Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is an American chain of combined restaurants and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The company was founded by Dan Evins in 1969; its first store was in Lebanon, Tennessee, which remains the company headquarters. The chain's stores were at first positioned near Interstate highway exits in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, but it has expanded across the country during the 1990s and 2000s. As of September 1, 2019, the chain operates 660 stores in 45 states.

History

Dan Evins, a Shell Oil "jobber" looking for a new way to market gasoline, developed the Cracker Barrel concept in 1969. He believed that the combination of a gift shop with a restaurant serving country-style food would help attract more customers. The first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store opened in September 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee. By 1977, there were 13 Cracker Barrel stores located in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Menu

Cracker Barrel's menu is based on traditional Southern cuisine, with appearance and decor designed to resemble an old-fashioned general store. Each restaurant features a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs, a stone fireplace, and decorative artifacts from the local area. Cracker Barrel partners with country music performers. It engages in charitable activities, such as its assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina and injured war veterans.

Controversies

Throughout its history, Cracker Barrel has been involved in several controversies related to racism, sexism, and homophobia. These incidents have led to lawsuits, corporate changes, and a public relations backlash.

See also

• List of food companies
• List of restaurant chains in the United States