KRYSTAL BURNS

she runs the world

If Palace had a backstage crew, Krystal Burns would be running the whole show. As co-owner, she keeps the retail team, finances, & wholesale structure all in check—plus she helps other coffee shops get their business in order. She’s been with Palace since the very beginning (the life of marrying an entrepreneur). When she’s not in Palace mode, you’ll find her at Amarillo Little Theatre, costuming, assistant directing, & making magic happen behind the curtain. These days, she’s also taking Mario Party very seriously, so don’t challenge her unless you’re ready to lose.

PATRICK BURNS

Vision & Future

CEO, founder, idea guy, and the visionary behind Palace, Patrick is always dreaming up what’s next. He leads the charge on coffee, marketing, merchandise, and wholesale—ensuring Palace continues to grow while staying true to its roots. He believes that community spaces are essential for a thriving society and that great coffee should be at the heart of them.

For over 26 years, Patrick and his wife, Krystal, have been tag-teaming life, which includes running Palace together. A former U.S. Barista competitor (who now prefers emceeing), Patrick is just as comfortable on stage as he is behind the bar. You might have seen him performing at Amarillo Little Theatre or in TEXAS!!! The Musical. Having both of his sons work at Palace over the years has been a highlight—but let’s be real, there’s no debate over who the best barista in the family is.

PATRICK RIORDAN

Roasting Operations

Patrick is Palace’s Head Roaster, but he’s no stranger to the coffee world. Before joining the team, he founded Mythic Coffee Roasters and opened Lillies Coffee in Henrietta, TX. Funny enough, Palace actually trained him as a barista years ago—so it’s a full-circle moment having him lead the roasting program now. He’s constantly sipping black coffee, always curious about what other roasters are creating (though he’ll never turn down a black capp when he wants something sweet). Outside of coffee, Patrick’s usually in the kitchen, working on his garden or diving deep into Warhammer 40k and DnD lore. For him, working at Palace is more than just a job—it’s a chance to be part of a community that lives out the same values he’s always held close.

COLE DAVIS

director of retail

What sunshine does for a garden, Cole does for Palace. As the Director of Retail Operations, they nurture the success of our shops at every level—from team dynamics to brand standards & company culture. Filled with composure & tenacity, Cole has a unique ability to turn chaos into order & blank spaces into beauty. These talents shine not only in their on-bar skills, but in their behind-the-scenes leadership as well. Many suspect Cole is part plant themselves; you can often find them basking in the sun (perhaps photosynthesizing), hiking at Palo Duro, or tending to their carefully curated home garden, filled with native species.

MALLORY CORONA

Palace's People Person™ 

A self-proclaimed protégé of Mr. Rogers, Mallory’s journey as a coffee professional has been shaped by the neighborly belief that people are inherently valuable & uniquely lovable. Her natural ability to turn strangers into friends & first-timers into regulars earned her the esteemed title of Director of Hospitality. Her days at Palace are filled with equipping our barista team to host all guests with authenticity and spurring on community initiatives. When she’s not deep in conversation at Palace, Mallory can be found at her dining room table, hosting friends old & new over a homemade meal. When it's time to recharge, she dabbles in the fine arts—writing screenplays, directing music videos in her head, & honing her delightfully mediocre tap dancing skills.

BRENDON LYONS

Training and Wholesale

Brendon found his love for coffee at Summit as a fresh baby barista & never looked back. After honing his craft in Austin—working in everything from barista to trainer to management—he returned with a passion for both quality coffee & the connections that happen in coffee shops. He believes cafés are more than just places to grab a drink; they’re spaces for community & conversation. When he’s not dialing in espresso or training baristas, you’ll find him hanging out with his dogs, getting lost in a book, or spinning vinyl.

LOU TAYLOR

Media Lead

If you found Palace through one of our social media posts, you have Lou to thank! Starting as a barista, Lou quickly embraced Palace's vision & brought their creative talents to the digital space. Now, they help connect our community near & far, sharing our story & strengthening relationships online. When they’re not capturing moments in our shops or chatting with you on Instagram, Lou enjoys playing video games & spending time with their husband & two beloved rescue pups (& yes, they’re always happy to share photos).

MALLORIE BACKUS

Office Administrator

Mallorie is one of the organizational forces behind the scenes at Palace, keeping operations running smoothly alongside Krystal. Since joining in May 2020, she’s worn many hats—starting as a barista, then growing into a shift lead, shop manager, & now office manager. Her experience across multiple roles gives her a deep understanding of how Palace operates & allows her to support the team in countless ways. When she’s not keeping things in order at the office, you might find Mallorie watching professional hockey in West Texas, reading a good book, or out on the road enjoying a ride on her motorcycle.