Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino spoke with The Blaze’s Glenn Beck about the conflict she and the company faced after this year’s on-again, off-again deal.
Cracker Barrel is taking the heat from loyal Diners who say the quality of the food has gone – from the biscuits that brought back the speed of the old logo and removed the violence uncle before returning the course before the old course on the plate.
The Wall Street Journal reported that customers upset by recipe changes and cost-cutting efforts said the chain’s food was no longer reflecting its traditional values, a complaint it added after the body ski was abandoned.
Long-time diners told the magazine that restaurant craze is the norm these years as favorites disappear from menus and kitchens to replace past trends.
The magazine also reports that Cracker Barrel has evolved into a rolling biscuit brand as it is necessary to bake large batches and is compatible with sides, including stovetoes, from stoveto beans to ovens, and updated dishes where necessary.
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STAART, FLA., Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. (Jeffrey Greenberg / Universal Pictures Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
One of those customers, 73-year-old Craig Watkins of northern California, told the magazine he’s watched the chain’s quality fade and wants the old staples and real maple syrup restored.
“I want pure syrup on pancakes, not that mindless watered down,” she said, adding that she brings her own syrup when she visits.
Fox Business has reached out to Cracker Barrel for comment.
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Cracker Barrel Country Store in Fishkill, NY, Aug. 25, 2025 (Richard Beetham of FOX News Digital / Fox News)
The company told the magazine that it is working to improve the quality of the food and respond to the feedback of guests. Cracker Barrel said it has brought back items such as fireside dishes and Uncle Herschel’s favorite breakfast food as part of that effort.
During a call to investors on Tuesday, the company said its turnaround was progressing slower than expected after a failed retrial.
Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino said first quarter results were “below our expectations amid headwinds and ongoing” and that our teams will take time “as teams work to recover.
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Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Fels Masino leaves an office building in Brentwood, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2025. (Zak Bennett for FOX News Digital / Fox News)
“As you all know, the past few months have been difficult for Cracker Barrel and our 70,000 team members across the country. And while most of our guests are enjoying the improved food and confidence they have to come back,” said Masino.
“This will take time, but we are making a plan and we are confident that we will return to the trajectory we saw in fiscal ’25.”
Cracker Barrel’s sales were down 5.7% from the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The company posted earnings before interest, compared to $75.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier.
Masino also said that the decrease reflects about $14 million in additional advertising, sales and conference expenses.
The branding controversy erupted in late August after Cracker Barrel dropped the “old timer” from its logo and a redesigned interior was planned for its restaurant.
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The company reversed that change about a week later amid backlash from Swift customers.
Fox Business’ Eric Resell and Rornick Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.
