Cracker Barrel Responds to Fans Who Are Not Pleased with the Chain's Remodeling Efforts

Yahoo ^ | August 11, 2025 | Sabrina Weiss

[DoodleBob]

It has been a year since Cracker Barrel started renovating its formerly knick-knack-ridden restaurants, and fans are still angry.

The Southern-inspired part-restaurant, part-store chain announced a 3-year plan to “evolve” in May 2024. Yet, more than a year later, fans are still commenting their complaints on an Aug. 5, 2024, Instagram post about the restaurant’s “new look.”

The video has a Cracker Barrel district manager walking followers through the space’s changes, like new lighting, seating and paint color. As of this story’s publication, there are more than 2,000 comments on the video. Many of the comments are complaints about the new “bland” appearance, while others are compliments on the “modern” look. The mundane video continues to get (positive or negative) comments more than one year after posting.

The 56-year-old chain is inspired by old country stores and used to be decorated with brown-colored walls covered in antique farm tools and historical family portraits. According to a 2022 Cracker Barrel blog post, each store averaged between 950 and 1,000 authentic antiques per location.

The new appearance, which 40 locations have received as of May, according to The Wall Street Journal, has a fresh coat of white paint on the walls, modern light fixtures and antiques organized into shadow boxes.

A spokesperson at Cracker Barrel told PEOPLE on Monday, Aug. 11, “We are very pleased with the trajectory of our remodeled stores. Feedback from both guests and team members has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic about the refreshed dining and shopping experience. All of the elements of our remodels were informed by direct input from our guests and team members alike – these changes are for them.”

[waterhill]

Trump signs everywhere. Even on my duck blinds.

[BerryDingle]

I was discussing the origin of “Cracker” and it’s lack of anything to do with racism. Many are completely ignorant of Florida history here in the south.

[Dr. Franklin]

I was discussing the origin of “Cracker” and it’s lack of anything to do with racism. Many are completely ignorant of Florida history here in the south."

In scouting, a cracker barrel is an evening social gathering with camp snacks:
Cracker Barrel
Did that come from the South, or is this more proof that the term comes from snacks at a trading post?

[NorthMountain]

The remodel looks gay ...

[Fledermaus]

I’ve never had a bad meal there.

[Fledermaus]

Probably for cleanliness. Photo A, with the lattice walls, get dusty. Lots of nooks and crannies to clean.

[Fledermaus]

Definitely.

[Fledermaus]

They serve beer now too.

[Fledermaus]

I remember when it was Little Black Sambos.

Eventually it became Shoney’s ?

[Fledermaus]

The cracker they refer to are from the old general store days. People would hang out by the cracker barrel usually full of saltines.

[Fledermaus]

I always had the Uncle Hershel’s. They dont have it any longer? The Old Timers is good.

[Fledermaus]

Oh, the one in Frankin near me is still good.

[Fledermaus]

It does

[nesnah]

They must’ve hired the Bud Light marketing team.

[Dr. Franklin]

I remember when it was Little Black Sambos.
Eventually it became Shoney’s ?

According to WP, it was never called Little Black Sambos, but the restaurants did have artwork from that book on the walls, so people did associate Little Black Sambo with Sambo's. I remember the name became controversial.

[Fledermaus]

Oh yeah. Books and stuff. So long ago.

[FrankRizzo890]

Nope, most of those “named” breakfasts are now gone.

[waterhill]

Playin’ loose.

[Tired of Taxes]

"I always enjoyed the antiques, which made every restaurant different, and which gave me something to pass the time (besides the peg game) while I waited for my meal."

It was a nice place for a family meal when the kids were young. We always loved the decor (and the cute shop that sold nostalgic things). Sometimes, I ordered meals at CB to take to family gatherings. But, I stopped going there when the food and the service went downhill. CB seems to have misunderstood. They think the decor needed to be changed. But people loved the decor.