Meet The Team

Crystal Buckingham
Owner of Chris Cakes Franchises

Crystal Buckingham grew up with Chris Cakes woven into everyday life. From a young age, she watched the business operate out of the family home in Louisburg, Kansas—pancake mix stacked in storage, homemade syrup being made in large vats, and brown trucks bearing Chris Cakes logos often heading out before dawn.

As a child, Crystal remembers helping alongside her dad—unloading pancake mix from trucks, pushing blue flatbed carts through Sam’s Club, and tagging along on grocery store runs to pick up crates of gallon milk needed for events. She watched him do whatever it took to keep things running. She never saw it as work; she was simply eager to help and be part of what was happening.

As Chris Cakes grew, so did Crystal’s exposure to the work required to sustain it. While customers experienced the fun of event days, she saw the long hours and dedication from Steve and the team that made those moments possible. Chris Cakes wasn’t just a catering business—it was a lifestyle, shaped as much by the work behind the scenes as by what happened on the grill. One of the most difficult moments came when the Chris Cakes warehouse caught fire, burning to the ground but sparing the family home & work vehicles leaving a lasting impression about resilience and starting again when needed.

After working as a professional cake decorator for many years, she found herself looking for more flexibility and freedom from the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5. Crystal turned to Chris Cakes, where she joined the team as a full-time flipper. It marked her first true return to the business since childhood—this time from the inside. Working events independently, without a traditional boss structure, gave her a fresh perspective and reinforced how much she enjoyed the rhythm of catering events and the positive experience of bringing happiness through food and fun to each event.

After experiencing another avenue through an office job, Crystal gained clarity about where she was most fulfilled—hands-on interactive work.

The opportunity arose to join Chris Cakes once again, this time working one-on-one with her dad as his second person at larger events while also running events on her own when opportunities arose. It was a period she valued—working alongside someone she looked up to and respected. The work flowed easily and enjoyably, strengthening her understanding of not just operations, but Steve’s mindset and principles that guided and built the business.

Over the years, Crystal worked every role within Chris Cakes—part-time and full-time flipper, helper, office support, and mix room. Following the systems already in place came naturally, and with time, confidence grew through experience, repetition, and seeing those systems work when applied with care. Experiencing each part of the operation firsthand gave her a practical understanding of the building blocks needed for a Chris Cakes location to thrive and what employees need to succeed behind the scenes.

As Steve began to slow down, he sold the Chris Cakes catering operation to his daughter, Amanda Shore, now operating as Chris Cakes KC. Shortly after, Crystal was offered franchising rights—marking a clear turning point. Founded by Loren Christensen and carried forward by Steve with intention, Chris Cakes was never just a business to expand. To Crystal, it represented a responsibility: to protect what made the brand special and grow it in a way that honored how it was built.

Today, Crystal is focused on preparing Chris Cakes for thoughtful growth—documenting the systems and operations, establishing clear standards, and supporting existing locations as needed. While franchising is the next chapter, her priority is ensuring the foundation is solid and the brand is protected.

For Crystal, staying true to what works and thoughtfully preparing Chris Cakes for future franchises is how she carries it forward and honors its legacy.

Amanda Shore
Owner of Chris Cakes KC

Amanda can’t remember a time when Chris Cakes wasn’t part of her life. For her, it was never just pancakes—it was the sound of laughter, pancakes flipping, and the unmistakable feeling that something fun was happening. Long before it became a business, Chris Cakes was simply where people gathered, worked hard, and learned to catch the experience.

Some of her earliest memories include watching real eggs being cracked into batter, milk jugs getting cut open to empty faster, and pancakes flying through the air to waiting hands. She remembers seeing Loren Christianson, the founder and creator of Chris Cakes, in action— coming in to help with big events and lead by example. Amanda learned by watching those moments unfold. It wasn’t polished or staged—it was real, hands-on, and full of energy. And it made an impression.

That same hands-on spirit carried forward as Chris Cakes took root in Kansas. Loren chose Steve Hamilton to carry on the Chris Cakes legacy, trusting him to uphold the traditions, values, and sense of fun that defined the brand. What Amanda experienced as a child wasn’t just family involvement—it was legacy in motion.

After graduating college, Amanda found herself unsure of what came next. Around that same time, Steve asked if she would flip pancakes for a while—just until she figured out her next step. One summer turned into another, and before long, Amanda realized she didn’t need to be searching for something new—she was already part of something meaningful, helping carry forward the traditions she had grown up around.

What started as helping out became a calling. Amanda discovered she loved the pace, the people, and the energy that comes from serving fresh food and creating moments people remember. Chris Cakes wasn’t just about feeding a crowd; it was about delivering the Chris Cakes experience—making events easier for organizers and memorable for everyone attending.

Today, Amanda owns and leads Chris Cakes KC, having purchased the business from her dad when he was ready to slow down. She leads a crew of 18 people, carrying forward what her family and Loren Christianson created. She brings the same hands-on approach she grew up with —showing up prepared, cooking fresh food on site, and making sure every event feels welcoming, well-run, and fun. From school fundraisers to corporate breakfasts and community events, her focus remains the same: great food, smooth execution, and an experience worth remembering.

At its heart, Chris Cakes has always been about bringing people together. Amanda takes pride in honoring the family members, teammates, and builders who helped shape it, while continuing to share the energy and enthusiasm that define the Chris Cakes experience today.

For Amanda, Chris Cakes isn’t just a business she runs—it’s a tradition she grew up in, believes in, and is proud to carry forward as part of the Chris Cakes legacy.