Cracker Barrel just learned the hard way that when you mess with tradition, people gonna let you know quick. The restaurant chain, known for its Southern vibes and comfort food, is catching major backlash over its new logo design. The fresh look stripped away the iconic barrel and the old-school details, leaving fans feeling like the company lost touch with what made them special.
Even President Donald Trump jumped in, blasting the redesign publicly, which only fueled the fire. The backlash wasn’t just noise online either — the company reportedly took a major financial hit, losing an estimated $94 million in stock value right after the logo reveal.
In the statement released Monday, Cracker Barrel admitted it “could’ve done a better job” at rolling out the new design. They thanked their loyal customers for speaking up and promised that while the look might be changing, the heart of Cracker Barrel remains the same.
Cracker Barrel Promises Traditions Will Stay Intact
Cracker Barrel reassured customers that the things people love most about the restaurant — from the rocking chairs on the porch to classic menu staples like their famous meatloaf — ain’t going nowhere.
The company is in the middle of a larger rebranding effort, including updates to its stores, but stressed that the soul of the brand is still alive and well.
They also made it clear that Uncle Herschel, the founder whose face has been a staple on menus, isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
For fans worried that the brand is trying to chase trends and lose its identity, Cracker Barrel insists that’s not the case. Instead, they’re promising more communication and community engagement so customers feel like part of the process.