[Babbs1957]

So the logo of the older man sitting next to the barrel and the statement "Old Country Store" going away.....just for the words "Cracker Barrel". Along with a menu change.

IMO, they want to get away from the country home cooking look and make the place look more upscale. So a bunch of stuff for sale that you can buy anywhere and a menu that can be found anywhere. Good plan. Maybe she (CEO) can put New Coke as the primary drink.

Some things should not change, like Waffle House and CB.

[Topspinmo]

I ate at Cracker Barrel few times, seems to be mismanaged IMO cause few time I went at early afternoon they was already out of half their menu? But, will admit only been few time down here. When I was in OKC the opened new one up nearby. Within 6 months got blown away by tornado, nothing left but slab. They didn’t rebuild back, it was really good in OKC, haven’t found same quality around here though.

[Babubhat]

The customer base is old and expiring. Management consulting Tells them to change. It won’t work. It’s just another generic chain. Beyond the biscuits no great reason to go there.

[VAtoFLA]

Don't worry so much about it Babbs, maybe you'll like a new item or 2. Seems like you're just imagining the part about it being the same menu as anywhere and the same kitschy items as anywhere.

If you end up not liking the food or atmosphere, vote with your pocketbook and they can always do what Coke did and go back to what they had. I think you should try it though before you pass your final ruling.

[Caymus]

The stock is trading at the same price as it was in 2011. Chili's (Brinker Int) hit a new all-time price earlier this year. They will probably try to copy them.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Babbs1957

So the logo of the older man sitting next to the barrel and the statement "Old Country Store" going away.....just for the words "Cracker Barrel". Along with a menu change.

IMO, they want to get away from the country home cooking look and make the place look more upscale. So a bunch of stuff for sale that you can buy anywhere and a menu that can be found anywhere. Good plan. Maybe she (CEO) can put New Coke as the primary drink.

Some things should not change, like Waffle House and CB.

More Woke rebranding, likely to turn out as well as Bud Light's attempt.
culture/cracker-barrel-logo-change

[VAtoFLA]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

More Woke rebranding, likely to turn out as well as Bud Light's attempt.
culture/cracker-barrel-logo-change

I'm not even sure how you get to "woke" from this rebrand? That just seems like a silly thing to say. They are going for a brighter, more modern feel in the logo, lighting and menu. How is this woke to you? I'm actually curious.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by VAtoFLA

I'm not even sure how you get to "woke" from this rebrand? That just seems like a silly thing to say. They are going for a brighter, more modern feel in the logo, lighting and menu. How is this woke to you? I'm actually curious.

Did you read the linked article?

The goal: Change the conversation. Regain the narrative.

[asianthree]

CB menu became stale many years ago. Quality went downhill, many times some item weren’t available. The bacon took a drastic change, Instead of thick slices it’s paper thin, we used to buy the 2lb packages.
You don’t find long lines waiting for tables any more.

It was change things up, or start closing stores. My guess is they waited too long, for a turnaround

[HappyTraveler]

Originally Posted by asianthree

CB menu became stale many years ago. Quality went downhill, many times some item weren’t available. The bacon took a drastic change, Instead of thick slices it’s paper thin, we used to buy the 2lb packages.
You don’t find long lines waiting for tables any more.

It was change things up, or start closing stores. My guess is they waited too long, for a turnaround

AGREED. In other words, they were long overdue for a change. Yep, that longtime logo is very dated looking. You can't go wrong with a cleaner, more streamlined presentation.

Does anyone still buy all that (overpriced) merchandise in their stores?

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Babbs1957

So the logo of the older man sitting next to the barrel and the statement "Old Country Store" going away.....just for the words "Cracker Barrel". Along with a menu change.

IMO, they want to get away from the country home cooking look and make the place look more upscale. So a bunch of stuff for sale that you can buy anywhere and a menu that can be found anywhere. Good plan. Maybe she (CEO) can put New Coke as the primary drink.

Some things should not change, like Waffle House and CB.

One word.

Woke.

Not a recent accomplishment BTW, nor is it a secret. Quite a lot available on the 'net: just google "Cracker Barrel" and "Woke".

It started some months back. The drop in menu quality and service seemed to reflect that: we had a pretty gnarly experience at the one on 441 about 10 months ago that convinced us not to return.

A big mistake IMO: Cracker Barrel's primary customer base was people in the South, with commensurate values and viewpoints. A big draw for them has traditionally been the Sunday after-church crowd, which has significantly lessened of late. Just drive the restaurant on 441 at about 12:30 on Sunday and you'll see it. To us that was a part of their charm. I recall eating there about a couple of months after we moved here. I recall a rather long line to the podium and asked the hostess if it was going to be a long wait. Her reply (as she put an arm around my shoulders), "why, it ain't gonna be that long at all, honey!"

I doubt we'll be seeing that type of thing in the future. To the detriment of their bottom line.

[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Did you read the linked article?

He asked you how you got woke out of the article, why not answer. I'm curious about that too, since you don't seem to know what woke is.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

He asked you how you got woke out of the article, why not answer. I'm curious about that too, since you don't seem to know what woke is.

No, he asked how I got Woke from the rebrand. But I answered your question in post #8.

Post #11 was an even better synopsis.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

More Woke rebranding, likely to turn out as well as Bud Light's attempt.
culture/cracker-barrel-logo-change

Originally Posted by VAtoFLA

I'm not even sure how you get to "woke" from this rebrand? That just seems like a silly thing to say. They are going for a brighter, more modern feel in the logo, lighting and menu. How is this woke to you? I'm actually curious.

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

He asked you how you got woke out of the article, why not answer. I'm curious about that too, since you don't seem to know what woke is.

Perhaps VAtoFLA & Airstreamgypsy are a bit out of the loop? It's been a topic on Social Media all day and the overwhelming sentiment, is that it's a move to be "more woke" and in tune with today's culture.

If it's a "silly thing to say", there are millions saying and/or agreeing with it. Even Steak & Shake has posted about it, on social media: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gy5Kg9fX...g&name=900x900

There's a reason The Villages is called "the bubble".

[HappyTraveler]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Perhaps VAtoFLA & Airstreamgypsy are a bit out of the loop? It's been a topic on Social Media all day and the overwhelming sentiment, is that it's a move to be "more woke" and in tune with today's culture.

If it's a "silly thing to say", there are millions saying and/or agreeing with it. Even Steak & Shake has posted about it, on social media: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gy5Kg9fX...g&name=900x900

There's a reason The Villages is called "the bubble".

The fact that various media outlets, blogs, 'influencers', pundits, etc. latch on to a story doesn't mean the underlying thesis is credible. I wish people understood that about this era.

The underlying agenda being reported about CB might be valid but, very, very often it is simply exaggeration and piling-on to get clicks and views. Be suspect of anything being covered in this blanket manner.

My primo example of that? All the blown-out-of-proportion "reporting" and "articles" over the years about the supposed swinging lifestyle at TV. We who live here might roll our eyes about it knowing it's dumb but, I assure you, plenty of people elsewhere in the USA think it's true.

FAKE NEWS....every day is jam-packed with it.