Cracker Barrel makeover sparks nostalgia debate as longtime followers push again

[ad_1] Cracker Barrel Previous Nation Retailer eating places have been round since 1969, nestled strategically off interstates to draw drivers with their comfort, southern hospitality, vary of food options and inexpensive menu costs.

However Cracker Barrel could also be dropping its attraction amid a bodily makeover, in keeping with some.

Rachel Love, a 38-year-old Tennessee resident and self-proclaimed Cracker Barrel fan, not too long ago caught the restaurant chain's consideration together with her social media video.

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"When Cracker Barrel took away the final piece of nostalgia you had left," Love captioned in a TikTok video final month as she confirmed the within of an up to date location. (See the video on the high of this text.)

The put up has amassed 1000's of feedback from different Cracker Barrel lovers, a lot of whom disapprove of the brand new look and like the unique idea.

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/343/192/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/686/384/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/672/378/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/1344/756/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/931/523/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/1862/1046/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/720/405/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/05/1440/810/when-cracker-barrel-took-away-the-last-piece-of-nostalgia-you-had-left.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> Rachel Love shared a TikTok video exhibiting the adjustments to the partitions of a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Tennessee. (Rachel Love/@rachelallthelove)

Love informed Fox Information Digital she was in "shock" when she first noticed the white partitions and large mural on the facet of the restaurant close to her mother and father' home.

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"I believed they have been priming it to color it brown once more," she stated.

The inside décor had additionally been altered.

A Cracker Barrel location in Tennessee is painted white with murals on the facet of the constructing. (Rachel Love)

"There is no antiques on the wall," Love stated. "The one antiques they've have been on the hearth mantle."

‘Very clear’ Cracker Barrel chief advertising officer Sarah Moore stated all of the issues that individuals love in regards to the Tennessee restaurant chain aren't going away.

"Over the previous 12 months, we've got been very clear about our transformation platform," Moore informed Fox Information Digital. "One in all our methods is basically centered on that bodily visitor expertise."

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Cracker Barrel has been testing "numerous ranges of remodels," Moore informed Fox Information Digital.

"It is all about evolution with intentionality," she stated. "We have been very clear about our purpose of creating our shops really feel brighter and much more welcoming than they already are, whereas sustaining that nation hospitality and attraction that we're recognized for."

Cracker Barrel has been in enterprise since 1969, however it's present process adjustments. (Tim Boyle/Getty Pictures)

That features the model's signature rocking chairs and peg games.

"None of that's going away," Moore stated. "We're simply taking a look at methods to clean up the expertise in order that we will open our doorways a bit wider for extra visitors."

Love stated she's been contacted by Cracker Barrel workers wishing to stay nameless who stated the memento retailer – a well-liked method for patrons to cross the time whereas ready for a desk – is a part of the revamp.

Moore stated there is not any motive to fret.

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"The retail retailer is such a differentiator for us. It's such an essential a part of our general expertise. Issues of that nature, the issues that make us actually who we're — that is not altering."

"Thanks for loving Cracker Barrel as a lot as we do!"

Nonetheless, Love's video created such buzz that Cracker Barrel reached out with a peace providing that included a present basket filled with knickknacks.

"Hello Rachel! Just a bit one thing to say thanks for loving Cracker Barrel as a lot as we do! Your Pals, Cracker Barrel," a be aware on the cardboard learn.

Rachel Love reveals off the letter she obtained from Cracker Barrel in response to her viral TikTok video. (Fox Information Digital)

Moore stated Cracker Barrel listens to its clients.

"What the visitors requested for are issues like areas that really feel brighter, that really feel much less cluttered, extra sales space seating, extra seating choices, so our visitors are extra snug whereas they're eating with us," she stated.

'Menu evolution' Love stated she believes the standard of the meals has declined in recent times. "I feel they're making an attempt to save lots of on the meals prices," she stated.

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Cracker Barrel added alcohol a couple of years in the past – one thing Love stated wasn't mandatory.

"If I am out at a nice dinner , I will drink," she stated. "I am not going to Cracker Barrel to drink."

Visitors can even count on extra manu adjustments. "Much like our rework technique, menu evolution has additionally been a transparent pillar inside our transformation framework," Moore informed Fox Information Digital.

Sarah Moore, chief advertising officer at Cracker Barrel, spoke with Fox Information Digital in regards to the restaurant chain's transformation. (Fox Information Digital)

Cracker Barrel is "doubling down on our breakfast , which is a energy for us, but in addition increasing our dinner choices."

The "campfire" meals, absent since 2018, not too long ago returned to the menu, together with the all-new Campfire Shrimp Skillet, "an unbelievable worth," Moore stated.

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"I do not suppose we get sufficient credit score for the worth that we provide," Moore stated. "We provide so some ways to search out worth in your personal method while you come to Cracker Barrel. If you consider it, our common test is $14 in comparison with $27 for the informal eating business. Delicious food in abundance has all the time been a part of our price equation."

Cracker Barrel's Campfire Shrimp Skillet is new to the menu in 2025. (Cracker Barrel)

Love hopes the responses to her video will lead Cracker Barrel to tamp down on the beauty adjustments and focus extra on the food .

"Put together it with love prefer it was. That is the place all of it begins," she stated. "The meals has to get higher. Simply including new choices is just not going to vary how folks really feel about it."

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Cracker Barrel, nonetheless, recommended it has an eye fixed on the longer term whereas recognizing its previous.

"All the pieces we're doing is deeply rooted in who we're," Moore stated. "It is simply, how do we stock ahead these issues which have made us so beloved for the final 55 years? How can we arrange for the subsequent 55 years?"