LEGO Unveils Design Process for Simpsons Krusty Burger Set

The Krusty Burger is more than just a fast-food landmark in Springfield—it's a culinary catastrophe straight out of a health inspector’s worst dream. Known for its dubious menu items like the infamous Ribwich, The Clogger, and the elusive Steamed Ham (as Principal Skinner would know all too well), this iconic eatery now comes to life in LEGO form. The set includes seven detailed minifigures such as Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, Homer Simpson, and Officer Lou. Available for $209.99 starting June 4, LEGO Insiders get exclusive early access beginning June 1. You can sign up for free here and be among the first to build this quirky burger joint.

LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger

Available June 1 for LEGO Insiders, and June 4 for everyone else.
$209.99 at LEGO Store

To dive deeper into the creation of this highly anticipated set, we sat down with Ann Healy, Senior Model Designer at the LEGO Group and lifelong Simpsons fan. With six years of experience designing sets across multiple lines—including LEGO Friends, LEGO Icons, and even the Hocus Pocus Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage—Ann shared insights on bringing Springfield’s most questionable eatery to brick form.

What other LEGO sets have you worked on over the past six years?

Healy: I spent three years working on the LEGO Friends line, which was a great foundation for my design journey. Later, I had the chance to work on one of my personal favorites: the Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage from Hocus Pocus. That set took years to develop and launch, but seeing it hit store shelves was incredibly rewarding.

More recently, I've been part of the LEGO Icons team. Among last year’s releases, I designed both the McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna set and the Poinsettia LEGO Botanicals set—two very different projects that allowed me to explore a wide range of building techniques.

Why bring back The Simpsons after nearly a decade away from LEGO shelves?

Healy: Even after ten years, the love for The Simpsons remains strong among LEGO fans. Our market research showed deep global brand loyalty, so reviving the franchise felt natural. Designing the Krusty Burger gave us the perfect opportunity to create new, previously unreleased minifigures while staying true to the humor and charm of the show.

Interestingly, the original Simpsons House and Kwik-E-Mart were some of the last sets I bought before joining the LEGO Group. During my first week on the job, I came across an old prototype of the Krusty Burger set tucked away on a shelf. It reminded me that LEGO designers often create builds in their spare time, hoping they’ll become official sets one day.

Five years later, our Head of Marketing pulled that same prototype off the shelf and said it was time to revisit The Simpsons. As a huge fan, I jumped at the chance to lead the project—and I couldn’t believe my luck!

Can you walk us through the design process? How many times did you rebuild the model during development?

Healy: I began by refining the original prototype, focusing on layout and building instructions. I started digitally, then moved to physical builds to test how the pieces worked together. From there, I went back and forth between digital and physical models, ensuring everything clicked properly.

Throughout the process, I had regular check-ins with our Creative Lead and fellow designers to review progress and gather feedback. We also collaborated closely with the IP partner, presenting updates and incorporating their suggestions on both the model and minifigure designs.

I also participated in internal reviews with our Model Governance and Building Experience teams. Together, we tested every step of the build, evaluated playability, and ensured structural integrity.

While I didn’t count every iteration, I’d estimate I rebuilt the model at least 20 times. The final build? That happened when the first production boxes arrived from the factory—I built it once more for quality assurance!

How did you approach designing the Krusty Burger since it isn’t as consistently featured on the show as Moe’s Tavern or the Kwik-E-Mart?

Healy: Disney provided valuable reference images and layouts where available. To supplement that, I rewatched countless episodes to capture the essence of the Krusty Burger and translate its animated design into a tangible playset.

We leaned heavily on Season 20, Episode 21, “Coming to Homerica,” which features the Mother Nature Burger—a key inspiration for several elements in the set. The Ribwich from Season 14, Episode 12, “I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can,” also made an appearance.

Other notable references include:

• Season 6, Episode 15, “Homie the Clown” – Homer performs at a Krusty Burger
• Season 12, Episode 13, “Day of the Jackanapes” – Bart and Sideshow Bob visit the Krusty Burger
• Season 10, Episode 1, “Lard of the Dance” – Homer tries to sell grease from the restaurant
• Season 7, Episode 15, “Bart the Fink” – Features the IRS takeover of the Krusty Burger
• Season 19, Episode 1, “He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs” – Homer hides in the Krusty Zone ball pit
• Season 15, Episode 10, “Diatribe of a Mad Housewife” – Shows the Krusty Burger drive-thru sign
• Season 21, Episode 4, "Treehouse of Horror XX" – Features the Krusty Burger in “Don't Have a Cow, Mankind”

Any hidden details or Easter eggs you’re particularly proud of?

Healy: One of my favorite subtle nods is the kitchen display screen above the drive-thru window. It shows an order for 700 burgers—an homage to Season 5’s “Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood,” where Krusty opens an ill-advised oil rig version of the Krusty Burger in the middle of the ocean.

What was the biggest challenge in designing this set?

Healy: Capturing Krusty the Clown’s face on the large rooftop sign was both a fun and difficult task. The IP partner was especially particular about the proportions and likeness, providing hand-drawn sketches and detailed notes to ensure accuracy. One of my colleagues, who used to work as an illustrator, helped refine Krusty’s expression using LEGO elements.

Another major hurdle was making sure the heavy Krusty Burger sign could stand upright on a single axle. Our Element Lead introduced a new LEGO piece—an axle sleeve—that allowed the rod to support more weight. It was a clever solution that made the entire structure stable and visually accurate.

Is this the start of more LEGO Simpsons sets, or will this remain a one-off revival?

Healy: While I can’t comment on future products due to company policies, I personally hope fans enjoy this set enough to want more. As a devoted Simpsons fan myself, I’d love to see more Springfield locations brought to life in brick form!

LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger (Set #10352) contains 1,635 pieces and retails for $209.99. Available to LEGO Insiders starting June 1 and to the general public on June 4. You can purchase it on June 4 or join LEGO Insiders for free here. Stay tuned—we’ll be unboxing, photographing, and reviewing the full set later this month!