“One of the most upsetting things I’ve
seen”: MAGA is crashing out over Cracker
Barrel’s “woke” rebrand
Daily Dot,
by
Anna Good
Original Article
Posted By: earlybird,
8/21/2025 10:47:57 AM
Cracker Barrel has unveiled its first major rebrand in nearly 50 years, swapping out its old-fashioned logo and rustic interiors for a sleeker, more modern look. The company says the redesign honors its history while refreshing the brand for the future. But online, MAGA supporters are in full meltdown mode, accusing the chain of “going woke” and blaming its CEO for betraying the brand’s values.The company said in a press release that the new logo is “now rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all.”
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Reply 1 - Posted by:
bighambone 8/21/2025 10:53:05 AM (No. 1993436)
It’s the quality of the food that counts! When they modernize to the point were they start serving microwave warmed up pre packaged food is when they will really crash and burn.
35 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
rememberwhen 8/21/2025 10:54:53 AM (No. 1993438)
More woke insanity. Go woke; go broke. When will they ever learn? It seems that they care more about virtue signalling than about making a profit to allow them to stay in business.
33 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
philsner 8/21/2025 10:56:12 AM (No. 1993439)
Let the libs have it. It can go away and something better will replace it. The left wants you upset, so don't let them win. Can none of you stay home and cook?
By the way, why are liberal women so obsessed with goofy looking glasses and pointy fingernails?
31 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
mc squared 8/21/2025 10:57:44 AM (No. 1993440)
Their quantity and quality has slipped lately so I don't go anymore. Is it an accident that their new CEO is female?
45 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
griddog1 8/21/2025 10:58:06 AM (No. 1993441)
Stick a fork in them there done!
27 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
jalo1951 8/21/2025 10:59:11 AM (No. 1993443)
If it ain't broke no need to fix it. And don't mess with success. When something works leave it alone. A so called improvement does not necessarily make things better. Know your buying public. Add your favorite ditty right here. Obviously this CEO has never heard of any of these timeless sayings. I don't go there often but I did enjoy the food and looking at the gift shop especially around holiday time. Why can't these people just let things be? So many people taking their insanity pills everyday. Does anyone remember New Coke?
30 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
chance_232 8/21/2025 11:12:17 AM (No. 1993449)
This is what we are getting our collective panties in a twist over? Its a paint job! It makes it look more like a farm house than a barn.
Im perfectly fine with the updated look. And I could care less that the branding removed the guy leaning against a barrel. It doesn't take away from the dining experience.
12 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
downnout 8/21/2025 11:18:28 AM (No. 1993452)
It has all the charm of a cafeteria…
17 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
Son of Grady 8/21/2025 11:18:33 AM (No. 1993453)
Looks like the CEO is trying to "Bud Light" their brand.
25 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Lawsy0 8/21/2025 11:23:37 AM (No. 1993457)
I'd be upset too, if I enjoyed living in the past. Yeah, the rent was cheaper, and the salaries much lower, but you have to appreciate the Stick-to-it-tivity of the thinkers and the doers at Cracker Barrel. I'm only going to say this once: they are at the top of their game and their hiring is the best in the busy, over-populated restaurant business. I miss my BFF who used to join up for Cracker Barrel breakfasts on Saturday or Sunday--in her zip code or in mine. Same great food. My problem was I'd be shopping while waiting for an empty table/booth. I'm a sucker for Salt Water Taffy!
11 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
billa57 8/21/2025 11:30:43 AM (No. 1993460)
Their whole alure was going to a country family style restaurant. If they ditch that in favor of a more transvestite/ homosexual atmosphere they are doomed.
24 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
wilarrbie 8/21/2025 11:46:49 AM (No. 1993471)
No opinion one way or other, but the fussy White people jokes and memes will be a hoot!
5 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
Californian 8/21/2025 11:49:29 AM (No. 1993472)
Not everything dumb is woke.
This is just dumb.
They took something interesting and memorable and replaced it with some completely generic nothing. It's now lifeless.
But it's not woke. I don't see rainbows or an homage to fake 1619 history or AOC or anything.
Just dumb. It could be -any- random place now.
31 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
crashnburn 8/21/2025 11:49:56 AM (No. 1993474)
How can I boycott Cracker Barrel when I haven’t been there in more than a year?
10 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
JHHolliday 8/21/2025 11:52:40 AM (No. 1993475)
I don't care what they do but the new look is not appealing. New CEO's feel that they have to "do something" to show that they are on the ball to change things. CB was doing just fine and quite popular here and I can't understand fooling with changing things. They must think that they are riding some new wave of progressive and "modern" thought but that tide is now receding. The country is moving the other way. The restaurant business is a tough market and capitalism is an unforgiving mistress. You can look back and see the landscape is littered with failures. The change must have cost the chain millions and I don't see any net benefit from it. Just the opposite. What the H was the CEO and board thinking?
20 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
Aubreyesque 8/21/2025 11:53:33 AM (No. 1993477)
I dont know who advised them to use the Chip and Joanna Gaines Farmhouse Gray scale, but apparently they arent as on top of things designwise as they should have been - Interior Design is BEYOND that now. It is OVER for the B&W Everything. They should have stuck with the original design : its more in keeping with what is popular these days.
No one does the Gaines Grayscale anymore. *BLECH*
18 people like this.
Paint and logo don't bother me. Adding alcohol and removing Christian music tells the tale.
19 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
earlybird 8/21/2025 12:25:18 PM (No. 1993498)
Well, the comments run the gamut from misogynism to catering to trannies. Consider the huge success of the female CEO of gigantic In-N-Out restaurants. The notion that only a man can run a restaurant copany is absurd. The other digs about transvestites and so forth are over the top.
It appears that CB had to clean up dusty, greasy restaurants that were past their prime. It is also possible that they saw their bottom line had weakened.Not everyone needs kitsch with their breakfast or their chicken and dumplings. The food should be the main event. That will depend on whhoever is in the kitchen.
They say they aimed for a country kitchen look rather the faux "country"look of trellis panels with old stuff hanging anthem. Most would rather eat in a clean kitchen.
11 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
Encore 8/21/2025 12:38:55 PM (No. 1993507)
Ah yes, progressing into obscurity. The older generations are all that’s keeping them afloat, the younger generation won’t be interested. Goodbye Cracker Barrel, it was a good run.
13 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
JoElla Bee 8/21/2025 12:48:00 PM (No. 1993512)
I have never thought CB’s food tasted much like authentic Southern home cooking. But, I’m Southern - born and bred - from a long line of Southern home cooks.
Their decor and unique nostalgic items in the gift shops always seemed to be the main draw to me, even being somewhat overpriced.
I don’t see their food being able to overcome the disappointment in newly designed decor among customers. But, that may just reflect my own personal taste.
9 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
Newtsche 8/21/2025 1:06:55 PM (No. 1993518)
Keeping the old design dusted had to be a chore.
6 people like this.
Reply 22 - Posted by:
DVC 8/21/2025 1:14:17 PM (No. 1993526)
It's been about 15 years since I was in a Cracker Barrel. They were OK, but we never went there much. Too kitchy, too much old stuff. I like that old stuff, have some in my workshop, but it's kinda dumb to hang on the wall.
And I wasn't that big a fan of the food. Some was OK, say 50% of the dishes are pretty good food, but a lot is stuff I never ate and never eat.
3 people like this.
Reply 23 - Posted by:
Daisymay 8/21/2025 1:16:35 PM (No. 1993527)
Well, #3, a lot of us don't WANT to stay home and cook anymore! I'm 84. I've done a lot of cooking in my Lifetime. My hubby retired 23 years ago. Did I get to Retire? NO! So, Cracker Barrel is on my list of good food replacement for Home Cooking. We Love their chicken and dumplings! We have home cooking probably 4 days out of the Week and the rest of the week is Leftovers or eating out at one of the huge choices of Restaurants in our area. Yes, Cracker Barrel is popular in our area and I do see a lot of "Elderly Folks" there, because they need a break from cooking!! We're not looking for Pizza or McDonalds. We're looking for Meat and Potatoes, Chicken and Dumplings or Beef Stew! So we support Cracker Barrel!
21 people like this.
Reply 24 - Posted by:
Venturer 8/21/2025 1:24:37 PM (No. 1993540)
It's ok with me i can just go to Bob Evans.
9 people like this.
Reply 25 - Posted by:
JoElla Bee 8/21/2025 1:31:26 PM (No. 1993546)
I can honestly say that I have never eaten at Cracker Barrel by personal choice, and I can count on one hand the number of times I have gone there to eat by the choice of anyone else. Everyone has their preferences. I’m thankful there are choices to accommodate most tastes. I wish success to them all!
6 people like this.
Reply 26 - Posted by:
WV.Hillbilly 8/21/2025 1:36:56 PM (No. 1993552)
The CEO's mental illness glasses are the tip off.
This is the same woman who thought it was a good look to paint the outside of Taco Bells black and purple.
10 people like this.
Reply 27 - Posted by:
zephyrgirl 8/21/2025 1:40:02 PM (No. 1993553)
I used to be a CB regular - breakfast (maple pancakes), lunch or dinner (pulled pork BBQ, or turkey and stuffing) several times a month. First, the maple syrup was replaced by "100% natural syrup" (flavored corn syrup), then the pulled pork BBQ disappeared entirely. Finally, the turkey stuffing changed from cornbread to sage (which I hate). Somewhere in that progression, I had to visit the formerly clean rest rooms at my local CB, only to walk into a trashed-out mess. I haven't been back. The new decor looks sterile, but I could stand it if they hadn't eliminated everything I liked on their menu. They are alienating their regulars, while not attracting new customers. CB will circle the bowl for a while, but absent a major direction change, they're toast.
17 people like this.
Reply 28 - Posted by:
volksford 8/21/2025 1:50:02 PM (No. 1993560)
Here is a great idea.....start serving booze at a restaurant that is along every interstate thats the ticket.
12 people like this.
Reply 29 - Posted by:
Peregrine 8/21/2025 2:09:29 PM (No. 1993570)
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
10 people like this.
Reply 30 - Posted by:
BarryNo 8/21/2025 2:22:46 PM (No. 1993575)
"Polly want a cracker?"
"Raaaawk! No thank you."
I don't have a big deal with the rebranding. At least they didn't have a tyranny gushing over it. The shop interiors are interesting as all get out, trying to identify items clear back to the mid-1800s. I hope that doesn't change with new stores.
7 people like this.
Reply 31 - Posted by:
padiva 8/21/2025 3:21:44 PM (No. 1993612)
here's a crazy idea:
Develop a cracker that will be a CB exclusive that people will crave.
Sell the crackers (for a reasonable price) at CB.
For the logo, keep the barrel because 'barrel' is in the name of the restaurant.
Now add the CB crackers to the logo.
4 people like this.
Reply 32 - Posted by:
Red Ghost 8/21/2025 3:44:46 PM (No. 1993620)
Does anyone know if Julie Felss Massino went to college with the Bud Light babe Alissa Heinerscheid? Maybe they were sorority sisters or something. They sure think alike. To those that think CB is just doing a remodel, the key was getting rid of the white dude. Miss Julie clearly wanted to make the brand more "inclusive." It is reported that the makeover started last year, when white dudes were clearly outta fashion. Hmmm. Wondering if Miss Julie and her minions feel the same way in 2025 after the events of November 7, 2024 and the spectacular success of the mega white dude, Donald J. Trump and his dudes and dedettes? Just askin'.
11 people like this.
Reply 33 - Posted by:
konocti95 8/21/2025 4:13:23 PM (No. 1993626)
I ate at Cracker Barrel once in 2013 when my daughter worked there. I'm so upset over all of this rebrand nonsense that im boycotting them from now on. When I drive by one on the freeway I'm going to close my eyes tight shut.
4 people like this.
Reply 34 - Posted by:
Jesuslover54 8/21/2025 4:22:46 PM (No. 1993635)
Wave by-bye.
5 people like this.
Reply 35 - Posted by:
RedWhiteBlue 8/21/2025 4:54:11 PM (No. 1993646)
Even Uncle Ben's rice doesn't taste the same now that Uncle Ben is gone!
7 people like this.
Reply 36 - Posted by:
Toodles3956 8/21/2025 5:34:40 PM (No. 1993659)
I'm not going anymore. Liked it the way it was. They will be out of business soon.
6 people like this.
Reply 37 - Posted by:
cireskul 8/21/2025 5:43:17 PM (No. 1993668)
Go Woke, Go Broke. FAFO stupid CUCKS!
4 people like this.
Reply 38 - Posted by:
granny5 8/21/2025 6:40:15 PM (No. 1993699)
The last time we went there for dinner, it took 20 minutes to order and another hour plus until we got our food. If they want to improve things, hire more cooks...and stop changing the menu. Needless to say, we haven't gone back.
7 people like this.
Reply 39 - Posted by:
robertthomason 8/21/2025 10:53:56 PM (No. 1993800)
So, they took the old white guy off the logo. Go figure.
3 people like this.
Reply 40 - Posted by:
SALady 8/22/2025 1:34:16 AM (No. 1993827)
For many years, conservatives had to sit by and watch so many companies, and even the NFL, being destroyed by wokeness. But we finally got sick of it and started to stand up to these companies wanting our money by spitting in our faces with things we found repulsive!!!!! No more!!!! We started making our opinions known, and "voting" with our wallets. Ask Bud Light how that worked out for them!!!!!
Cracker Barrel has forgotten their base customers: Families, travelers, and senior citizens -- with a serious conservative leaning -- who make up probably 90% of their business. We loved the feeling of going to Grandma's house when we went to eat there. We loved the country market feel in the store. We loved the Christian music playing in Cracker Barrel. But all that is going away because some woke liberal CEO decided that they needed to "modernize".
So, yes, we are upset and we are letting you know while there is still time to say "oops, we made a mistake", and kill these changes now!!!! Otherwise, be prepared to "Go Woke, Go Broke"!!!!!
9 people like this.
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