Cracker Barrel has fallen

#226
#226
Wireless1 said:
$700 Million, if you're going to lie, at least make it believable.
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GROK:
Cracker Barrel did not spend $700,000,000 million dollars (which would be an astronomical $700 quintillion) on their rebranding—that appears to be a rhetorical exaggeration or misphrasing in some social media discussions to emphasize the scale of the investment.

However, the company is investing $700 million in a multi-year "strategic transformation plan" that includes the controversial rebranding elements, such as the new logo, restaurant remodels, menu updates, and marketing refresh. This plan was announced in mid-2024 and began rolling out in earnest in 2025, aiming to modernize the 55-year-old chain to attract younger customers while preserving its "country hospitality" roots.Key Details on the Rebranding and Costs
  • What the $700 Million Covers: The investment is spread over approximately three years (starting in 2024) and focuses on:
    • Remodeling or "refreshing" up to 660 locations nationwide, including lighter, brighter interiors (e.g., decluttered dining rooms, modern farmhouse aesthetics, and updated retail gift shops).
    • A simplified new logo (text-only "Cracker Barrel" in a barrel-shaped gold background, ditching the iconic 1977 image of "Uncle Herschel"—a man leaning against a barrel—for the first time in 48 years).
    • Menu innovations (e.g., new fall items, returning fan favorites like "Uncle Herschel's Favorite Breakfast Platter," and tweaks for healthier options).
    • Marketing campaigns like "All the More," featuring partnerships (e.g., with country singer Jordan Davis) and digital/social media updates.
    • Broader operational changes, such as pricing adjustments and efforts to boost relevance amid slowing growth (2024 revenue: ~$3.5 billion, up just 0.8% year-over-year; net income: $40.9 million, down from $99 million in 2023).
 
#227
#227
jmacvols1 said:
GROK:
Cracker Barrel did not spend $700,000,000 million dollars (which would be an astronomical $700 quintillion) on their rebranding—that appears to be a rhetorical exaggeration or misphrasing in some social media discussions to emphasize the scale of the investment.

However, the company is investing $700 million in a multi-year "strategic transformation plan" that includes the controversial rebranding elements, such as the new logo, restaurant remodels, menu updates, and marketing refresh. This plan was announced in mid-2024 and began rolling out in earnest in 2025, aiming to modernize the 55-year-old chain to attract younger customers while preserving its "country hospitality" roots.Key Details on the Rebranding and Costs
  • What the $700 Million Covers: The investment is spread over approximately three years (starting in 2024) and focuses on:
    • Remodeling or "refreshing" up to 660 locations nationwide, including lighter, brighter interiors (e.g., decluttered dining rooms, modern farmhouse aesthetics, and updated retail gift shops).
    • A simplified new logo (text-only "Cracker Barrel" in a barrel-shaped gold background, ditching the iconic 1977 image of "Uncle Herschel"—a man leaning against a barrel—for the first time in 48 years).
    • Menu innovations (e.g., new fall items, returning fan favorites like "Uncle Herschel's Favorite Breakfast Platter," and tweaks for healthier options).
    • Marketing campaigns like "All the More," featuring partnerships (e.g., with country singer Jordan Davis) and digital/social media updates.
    • Broader operational changes, such as pricing adjustments and efforts to boost relevance amid slowing growth (2024 revenue: ~$3.5 billion, up just 0.8% year-over-year; net income: $40.9 million, down from $99 million in 2023).
Click to expand...

No need for Grok when I posted what Cracker Barrel actually disclosed to investors. Their 3 year Cap Ex budget is 600-700M, a small amount which is related to the remodels. The bulk is their normal cap ex, tech spend, and maintenance...
 
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#228
#228
BeardedVol said:
Lol, so you want to complain about the logo, even though you don't eat there because the food is crap?

Did you also complain when Tampax changed their logo?
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And you are complaining about people complaining. (I say complain on, its fun to watch) Did you also complain about people complaining when Tampax changed their logo?

6rkw7o.gif
 
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#229
#229
BeardedVol said:
Lol, so you want to complain about the logo, even though you don't eat there because the food is crap?

Did you also complain when Tampax changed their logo?
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Friend, you don’t know me from Adam; so please be a bit sparing in your rash judgements of me.
I never said I DONT’T eat there; just that I don’t eat there AS OFTEN. Big difference.
Cracker Barrel used to be a special treat. Not it is just another blah mid range restaurant
Secondly, my main complaints greatly proceed the change in logo. I began to communicate my concerns to CB corporate as soon as I began to get inking of the coming remodel, long before a logo change was floated.
Thirdly, this is part of a longstanding aversion I have carried toward the generic homogenization of culture; the tendency of corporations to increasingly brand their products and services into bland and indistinguishable caricatures of one another. It started with the realization one day that almost every car I saw looked almost exactly the same and was only available in about 3 colors. Then one day I realized that every fast food and chain restaurant was indistinguishable if you removed the signage.

I began to study the asthetics behind the banal sameness of everything once distinct. The easiest way I can describe my view is that I do not wish to live in a “beige” world. The Cracker Barrel rebrand qualifies.

And lastly, if I were a consumer of Tampex (which of course I am not) then I would be perfectly justified in criticizing their rebrand. This is America and I can criticize anything I wish 😉
Have an excellent day and enjoy whatever restaurant you so chose and I will do likewise. peace
 
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#230
#230
jmacvols1 said:
GROK:
Cracker Barrel did not spend $700,000,000 million dollars (which would be an astronomical $700 quintillion) on their rebranding—that appears to be a rhetorical exaggeration or misphrasing in some social media discussions to emphasize the scale of the investment.

However, the company is investing $700 million in a multi-year "strategic transformation plan" that includes the controversial rebranding elements, such as the new logo, restaurant remodels, menu updates, and marketing refresh. This plan was announced in mid-2024 and began rolling out in earnest in 2025, aiming to modernize the 55-year-old chain to attract younger customers while preserving its "country hospitality" roots.Key Details on the Rebranding and Costs
  • What the $700 Million Covers: The investment is spread over approximately three years (starting in 2024) and focuses on:
    • Remodeling or "refreshing" up to 660 locations nationwide, including lighter, brighter interiors (e.g., decluttered dining rooms, modern farmhouse aesthetics, and updated retail gift shops).
    • A simplified new logo (text-only "Cracker Barrel" in a barrel-shaped gold background, ditching the iconic 1977 image of "Uncle Herschel"—a man leaning against a barrel—for the first time in 48 years).
    • Menu innovations (e.g., new fall items, returning fan favorites like "Uncle Herschel's Favorite Breakfast Platter," and tweaks for healthier options).
    • Marketing campaigns like "All the More," featuring partnerships (e.g., with country singer Jordan Davis) and digital/social media updates.
    • Broader operational changes, such as pricing adjustments and efforts to boost relevance amid slowing growth (2024 revenue: ~$3.5 billion, up just 0.8% year-over-year; net income: $40.9 million, down from $99 million in 2023).
Click to expand...
Obviously you have misread many posts (including the one you cite). I have seen no one claim here at least claim that the the invevestment was $700,000,000 million. I may have missed it but I honestly can’t remember seeing it
 
#231
#231
OrangeTsar said:
Obviously you have misread many posts (including the one you cite). I have seen no one claim here at least claim that the the invevestment was $700,000,000 million. I may have missed it but I honestly can’t remember seeing it
Click to expand...

To be fair to JMac, the $700 million number has been widely reported (Fox Business for instance).

The issue is people realize the $700M sounds like BS but they cant spend 2 mins, look at public info, and realize that this 700M is the following

1. A 3 year total
2. A range 600-700M
3. Is mostly related to new stores, tech, and maint. Only a fraction is related to remodels

Instead of actually reporting what this actually is, Fox says it is all for the rebranding and everyone reposts that lie over and over.
 
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#232
#232
OrangeTsar said:
Obviously you have misread many posts (including the one you cite). I have seen no one claim here at least claim that the the invevestment was $700,000,000 million. I may have missed it but I honestly can’t remember seeing it
Click to expand...

Maybe so.

I asked GROK: has Cracker Barrel spent $700,000,000 MILLION DOLLARS on their re-branding.

GROK responded:
"Cracker Barrel did not spend $700,000,000 million dollars (which would be an astronomical $700 quintillion) on their rebranding—that appears to be a rhetorical exaggeration or misphrasing in some social media discussions to emphasize the scale of the investment."


The X post (as posted below) said "$700,000,000 million" was spent and I am not sure where GROK got 700 quintillion unless GROK read that as 700 million million dollars or something like that.

So I re-asked GROK this: has Cracker Barrel spent $700,000,000 on rebranding?

GROK responds: Yes, Cracker Barrel has announced and begun implementing a $700 million rebranding and transformation plan, which includes the controversial logo update unveiled in August 2025. (Full GROK response in post #226)


 
Last edited:
#233
#233
BigOrangeMojo said:
To be fair to JMac, the $700 million number has been widely reported (Fox Business for instance).

The issue is people realize the $700M sounds like BS but they cant spend 2 mins, look at public info, and realize that this 700M is the following

1. A 3 year total
2. A range 600-700M
3. Is mostly related to new stores, tech, and maint. Only a fraction is related to remodels

Instead of actually reporting what this actually is, Fox says it is all for the rebranding and everyone reposts that lie over and over.
Click to expand...
yes, the guy from Fox news said $700 million below in video at 3 second mark:
 
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#234
#234
jmacvols1 said:
yes, the guy from Fox news said $700 million below in video at 3 second mark:
Click to expand...

So I think Patriot Oasis made the mistake. The reporter clearly said $700,000,000. But Patriot Oasis bumped that up by SIX ODERS OF MAGNITUDE which is of course ridiculous.
So if you want to point out the silly error of $$700 million million; feel free to do so. But the $700 million is defensible as a total although one can disagree on the timing over which it is spread
 
#235
#235
OrangeTsar said:
Friend, you don’t know me from Adam; so please be a bit sparing in your rash judgements of me.
I never said I DONT’T eat there; just that I don’t eat there AS OFTEN. Big difference.
Cracker Barrel used to be a special treat. Not it is just another blah mid range restaurant
Secondly, my main complaints greatly proceed the change in logo. I began to communicate my concerns to CB corporate as soon as I began to get inking of the coming remodel, long before a logo change was floated.
Thirdly, this is part of a longstanding aversion I have carried toward the generic homogenization of culture; the tendency of corporations to increasingly brand their products and services into bland and indistinguishable caricatures of one another. It started with the realization one day that almost every car I saw looked almost exactly the same and was only available in about 3 colors. Then one day I realized that every fast food and chain restaurant was indistinguishable if you removed the signage.

I began to study the asthetics behind the banal sameness of everything once distinct. The easiest way I can describe my view is that I do not wish to live in a “beige” world. The Cracker Barrel rebrand qualifies.

And lastly, if I were a consumer of Tampex (which of course I am not) then I would be perfectly justified in criticizing their rebrand. This is America and I can criticize anything I wish 😉
Have an excellent day and enjoy whatever restaurant you so chose and I will do likewise. peace
Click to expand...

You seem to be really invested in this scenario.

If Cracker Barrel were to improve their food back to the level that you previously found acceptable, would you boycott them because of your dislike of the new logo?
 
#236
#236
OrangeTsar said:
So I think Patriot Oasis made the mistake. The reporter clearly said $700,000,000. But Patriot Oasis bumped that up by SIX ODERS OF MAGNITUDE which is of course ridiculous.
So if you want to point out the silly error of $$700 million million; feel free to do so. But the $700 million is defensible as a total although one can disagree on the timing over which it is spread
Click to expand...
yes, I think Patriot Oasis made the mistake by putting $700,000,000 million. I do not know how GROK could get 700 quintillion (post #226). So I am confused on that.

$700 million total being spent over about 3 years according to GROK that said:
"What the $700 Million Covers: The investment is spread over approximately three years (starting in 2024)"
 
#239
#239
My friend's Mom managed a Cracker Barrel in the Knoxville area in the 70s or 80s while her husband was in grad school at UT. They were not from the south, and when she was first on the job, taking inventory, and putting in the next food order, she slashed the okra by like 80%, thinking no way did they need that much.

She learned a lot about the south that week.
 
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#241
#241
jmacvols1 said:
yes, I think Patriot Oasis made the mistake by putting $700,000,000 million. I do not know how GROK could get 700 quintillion (post #226). So I am confused on that.

$700 million total being spent over about 3 years according to GROK that said:
"What the $700 Million Covers: The investment is spread over approximately three years (starting in 2024)"
Click to expand...
Yea, my math has 700 million million as 7 x 10 to the 12th power or $ 7 trillion, not quintillion
 
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#244
#244
BeardedVol said:
You seem to be really invested in this scenario.

If Cracker Barrel were to improve their food back to the level that you previously found acceptable, would you boycott them because of your dislike of the new logo?
Click to expand...
That is a good question for which I really don’t know the answer. They have really gotten on my bad side of late.
The best I can say is that I could stand the logo changes if the food returned to its former quality and they didn’t remodel the interiors.
I view the remodels as disrespectful of my southern heritage.
And as I tried to explain (apparently not as successfully as one would wish); is that my Investment, as you put it, isn’t really limited to Cracker Barrel. I am highly invested though in concepts of aesthetics, the arts, and architecture. I have been tilting at the windmills of homogenization for quite some time now. Cracker Barrel is merely the latest “patient” to come in with these particular symptoms. If you really want to understand my point of view better, do some online searches about “corporate Memphis style” or watch this short video
 
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#245
#245
McDad said:
@volfanhill

In your employment, I suppose you have access to behavioral studies which influence diners to spend more money.

As far as you know, are there any studies which differentiate between chairs and booths as it relates to diner spending or satisfaction?
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Haven't seen anything on diner spend based on seating preference. However, guests prefer booths almost 2-1 over tables. But the table enable us to seat more people.
 
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