Cracker Barrel has fallen

Did you know that it's mostly processed food that causes lung cancer, not cigarettes?
Weird.
Also, Japan's large at McDonald's is a small here.
Also. Weird.
Two things about that. It is probably one reason why the Japanese have such low levels of obesity and longer life spans, and two... they love them some KFC. There is always a line outside the walkup KFC stores.
 
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People point out the absurdity of a thread with about 170 messages about a restaurant logo. Meanwhile we will fill 170 PAGES of discussion about what color of alternative uniforms the Vols will wear for one 60 minute sporting event.
This whole website is first world silliness of the first order. But we all gladly participate because we get some level of enjoyment out of it. As long as people aren’t ignoring the true big issues of life; there is no harm in someone spending a few minutes each day with blowing off some steam.
Now go Vols and also stand up for making hashbrowns tasty again 😀
MHTA
 
Two things about that. It is probably one reason why the Japanese have such low levels of obesity and longer life spans, and two... they love them some KFC. There is always a line outside the walkup KFC stores.

The Japan thing is totally believable as our drinks have gotten huge. Small today is what was like a medium when I was a kid.
 
How's he wrong? Who else nationally is serving traditional country cooking?
CB is up against a host of competitors in the “casual dining” space. Doesn’t have to be country cooking, necessarily. You can get chicken fried steak at O’Charleys if you want, though.
 
How's he wrong? Who else nationally is serving traditional country cooking?

GROK:

The statement "Cracker Barrel doesn't have any competition" from Tommy Lowe, the co-founder of Cracker Barrel, reflects his belief in the unique positioning of the brand within the restaurant industry. Here's a breakdown of what he likely means:
  1. Unique Concept: Cracker Barrel's combination of a restaurant and a gift shop, along with its focus on country-themed decor and traditional Southern food, creates a distinctive experience that sets it apart from other dining establishments. This blend of dining and shopping is not commonly found in other chains, making it a unique offering.
  2. Target Audience: Cracker Barrel has historically catered to a specific demographic that appreciates its nostalgic, country-style ambiance and menu. This niche market may not be directly served by other major restaurant chains, reducing direct competition.
  3. Brand Loyalty and Recognition: Over the years, Cracker Barrel has built a strong brand identity and customer loyalty. Many patrons associate the brand with a particular experience that they may not find elsewhere, which can be seen as a competitive advantage.
  4. Lack of Direct Competitors: While there are other restaurant chains like Darden Restaurants (which owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse), Denny's, and IHOP, none of these directly replicate the Cracker Barrel model of combining a restaurant with a gift shop and maintaining a strong country theme. Lowe's statement suggests that he believes these elements make Cracker Barrel stand alone in its category.
  5. Criticism of Modernization Efforts: Lowe's comment also comes in the context of Cracker Barrel's recent rebranding efforts, which he criticizes. He implies that attempting to modernize or mimic other chains (like Taco Bell, which he mentions) is unnecessary because Cracker Barrel's unique identity should be sufficient to maintain its market position without needing to compete directly with others.
In summary, Lowe's assertion that Cracker Barrel has no competition is rooted in the idea that its unique combination of services, ambiance, and customer experience creates a market niche that is not directly challenged by other restaurant chains. This perspective underscores his belief that the brand should focus on preserving its original identity rather than trying to emulate competitors.
 
CB competes with every restaurant on the interstate. If you dont believe that, then you are as out of touch as the current mgmt team...

Heck, Buc-ees is a major competitor for them in the Southeast....
 
CB competes with every restaurant on the interstate. If you dont believe that, then you are as out of touch as the current mgmt team...

Heck, Buc-ees is a major competitor for them in the Southeast....
Dat gum, I'm smart.

When this hit the fan, I quipped that buc-ees could fill the corporate down home cooking concept if needed.
 
Dat gum, I'm smart.

When this hit the fan, I quipped that buc-ees could fill the corporate down home cooking concept if needed.

We had the same thought. You should be worried...

Buc-ees has really expanded their offerings recently
 
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We had the same thought. You should be worried...

Buc-ees has really expanded their offerings recently
Buc-ees of course offers no seating, only carry out unfortunately.
Can you imagine the uproar if Buc-ees redid their logo to remove the Beaver? 😳
 
If all the people who are crying about Cracker Barrel trying to rebrand itself, actually patronized Cracker Barrel, then they wouldn't be trying to rebrand themselves.
That's a myopic view of the situation though. The reason Cracker Barrel has trended downward recently is the quality of the food and the economy. The fix should have been easy, but they decided to complicate it and alienated a large portion of their customer base in the process. Maybe they can turn it around and meet their objectives. Right or wrong this is how it was viewed by their customer base........... We want to cater to a new demographic, we value people with a different point of view more than you, so we are changing our branding to appeal to them.

Wanting to change branding to appeal to a wider customer base is fine, but those plans are best implemented in phases and gradually. This CEO implemented this about as poorly as one could, if I were on the board I'd have to cast a vote of no confidence, she's damaged the brand.

Now they've been pressured to walk back some of their plans. You hear people say "go woke go broke", I honestly don't like that statement, it's too simplistic. How i prefer to view it is this..........if you try to be everything to everybody you serve no one. Just treat people with respect, cater to your customer base, don't virtue signal, don't condescend. If you follow those principles and have a good business plan you'll be successful more often than not.
 
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