the zoo. Instead of eating at the zoo during visits, the father and son would wait to satisfy their hunger till the trip home when they could stop at a Krystal.

The fast food chain has chosen to honor Wilson by putting his face and story on the side of Krystal boxes. Company officials introduced a life-size illustration of the design at the Alcoa induction ceremony.

“I can't believe it's here,” said Wilson. “I'm about to have my box unveiled, so I guess it wasn't a joke after all."

Millions of the actual boxes with his face on them will be distributed in January to the more than 400 Krystal locations in 11 states across the south.

“Maybe I'll just go in there and as a little test, sit by someone who has a box and see if they'll take the time to look at the box and see if I'm there or not," he said.

Wilson also received a plaque which will be hung in his favorite Krystal location.

You can find out all about the Krystal Lovers Hall of Fame by clicking on the link below.