Cracker Barrel said on Tuesday it would not remodel its restaurants after conservative backlash to changes at the country-themed restaurant chain.
The company said in a news release that it was not going forward with plans to expand its “modern remodel design” it had implemented at a handful of its 660 locations.
The announcement came on the heels of Cracker Barrel’s reversal to change its logo after conservatives accused the restaurant chain of changing its values or going “woke.”
“You’ve shared your voices in recent weeks not just on our logo, but also on our restaurants. We’re continuing to listen,” the company said in a Tuesday statement. “Today, we’re suspending our remodels. If your restaurant hasn’t been remodeled, you don’t need to worry, it won’t be.”
On Aug. 18, the company announced its new “All the More” campaign and logo change, which removed the old man perched on a chair and the barrel from Cracker Barrel signs.
Backlash to the changes among conservative corners of social media was fierce, including from President Donald Trump, who urged the chain restaurant to change back to its old logo.
“Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER again,” he wrote on his social media site, Truth Social.
When the restaurant announced it had heard the public’s reaction and would reverse its announced change, Trump congratulated the restaurant on Truth Social. A few days later, he posted what appears to be an AI-generated video of him shaking hands with the old man in the company’s logo and the pair dancing to the YMCA on X.
The company’s stock swung wildly amid the announcements and changes. It is currently down more than 11% from a month ago, several days before the changes were announced.
Cracker Barrel has admitted that it “could have done a better job” with the rollout of the now moot changes.
“We heard clearly that the modern remodel design does not reflect what you love about Cracker Barrel,” the company said Tuesday.
It added that “the vintage Americana you love will always be here — the rocking chairs on the porch, our fireplaces and peg games, unique treasures in our gift shop and antiques pulled straight from our warehouse in Lebanon, Tennessee.”
Cracker Barrel has restaurants in 43 states and employs more than 70,000 people, according to its website.
