Amid public backlash over the rebranding of Cracker Barrel, including a considerable change in logo and interior decor—with the logo being bereft of the company’s “Uncle Herschel” leaning next to a barrel, and the interior decor becoming less rustic and more modern—the company reverted to its original logo.
Elaborating on this change, a Cracker Barrel spokesperson announced to Fox Business the decision, which was also revealed on social media and in a press release.
“We thank your guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the restaurant stated, according to Fox Business. “We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain. At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been—and always will be—about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family.”
Alongside this change, Cracker Barrel has removed “out-of-date” language from its website, along with webpages.
“In connection with the Company’s brand work, we have recently made updates to the Cracker Barrel website, including adding new content and removing out-of-date content,” a company spokesperson told Fox Business further.
“Out-of-date” includes LGBTQ initiatives. In 2024, the restaurant sponsored the Nashville Pride Parade Cracker Barrel and introduced rainbow-colored rocking chairs in celebration of pride month. However, the link to Cracker Barrel’s pride webpage goes to its “Culture and Belonging” page, which has no explicit mention of pride or anything related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Our teams work hard to create a culture of hospitality that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive to everyone who walks through our doors,” Cracker Barrel’s pride webpage formerly stated, before it was taken down. “Our food and décor celebrate warm memories of the past, and our inclusive culture and beliefs help us make way for an even brighter future, together. Discrimination, overt or through unconscious bias, has no place at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.”
