Cracker Barrel has officially hit the brakes on its controversial restaurant remodels following widespread backlash from loyal fans who said the chain was abandoning its roots.
In a statement posted to its website, the company announced that all remodels are suspended effective immediately. “If your restaurant hasn’t been remodeled, you don’t need to worry, it won’t be,” the company said. Only four of its 660 locations had undergone the changes, which swapped Cracker Barrel’s iconic Americana décor for a sleek, minimalist look.
The remodels, which focused on a modernized aesthetic, sparked outrage online. Fans flooded social media with criticism, calling the updated interiors “bland and boring.” One commenter reacted with a puking emoji, while another exclaimed, “WHAT are you thinking with that interior?!” Many longtime customers said the shift made the chain look like “every other restaurant.”
The controversy was amplified after the company unveiled a new logo that dropped “The Old Timer” — the image of a man leaning on a barrel — in favor of a simplified design. Fans accused the brand of erasing its heritage, with some warning the move could lead to a “Bud Light moment” for Cracker Barrel. Vietnam veteran Joseph Crawford, 81, told Fox News Digital the changes erased the history the chain was built on, while others voiced frustration over what they saw as a loss of authenticity.
Even company co-founder Tommy Lowe, 93, blasted the rebrand as “pitiful” and warned that Cracker Barrel was “throwing money out on the street.” He urged the company to “keep it country,” advice it appears to have taken to heart.
In its updated message, Cracker Barrel reassured customers that the brand’s familiar touches — rocking chairs on the porch, cozy fireplaces, peg games, antiques from its Tennessee warehouse, and its gift shop treasures — are here to stay. “The vintage Americana you love will always be here,” the company promised, noting that its focus would shift back to food quality and hospitality rather than trendy updates.
The chain also confirmed it would scrap its new logo and return to its classic design, a staple of the brand since 1977. For many longtime fans, the move marks a return to the Cracker Barrel they’ve always loved — a place rooted in comfort, tradition, and country charm.