Austin-Born Schlotzsky's Breaks World Record With Mural At South Lamar Boulevard Site

AUSTIN, TX — Austin-born Schlotzsky's has made it into the Guinness World Records annals by having the most participants in a huge paint-by-numbers mural at its South Lamar Boulevard location.

Thousands contributed to the mural, which was the culmination of a weekend-long celebration of the company's 46th anniversary since its founding in Austin. The city on Friday declared Friday as "Schlotzky's Day" in honor of the commemoration.

The paint-by-numbers mural was designed by street artist and the “Mayor of Austin Graffiti Art,” Sloke One. The painting depicts a larger-than-life rendering of the famous sandwich Schlotzsky’s started serving in 1971 (The Original®) against a backdrop depicting the Austin skyline. The mural was sketched onto the brick wall on the side of the building at the Schlotzsky’s South Lamar Boulevard location.

The coloring was completed by thousands of people painting in 2,643 individual sections over the course of three days, surpassing the goal of ha 2,604. The weekend-long world record achievement and birthday celebration also featured live music and surprise rides on the Schlotzsky’s double decker bus with celebrity appearances. Some 60 lucky Patch readers won a place on the party bus by simply signing up for a newsletter, participants driven around town during a 30-minute fun-filled drive timed with the ACL Music Fest celebrations.

By the end of the celebration, 3,000 free sandwiches were consumed by participants, and more than 22 gallons of paint had been carefully brushed onto the wall.

The mural is a nod to Schlotzsky's Austin beginnings into a global eatery chain today with more than 350 locations worldwide. Founded in 1971, Schlotzsky's once featured a single sandwich on its menu — the Original® now memorialized on the mural he Original®. The original sandwich continues to be a crowd pleaser, featuring premium meats, cheeses, and marinated black olives served on a homemade sourdough bun that quickly spawned a loyal following still going strong nearly 50 years later, company officials said.

Founded in Austin, Schlotzsky's is now a part of FOCUS brands, headquartered in Atlanta.

"Our Austin heritage is what the Schlotzsky’s brand was built on, and we couldn’t be more proud to work alongside the local community to bring home a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title,” said Kelly Roddy, president of Schlotzsky’s®. “Schlotzsky’s will share a permanent piece of history with the city and Austinites who have been loyal fans for over 46 years. We’re committed to continuing to bring a taste of Austin to our fans all over the country.”

On hand to officiate the world record attempt was record adjudicator Michael Empric, who presented a certificate to Schlotzsky’s once participant numbers were confirmed. The previous record was held by Victoria Educational Organisation in Hong Kong, which had 2,603 contributions to a 42-foot-long mural completed on December 22, 2015.

“It was wonderful to see so many members of the Austin community participating in Schlotzsky’s attempt for the Guinness World Records title of Most contributions to a painting by numbers,” said Michael Empric. “Thanks to their efforts, Schlotzsky’s was able to make history by achieving the title with an outstanding number of participants. We congratulate and welcome Schlotzsky's into the Guinness World Records family.”

Find Schlotzsky’s on Facebook at @Schlotzskys, and online at www.schlotzskys.com.

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>>> All images via Schlotzky's, locator map via Google maps