Cracker Barrel's Epic Downfall Keeps Getting Worse

Cracker Barrel recently announced the shutdown of 4 more outlets, adding to a long list of closures. The restaurant chain is desperately trying to address dropping revenues and store shutdowns. Are there worse times ahead for this legacy American chain?
#crackerbarrel #countrymusic #restaurants #countryliving
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[@brucekastel707]

They don't need a marketing department. What they need to do is go back to good service, good food, and good housekeeping. If that happens, we will be back to what once was our go-to family restaurant and people will beat a path to their doors.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

CB in Orlando is not great, Orlando.gov ... I liked the country store, hokey theme 🍽 but the QC & prices of the foods, mostly breakfast was 📉 .

[@macmac9744]

not going to happen with uncle joe around. you'll be lucky if you get to eat dirt pretty soon.

[@TheBaldr]

There is a labor shortage, getting good people to work is going to cost a lot of money.

[@rcmp2648]

They got rid of the gift shops and old time candy. That was more than I could take.

[@hughjassol-0-]

@@jrregan As person with a brain, I'm glad we will never, likely be under the same roof. Enjoy your bigot foods. That daily chicfila must be doing wonders for your waist and arteries #thoughtsandprayers

[@whatsreal7506]

Where the bean counters rule, business failure is inevitable

[@dennissimo7546]

aka Boeing

[@alexandru5369]

yep accountants need too stay in accounting. That's their literal job. Just because you're very good at one thing doesn't mean you don't suck at everything else ( better t oo be a master of one than a jack of all trades every time) . Goes with any profession i.e. construction worker can lay down gravel but would have no idea how too teach kids an d vice versa

[@tedecker3792]

Bean counters are the reason Japanese car industry killed domestics. Toyota: how can we make better cars. GM/Ford: how can we make cars cheaper.

[@Xidification]

When you have a business that appeals to the working class, having the three-piece suits call the shots is probably not a great idea. They have no frame of reference to make informed decisions on what these customers like. 🤷

[@virginiamoss7045]

Same thing happening to our entire health care system.

[@troyott2334]

This is bizarre as I have NEVER been to a cracker barrel anywhere that was not PACKED with people

[@09rja]

Me either. Takes forever to get checked out though.

[@garysizemore411]

Not the one in Kingsland Georgia. Always empty seats.

[@markjenkins8242]

That used to be the case for us as well but a couple of weeks ago we stopped at one that was not full at all. I don't remember what day or time of day it was however.

[@utubeuser775]

Lake park Georgia not so good … ordered a dinner for 5. Vegetables had two loaf pans full of vegetables …Chicken and Dumplins not so much. It was enough for maybe one person. Mostly juice ! Sad !

[@dtvjho]

Lavonia GA always packed. Same for Plymouth Meeting PA, Lehigh Valley, Brooksville FL (SR 50&I-75), Anderson SC, Wesley Chapel, 54th Ave N St. Petersburg, the list goes on as we’re frequently in CB on our trips. From this video, most closures are in states run by the D party. If I say more, YT’s secretive community won’t like it

[@jarvisskooge8602]

Instead of gimmicks… how about good food, service & cleanliness?

[@alabamaal225]

It's the same phenomenon that happened to the Howard Johnson chain of restaurants. Traditional management died/retired/bought-out/forced-out and was replaced by newly minted MBA grads who knew the price of everything and the value of nothing.

[@JohnWeems-y3e]

SADLY, I AGREE.

[@lakepublishing1990]

"who knew the price of everything and the value of nothing"... 👍

[@texasguysanantonio8295]

It was Marriott that bought Howard Johnson's. and Farrell's Ice Cream, and then just shut them down.

[@bzamski17]

Clean up your act go back to the old country home cooking that we loved

[@donwayne1357]

Now, just hold on a minute there.

[@tonyfair487]

With hearty Southern style portions to match.

[@jimmy999-z2j]

It was fake corporate “country style” from the get go - with a Chinese store attached to

[@paddyjoe1884]

Brad's wife used to love old country cooking

[@ReedyCreekRealtyRaleigh]

@@tonyfair487 They have some real skimpy portions that make it not worth the price anymore.

[@seaborn7023]

The decline in customers is easy to explain: lower quality food, poor employee quality and management of the restaurant at a whole, poor customer service, the restrooms are not clean anymore. They can’t even get the sweet tea right anymore. Bottom line: managers don’t seem to care and the quality of employees is poor. It doesn’t make you want to go back anymore.

[@jonesy4588]

their tea is ok , its the price of it now

[@charleshodges]

I agree about the tea. And last time I was there the tea had coffee grounds in it.

[@ky.gambler5281]

Manager and EMPLOYEES are a product of modern day society..

[@theatomicpunkkid]

Wow it takes a special kind of mucking about and finding out to screw up sweet tea. Thanks for the heads up.

[@ronr3656]

Not true in my area.

[@BREEZEMAYES]

Filthy Bathrooms. Crowded tables. Overworked staff. Smaller portions. Subtle changes in recipes with cheaper items equals diminished taste. Playing to stockholder profits rather than service creates decreased profits and the vicious circling the drain begins.

[@2olvets443]

Recipes? How about frozen food microwaved or induction oven.

[@sfopaladin2661]

What they should've mentioned is that 8-10yrs ago the company sold out to big conglomerates or hedge funds. Hence the missing staff, lousy food and generally a bean counters dream. I used to go down the east coast to Florida and come back up a month later. All of them were the same. "2 old fashioned slices of meat loaf". I swear less than 1/4 inch each and can see thru on one of them. Once in Florida was like night and day. Great food, hot, friendly staff, like what cracker barrel used to be. This is at their competitors. So they shouldn't blame economic factors. Look no further than your own staff and execs stock options. That's what killed CB.

[@PoeLemic]

Yeah, very small portions. I got there, spend $25+ bucks, and still I'm hungry. Not the same as it was in the past.

[@broccanmacronain457]

And food taking forever to get.

[@Beauxtrux]

And don't forget the racism...still present in many locations where non-whites are either served poorly or not at all. Was at a NC location within the last 10 days where I witnessed this..BTW, I am white.

[@ginathacker6207]

This was a brilliant concept. Six months ago, I went to one for the first time for “breakfast”. The menu was very limited, the portion was small, food was barely warm, price was high. Cruised the “Made in China” gift shop-no thanks. FIRE the bean counters!!

[@mannyistheman2221]

I have been saying this for years! How are they an old country store when most of their stuff is MADE IN CHINA?!?!?

[@lordbaker6253]

@@mannyistheman2221 Where else you going to make it? In the US where we have labor shortages?

[@sandmangti7040]

Changes. 1. Bring back biscuits first. When you sit down , in 1 minute one biscuit for each person plus butter and jelly should be delivered. This is what you did in 80-90’s. Do not skimp. 2. Drop beer sales. 3. Service. Simplify menu, work on good food. 4. Smaller gift shop. Young people do not buy. Open coffee shop In gift shop. To go coffee or pick in lot during AM. 5. Always have fires in cold weather. Do not skimp. By coffee shop, small tables to sit.

[@RyanHaydenMattoon]

Every one of these things! Especially dropping the beer. Cracker Barrel was the one place where teetotalers (a significant portion of the population) could go without getting alcohol pushed at us. No, I don’t want a mimosa. You are stinking Cracker Barrel. Give me some biscuits and some tea and stop trying to attract the crowd that hates you anyways.

[@johnj6689]

The CEO's idea of a coffee shop would be selling that fair trade crap to appease the liberals. Next lavender tea, kombucha tea, and avocado toast would be added. No coffee shop.

[@baileymoore7779]

I didn't even know they sold beer. But either way it has never occurred to me to order a beer at Cracker Barrell.

[@AlittleBaconOnTheCob]

My Cracker-barrel has biscuit's, do most of them not have them?

[@davidgood6519]

I spent 8 years of my life, slaving in that place. When I first started, it was a family friendly, place. As they changed from, making everything from scratch to everything being frozen or canned. All they cared about was the money, i remember when they said at a meeting, all of you are interchangeable and all of you are replaceable. Then i turned in my GM, for theft, was fired shortly after. I would never eat there, i know how the sausage is made!

[@TheOsfania]

Easy, on that, comma key, Bucka,roo😊

[@georgecapra]

Craker Barrels shake hands wit the devil [ LGBTQ ] and then they want to prosper, what a bunch of demonic fools.

[@derekk6906]

There isn’t a sit down chain that prepares everything from scratch. Do people really think chain restaurants have a chef in the kitchen with measuring cups and spices preparing each guest meal separately? That would spell disaster for a chain restaurant that needs consistency. They want every location to taste exactly like every other one of their locations.

[@davidgood6519]

@derekk6906 up to the 2nd year i was there, everything was cooked and prepared, some ingredients were from frozen, and we used some bases. However at the end of my 8 years, everything was dump, in a steam kettle, heat up and serve. We had standardized recipes for everything, then as they got rid of the older employees to plug in warm bodies to save money, they switched to the dump and heat method. The quality suffered, the staff became turnkey, and that is why, they are where they are today.

[@elelectrotech9374]

the last time i ate there it did taste like canned but i brushed off the idea,

[@bwktlcn]

They forgot their core business - reasonably priced good food. Nobody says, “hey, I want a beer, let’s go to Cracker Barrel!” You go there for a freshly cook breakfast, country veggies, consistent food. It used to be if you were driving on a trip, you knew Cracker Barrel was food, snacks, music, books on tape, seasonal souvenirs. The last several times, the food quality is terrible, tiny proportions, you go in, only half the tables have people,but they tell you while they can seat you, it will be an hour or more before they can get your food. Nobody has that kind of time. They’re going to disappear.

[@jameswood231]

Not a fan of CB anymore.😢

[@Siggyroka]

When they started serving beer,I quit going

[@deliveryguy7402]

Damn, I thought it was just me. We get CB gift cards a lot but we won't use them. We regift them.

[@AngelAPAVLOVSCornDog]

I can't believe they sell alcohol now, and yes the food isn't as good either

[@dawn4999]

Right. Take the beer out! Cracker Barrel (aka “like going to Grandma’s house”, beer has not place!).

[@daviddouglas4188]

15 years ago they were a great place to eat. Now the food is as bad as the service.

[@sean_connors]

It’s not just Cracker Barrel. Shareholder profits, quarterly earnings, DEI, ESG. These are the corporate drivers today. In any one of these let alone all four simultaneously, there is no room for quality. Yet they just double down as if it’ll magically fix itself.

[@poonpoonsmith399]

Cracker Barrel reminds me of Wendy's. When Dave Thomas passed away and the kids sold the company to investors. Wendy's went downhill quickly. So sad to see.

[@navitrader]

They have more than doubled some of their prices over the past several years. 😢 we don’t go there any more.

[@mannyistheman2221]

Doubled the prices, cut the portions, and use lower quality food. WHAT could go WRONG?

[@soteriamediaproductions6165]

Maybe they need to quit “trying new things” to please a changing crowd. They did well with their traditional menu and the “changing crowd” got a taste of their traditional dishes and liked them. Every time I visit there, they’ve dropped something on their menu in exchange for something you can get anywhere else.

[@Jleed989]

Like most markets, probably trying to appeal to a “younger demographic “

[@cleophusfowler]

Exactly!

[@tonyfair487]

Correct. Traditional Southern cooking hasn't changed all that much, so why is CB trying to change what made them successful?

[@inezjackson2244]

Problem is they didn’t change fast enough , u either lead follow or get out the way , u have to change

[@lilahfeuquay5351]

@@inezjackson2244["WHY"]>OF>"WHEN(*&*)WHERE>"THE-CRACK-HOUSE > WENT >//" W 🤢 K E !!!"//

[@omegacyclone3841]

Bathrooms are bad and the food doesn’t taste home cooked anymore. Then, they took the turkey sausage from the breakfast menu. I once loved this place. It was once consistently good, regardless of which location you ate at.

[@davidgood6519]

Around 2010, they stopped making everything from scratch, and began using all frozen or canned products. All old time employees were forced out because they made too much an hour, and were replaced by especially warm bodies. It's been down hill since then.

[@Mrrossj01]

Isn’t turkey sausage woke?

[@AAPSG]

Oh yeah, Turkey sausage and Turkey salad, 2 of my favorites

[@AAPSG]

@@Mrrossj01 Sausages are thought to have originated in Mesopotamia over 5,000 years ago, in at least 3,100 BCE, with the earliest evidence being discovered in Sumeria. Since then, many different kinds of sausage have been invented as a way of preserving meat by mixing it with salt and various herbs and spices.

[@Bernard-fo2qo]

When are you hillbillies gonna finally figure out you are only here to serve your Corporate Republican Masters?

[@Primus54]

I spent half of my adult career in the corporate chain food restaurant business and, with few exceptions, as soon as they fall into the “Quarterly Earnings” trap dictated by Wall Street, their future is a downward spiral. Additionally, unless the food and service is exceptional, “theme” restaurants become victims of the latest trends… customers are fickle. Finally, there is a very real shortage of people who want to perform these restaurant jobs, so finding and retaining competent help… including management… has taken a negative toll on quality, service, and cleanliness.

[@linuxman0]

I used to work for Rackspace, a web hosting company, when they went private citing quarterly earnings as an obstacle to their ability to innovate. Additionally, companies like General Motors are completely quarterly results oriented; it shows in their products and in the way the company is run.

[@StarViewer68]

Thank you for breaking down the reasons why several restaurants have declined in quality over the years. A lot of times, people will blame the decline on one factor, when in reality, it’s multiple factors having a domino effect, that leads to changes in a restaurant’s performance.

[@vapnut]

Customers are not fickle. Customers expect quality food and service at a reasonable price. Go woke, go broke.

[@Primus54]

@@vapnut I guess you missed the “theme” restaurant qualifier in my comment.

[@oruwatching]

I will never go there again. This is not Southern food! The grits are grits soup, and the gravy for the biscuits and gravy has never seen sausage. As many comments have said, why would you go there when the food is garbage? Dolly has spent more money on her upkeep than Cracker Barrel has on its restaurants.

[@annchristianson518]

I’ve eaten there for decades. I ate there a few times when on a road trip recently. The food was substandard and cold, errors on my order and service was very slow. I waited for 35 minutes to get eggs. Also, their portions sizes have been remarkably reduced. When they asked me at the register if everything was OK and I said, “No”. Their response? “That will be $18.55 please” and nothing else. They don’t care anymore.

[@russhendrix9674]

They have made some strategic mistakes. For a while they were really pushing alcohol - this isn't the type of restaurant for that. This upset some folks. Also, they don't open until 7 am so its difficult to go before work. It is definitely not as good as it used to be.

[@dskillzhtown]

I think the alcohol thing is what drove alot of people away. They attracted an older crowd who are the types to come by after church and alcohol on the menu upset alot of people. Not that I care, but you have to know your customer base.

[@2A3A66]

I absolutely agree with the alcohol issue. I have always liked restaurants that don't serve it. When I went into a Southern California CB recently, I was really ticked that they had put in a bar! I made a comment about my dislike of this addition on social media and received some ridicule. It was about the same time a close family member was addressing their dependence on alcohol and their journey to sobriety. So, it hit me hard that a "family" restaurant decided to introduce this as some draw for "new blood" ploy. I mean, what is this preoccupation with alcohol?? Have an iced tea, or a coke, or glass of water with your meal!

[@user-roadwander]

@@2A3A66 I enjoyed having a beer with my meal, instead of sugar drinks, etc. Sorry to the folks that don’t have tolerance.

[@BillLaBrie]

Alcohol-on-the-menu is like crack to restaurant operators. It is insanely profitable

[@jameswood231]

I bet revenue has dropped since introducing alcohol to their family friendly menu.😮

[@kevinwest7912]

Me and my wife used to love Cracker barrel. But their portions got smaller and smaller and colder and colder. We finally quit going about a year ago.

[@garyteague9555]

When you pay that much and leave hungry then it’s not good , Applebees is the same way , this economy is making it so hard

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

A CB is around 4mi from me. I've eaten there maybe 5x in the last 10yr. The chain food quality is lacking. Service is decent but not worth the trip.

[@billjackson5896]

Colder and colder. Pancakes that won’t melt the whipped butter.

[@wolfe1978nm]

Exactly. One my family used to go to for holidays or when other family was in town is now stuffed with tables (You often sit back-to-back with other tables or have people walking through raising their arms over you to get by). Prices have gone up. Portions are much smaller. Many dishes seem to be left over from the day(s) before. Any fried chicken seems to be frozen preprepared vs fresh. Service is terrible, at times it would be 15 minutes before we see wait staff, then another 15 just waiting on drinks. If you ask for things it often never comes. You have to know the secret to ask for biscuits/cornbread as now it isn't even offered by the wait staff.

[@PoeLemic]

Yeah, very small portions. I got there, spend $25+ bucks, and still I'm hungry. Not the same as it was in the past. And, employees know they're about to close. They don't care now.

[@crockagaterx5996]

I used to work for them. I was there for 3 months. The first two months I didn't recieve a paycheck. They use a pay card system, and they put no money on it. They told me to contact the bank. The "hr" woman at the store says "We don't deal with that here, we just do the scheduling." The bank kept showing no money on it. Finally I told them I had better get settled up by the next shift or they would answer to the labor board. What do you know, I was right the next day. After that I found another job so I was working two, so they took me off the schedule. I checked back every Thursday for about 3 weeks and finally just stopped going by. No firing, no quitting, just gone. I will never go there ever again for anything.

[@mikev4820]

As a Canadian heading to the USA with our children on vacations, Cracker Barrel was a special treat on a long drive. Good food, reasonable pricing, the store and early on the rented audio books on tape and cd. The four of us looked forward to the break from the road. Unfortunately the last few times my wife and I stopped the food was poor, small portions, inattentive service, poor cleanliness. Not much good to say about the chain. We will not be going back. I chalk it up to the same corporate greed and shortsighted behaviour of so many big organizations. Just look around at the troubles of so many institutions. The CEOs spend so much time worrying about the share prices and their bonuses they forget about their most important income, the people on the ground buying their products…..

[@brentbeacham9691]

100% American. With its country store full of 100% Chinese made products.

[@ricksomething]

You can thank the democrats for that.

[@brentbeacham9691]

@@ricksomething bill Clinton was the best Republican president since Eisenhower. On the other hand world poverty is lower than ever.

[@davidnika446]

@@ricksomething Just blame EVERYTHING on democrats. Simple! No further thought required.

[@WrldExplorer]

Explain to me how does that work? you’re blaming Cracker Barrel for selling Chinese products. Which is their choice. Everything is always the president’s fault. That store created its business and decided what they want to cook and sell. Where does a democratic or Republican president play a part in that conspiracy theorist? Get out of the basement.

[@ricksomething]

@WrldExplorer Decades ago, the democrat Party wanted to open trade with the Chinese. Before this, the Chinese communists were struggling. Now they are a massively rich country and their goods have flooded our nation. It's hard to buy anything that's made in America. It's the democrats fault, not cracker barrel. You can thank the democrats for destroying our economy. You need to do some research before speaking.

[@kentuckygreg4725]

They cut the portions and raised prices. Haven't been back in 10 years, corporations will be the downfall of the US. Have to have increased profits every year to keep the stock price up.

[@hughjassol-0-]

When I worked in the mall at a retail store, at seventeen, I understood that this expectation of "year over year 8-10% profit increase" was an expectation outside reality.That was 27yrs ago; That store and that entire mall no longer physically exist

[@jonny-b4954]

Yup, but there's only so much growth out there. Especially once you're an established company. They're SUPPOSED to switch from growth at that point to maintain and just providing a good service, for a decent profit, that provides jobs etc. Everything is a freaking public company nowadays too. Not as many private companies. Most are subsidiaries even, owned by conglomerates. The modern day monopoly, basically.

[@2olvets443]

Who the heck wants to pay crazy prices for microwave food?

[@ricksomething]

Probably your mother.

[@chrisw6164]

I couldn’t believe how unimpressive Cracker Barrel was when I went there in March. The biscuits were HALF the size of what they used to be, and they weren’t even ready to go on a Saturday morning. Very odd for a restaurant that was the gold standard for breakfast just a few years ago.

[@richielaxton9920]

My late mother's last meal was literally at a Cracker Barrel in San Antonio, TX. She loved their chicken fried steak. We lost her the next day to complications from Lyme's Disease. Last time I ate at a Cracker Barrel in Austin, TX a few years back, the service was substandard and my wife's food was cold. Good food, good service, fair prices and clean environment is a winner every time. If KB gets back to simple, good management, they'll be ok. This is not rocket science.

[@linuxman0]

My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother.

[@corbinb3992]

The quality of the food severely diminished. The new generation of cooks and wait staff don't put any effort into the service. I QUIT going 3 years ago.

[@deepsleep7822]

Several years ago, Took my wife and kids there for breakfast, 8:00’ish on a Sunday. My wife wanted eggs over easy sent them back twice. Third time they still couldn’t get them right. She ate some items off my plate because she was hungry. We’ve, as a family, have never gone back. Within the last 10 months, my son and I went to a different CB. Was seated. They were busy but no customers waiting to get in. We waited a little over 10 minutes and a waiter never even acknowledged our presence. We got up and left. Will never go back.

[@TheHiredGun187]

This happened to me at Longhorn Steakhouse one time. Wife and me were seated and waited for 30 minutes and noone even brought water. Called the store to complain and they sent me $100 gift card (I still got it too) for a place I'll never goto again.

[@deepsleep7822]

@@TheHiredGun187 : had that happen at another restaurant. Service was really bad, filled out an opinion card and mailed it in. A few weeks later I get a couple of free meal vouchers. I thought with the poor service, you think I’m going back? Never used them. Never ate at the restaurant after that.

[@FatLu-zu2fb]

Sounds to me, the Crackers had very little training and some lousy managers. Just Guessing.

[@g.t.richardson6311]

@@TheHiredGun187 sell it for 55

[@Max_Power_007]

⁠@@TheHiredGun187use the gift card to affect their bottom dollar and give the food to homeless people, you phucking clown

[@The-Fat-Kid]

I used to be overjoyed to find a Cracker Barrel while traveling with the kids. We would fill up with good food. use the clean bathrooms. I would usually buy toys and unique candy for the family. The last time I stopped the kids wouldn’t eat the rubbery chunks and wall paper past that was served. even the corn bread was inedible. The bathrooms were filthy, The staff useless. Gift-shop filled with over priced Chinese, shop-worn junk. Haven’t been back since and don’t expect Dolly to help.

[@NATES84]

I think they went ALL WOKE a couple years ago ,Thats a death sentence.

[@michaelhoffman5486]

sorry bout ur brain rot now back to your very little room member keep foxnews on all the time bye bye

[@tampanativeson]

The rainbow rockers was a step too far.

[@jamestate75]

I stopped going to Cracker Barrell 5 years ago, because they dropped the pork chops off the menu. They never did know what customer service is.

[@Subdood04]

Our local has never recovered since Covid. Last time I went was easily over a year ago. Overworked wait staff, declining food quality and quantity, menu changes, don’t care about the alcohol, but the rest. Nah, I’m out.

[@jeffcrow-i3q]

just for thought, a roadside restaurant on the side of interstates catering to drivers, and RVers hauling 30000 pound campers down the interstate. well by george lets put alchohol on the menu...........what could go wrong. or how about this .........grandma's favorite place to go for dinner after church on Sunday. The CEO and board of directors are morons. service sucks, portions smaller, stuff fried in vegtable oil instead of lard...............thats as fake as dollies hair

[@tonyfair487]

Leave Dolly out of your otherwise spot on rant.

[@mikemaybe5999]

😂💀☠️

[@kennixox262]

Glad you mentioned toxic seed oils. Bad stuff.

[@wheressteve]

​@@tonyfair487Amen to that !

[@Doug-In-TN]

Yes..the CEO and posse are morons, They get paid VERY well..all for running what used to be a great place into the ground

[@ChannelWright]

Dolly is the perfect spokesperson for Cracker Barrel. She’s so thin. She looks like she doesn’t get enough food, which is what you get when you’re served at Cracker Barrel - next to nothing.

[@benavich8]

Lol...good one, CW! 😂

[@johnnybegood9285]

LOL! That was great!

[@markkallstrom5672]

L O L

[@heidiholiday1879]

DEI has killed Cracker Barrel--our local one went with a DEI kitchen manager and the place went to hell--she is still there,but my family isn't.

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Am not surprised. We've been Cracker Barrell loyalist for many years. On our last two trips to northeast Arkansas, we made our normal stops at CB. The prices were through the roof and the food was indistinguishable from what we'd been eating for many, many years. Was certainly sad to see how far down they'd fallen. Had to do it, swore them off. Will never go back. Not to mention the "woke" vibes from management. Go woke, go broke.

[@dskillzhtown]

The main issue is they were trying to change with the times and completely lost their identity. Introducing alcohol to the menu was a bad idea. Having accountants run the place instead of people who can run restaurants has lead to a decline in quality, cleanliness, and morale. I get that the pandemic had everyone hanging on by a thread, but you can't cut corners to the point that it leads to a decline in customer experience.

[@PoeLemic]

Yeah, it's gotten TOO EXPENSIVE for families to eat there. We are not gonna spend $20 bucks per person to eat a simple meal. Then, you gotta add TAXES and TIPS to the meal.

[@carlmorgan8452]

Exactly 100 % correct

[@psalm2forliberty577]

ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON.

[@richardsuggs8108]

Let’s go Brandon! Thanks for the inflation. Prices are up nearly 30 percent since Joe took office.

[@lstuart2704]

It's all unaffordable. Taxed Enough Already

[@mannyistheman2221]

Some locations they BEG for tips at the cashier's stand! That is rude and unprofessional. I don't beg my clients for tips!

[@thomastaylor637]

They didn't pay their mangers well. So they left and went elsewhere. Greed killed the business.

[@tonyfair487]

20 years ago they were some of the best paid restaurant managers out there. If that's changed, I see why the level of service has dropped so far

[@Nttt739]

Corporate failure!!!

[@Bobrogers99]

The cost of food is higher, and a good chef isn't cheap. But when we dine out, we'll pay more if the food is fresh, tasty and properly prepared. When a restaurant cuts corners on food quality and on the cleaning staff, it's not worth the higher prices.

[@photog1529]

Cracker Barrel went woke...the 'rainbow-painted' rocking chairs did it for me.

[@JohnWeems-y3e]

I'VE SEAN IT & IT'S BEEN TALK ABOUT,,, LOCALLY. SAD

[@Wheelman2004]

Oh no, they're gonna turn you gay because they have rainbow themed chairs... lmao what a joke. "Woke" is a meaningless word at this point.

[@Chris-tb1er]

They cut the quality of the food and they cut down the portion size and raised prices. They added alcohol and loud music so you just sit there and enjoy breakfast. The last three times I was there my table was dirty the food was cold so I just quit eating there

[@jeffm8206]

Happens to too many companies. When a founder, who was passionate about starting a business, either leaves, passes away, or sells out to a larger entity, the new management team typically lacks that passion which is required to not let the business fail. Look at Shoney's, and other businesses that tanked once ownership and management changed. The new management teams rely on strictly P&L statements and not good old fashion customer service, IMO.

[@yelwing]

I use to love the place. About year ago I ordered Chicken dumplings. It was cold and tasted like it was out of a can. I thought it was just a fluke, so I ordered it again a few months later at a different location and it was the same. Never again

[@PoeLemic]

Never again ...

[@desertwind306]

I loved their Chicken and Dumplings but the last two times I ordered it I could only find two very small pieces of chicken. Haven't been back since.

[@bwktlcn]

My mom used to love their chicken and dumplings. The last time we went, she got the chicken and dumpling dinner. No chicken in it. When we asked if maybe they had plated the “side” dumplings (which didn’t have chunks of chicken) the waitress said, “that’s how it came out of the package. She wanted to go for Mother’s Day, and they told us there would be a 2 hour wait before a waitress could get our orders, and the kitchen was running behind as well. We said no to 4 hours. She really wanted chicken and dumplings, so we tried again about a month ago. Same stuff, portions even smaller. I’m paying for a meatless TV dinner, biscuits and cornbread that are tiny, almost bite sized , prices triple, food quality awful, and food that’s cold to lukewarm at best. I took Mom somewhere else a local steak place, but she was so sad…she had memories of eating at Cracker Barrel when we were young, on trips Haven’t been back.

[@garymartin5898]

they dont serve adult portions of it at our cb..only on the kids menu and you have to get 2😮

[@danjohnson887]

My daughter applied to a Cracker Barrel in Hilliard Ohio and they basically hired on the spot. They told her the first work day to come back. When she did, they had no idea what she was talking about and then she realized ALL the leadership was new. Every supervisor/ manager left together about 2 days after my daughter interviewed. The new leadership kept promising they'd "get back to her" but never did. Apparently this is not the first time this has happened... Not sure Dolly can fix what's broken here...

[@wanderingweh405]

Dolly?

[@mshank1072]

Run Dolly Run!!

[@goingcagey5991]

Dolly Parton. ​@@wanderingweh405

[@pasubo]

Last time I went, price doubled for 33% decrease in portion. The food quality was awful. I won’t go back.

[@sharonroland9295]

My last 3 times there were bad.The food was awful.silverware always dirty.I am done.

[@Bootyeater999]

The silverware is always dirty coming from a former employee😂

[@PoeLemic]

@@Bootyeater999 Sad that they can't even do something as simple as CLEAN THEIR DISHES, because I've tired of CB. Prices shot thru roof and quality went to Hell.

[@clarencegreen3071]

Dateline, Lexington, NC; Pizza Hut: Dirty floors, dirty tables, "weathered" pizza on the buffet. Now gone.

[@Bill757]

The food, presentation, no substitution rule, coffee on short supply plus inattentive during our meal was unacceptable, like a child's first try. After close to 30 years traveling around the northeast we've never had these problems and we will not seek out each cracker barrel to find the old cracker barrel. You created the problem. Happy? It's sad.

[@Unfluencer]

many, many restaurants will go out OOB in the next 5 years. $20 for breakfast is unaffordable for the vast majority of americans. I used to get the same breakfast for $4 in 2000. how many people are making 5x the money they were making 20 year ago? please do yourself a favor and quit spending money on things you dont need.

[@g.t.richardson6311]

I go to local places .. 3 egg omelette with meat, enough home fries you can’t finish and toast coffee less than 10 2 eggs, meat, home fries, toast, 7.99

[@PoeLemic]

@@g.t.richardson6311 Exactly. THat's a fair price, but IHOP's prices have also went to the moon. I can't & won't spend $20 bucks for stupid 2 pancakes, few eggs, and sausage. Yes, it's $20 bucks now at my IHOP in Houston, Texas.

[@jasonmoore3132]

​@g.t.richardson6311 I mean I can eat at home maybe for that but there is no where in Texas that a 3 egg omelet taters and hashbrowns with toast is $7.99 local or a chain.

[@g.t.richardson6311]

@@jasonmoore3132 too bad there is here in pa

[@millerforester6237]

$20 for breakfast is obscene. Think of what it costs you to cook it at home. Our local Carolina Diner has complete breakfast specials @$7-8. 2 eggs, toast or biscuit, your choice of meat, lots of hash browns and grits.

[@oscar33212]

Having recently visited a Cracker Barrel I vowed to never return for many of the reasons listed: a general state of dirtiness and dustiness, cold biscuits and gravy, even the coffee was tepid at best, and slow, slow, slow service.

[@Whatt787]

Got food poisoning from them, never went back

[@pilotrserra]

We have gone to Cracker Barrel for 45 years. We don’t go anymore because of prices, and they took away our favorite dishes. Our local service and cleaning are excellent . It is mostly the prices. What happened to my Apple and blueberry cobblers…and turkey sausage?

[@mariaw593]

And turkey bacon and getting it all together at one time???

[@VavyLozano]

Totally their fault they forgot that with my money I can go anywhere!!!!!

[@kellispreppingkitchen]

The food quality and service has gone downhill. My daughter worked there for about 4 months but quit due to the poor management (which trickles down to untrained staff). She was great at her job and made great tips but she worked in the kitchen as part of the to go team and they had a broken a/c that they never fixed for over a year and she was getting light headed, was never given breaks. The place was a hot mess, literally.

[@dixieman2864]

I had breakfast at their Londonderry, NH restaurant and EVERYTHING of the breakfast sampler was ICE COLD! When I complained, the manager was so indifferent and couldn’t care less. I wrote that in a review on FB and yelp. I hope other travelers will take heed until they close this trash.

[@tommytomtom5531]

"Do you serve crackers " ? honey we serve errybody.

[@bryanparkhurst17]

I just watched this whole video and really was in shock and disbelief. The Cracker Barrel in my Hometown of Shrewsbury Pennsylvania has got to be one of the cleanest, nicest restaurants in the area. Great food, personable people and it's always packed.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Like most things it depends on how good the management is. Some tolerate anything and others do not.

[@mr.beachwalker7154]

count yourself lucky

[@alabamaal225]

I never understood the logic of offering alcoholic beverages at a Cracker Barrel. A Cracker Barrel is just not that type of establishment; I doubt any beer sold made a blip in their revenue. I believe what is happening to Cracker Barrel is the same as what happened to the old Howard Johnsons restaurant chain - corporate run by executives who rarely, if ever, ate in their own restaurants.

[@chandlerwhite8302]

It’s the highest margin product that a restaurant can sell, and they are desperate for cash. I eat at one fairly frequently cause it’s literally 2 minutes from my house, and never saw anyone order alcohol there.

[@alabamaal225]

@@chandlerwhite8302 I'm actually quite aware of that aspect for alcoholic beverages. In fact many restaurant chains won't open in a city that wouldn't let them have a bar. But, as you observed, few patrons would feel "right" ordering a beer to go along with a Cracker Barrel meal. Corporate desperation is how it came across to me; "We have to do something, even if it's dumb."

[@johnnypowell4650]

That's when I definitely stopped going.

[@johnnypowell4650]

Should have never brought in ALCOHOL.

[@dlgrayskibum]

Our local Cracker Barrel here in Palm Coast, FL has been one of our favorites, especially for breakfast, for many years. That is until recently when the corporate office decided to make yet another horrible and unappetizing change to their menu, and this time, they absolutely RUINED one of their previously famous items... the hashbrown casserole. A few weeks ago I was so hungry for the hashbrown casserole along with some eggs, but what I was served was so disgusting that I thought someone in the kitchen has messed up the wonderful recipe. I had our server call the manager over to our table, and told her how horrible tasting the hashbrown casserole was compared to how I know it should look and taste, and I asked her how one of the cooks could have messed it up so badly. The manager informed me that it was not a mistake, and that unfortunately the corporate office made a change in January that has affected every one of their restaurants because Cracker Barrel has gone to what the manager said was "reconstituted, dehydrated potatoes" instead of using fresh potatoes for their hashbrown casserole recipe. She told me the restaurant has had numerous complaints from customers, and she knew the company made a big mistake but there was nothing she could do herself other than apologize to me. OMG I cannot say in enough words how BAD it is, and I left a pile of gunky hydraded potato mess on my plate! YUK! When I got home I found the online customer complaint area and wrote a long complaint about this issue, and said they needed to realize they made a huge mistake and fix it ASAP before they lose the rest of their customers. All I received in response was a form reply thanking me for my input and a coupon to use in one of their restaurants for more bad food! I haven't even opened the other email that had the coupon. What a joke Cracker Barrel has become... there are so many other wonderful local restaurants here in our area that actually put out QUALITY, good tasting food. Bye Bye Cracker Barrel!

[@GeraldM_inNC]

The hash brown casserole was fabulous!

[@jameswood231]

It was! But No More!!! Last time it was a cold glob of mush on my plate. Absolutely terrible. But I guess if your guests have a couple alcoholic beverages in them, that would probably pass as OK.😮

[@deliveryguy7402]

My story exactly!

[@erikaquatsch2190]

The hash brown casserole used to be the best item on the menu. Years ago, my husband and I would go almost every Sunday morning so that we could revel in that easy Sunday morning taste. Some years had passed and life kept us from going there, then I recently went for my birthday. Oh, no. Their hash brown casserole was not the same . I wondered if my tastebuds had changed because I could not enjoy it. That's why I came to watch this video. Thanks, skibum, for posting this. It explains a lot; a lot of disappointments.

[@311superfly]

I'm in the b section. I think we went to buffet next door. Not bad on Sunday morning.. still hard to believe good taste isn't valuable enough in small town. Quality service is asking too much.

[@leewelchons]

They should quit with the alcohol, that’s all they want to push. The restaurants are dirty and not enough staff but the biggest problem they continue to remove items from menu, they are not willing to do special orders and they want to nickel and dime the customers for every little thing. Once they started pushing alcohol it seems that was the point they lost their way. Every time you go in it’s a new menu, prices have gone up and potion size has shrunk and you wonder why people don’t walk through the doors. When a glass of tea or cola costs almost $4 something is wrong!

[@creaturafauna]

When the Rainbow Rocking Chairs were placed on front porch is when I stopped going there…

[@mannyistheman2221]

WTF!

[@sport07-o2l]

Holy smokes!🤦🏽‍♂️

[@geraldscott4302]

I have never been there, but I heard about that. Now there is no way in hell I would ever go there, even if I was starving. I'd rather go dumpster diving. I still have morals.

[@edhill8341]

The day I saw that CB had put out a rocker for LBGTQ etc was the day I stopped going to CB. Burger King dedicated their great chicken sandwich to that movement as well. Never been back. Funny how both are on the ropes.

[@williamkelly6319]

What's wrong with LBGTQ? What are you? Some kind of prejudice asshole? The real reason they're going down is their food sucks. Who wants to pay $20 for a meal and the biscuits are cold. The muffins are cold and they just don't give you that much. That's the real reason. Fuck who cares about whether or not they're catering to LGBTQ. If that's your biggest gripe then you need to go somewhere else anyway

[@robcrane526]

IF I WANT TO GO OUT TO EAT I WANT TO EAT NOT BE FORCED TO SHOP FOR 20 MINS BEFOFR BEING SEATED

[@skoffco]

Been going to Cracker Barrel for years and I’ve never once felt forced to shop. I walk through the store and to the hostess booth sit down and eat my meal pay and leave.

[@firemarshal17]

The quality of the food has taken a nose dive. Also, the last time I was there, the cashier took a 10 minute phone call while customers waited in line in front of her.

[@jameswood231]

CB Corporate are doing exactly what they are told to do. Stop filling their stores and restaurants with your hard earned money and patronage.

[@jgesselberty]

Stopped going to CB years ago. No matter how many tables were available, you were told you had to wait, because they wanted you to shop the store. And, frankly, their food is average, at best.

[@jonathanrose829]

Money does not go as far today as it used to, That is the problem with all these shut downs

[@okrajoe]

The one near me is still packin' 'em in every day for breakfast. Guess it depends on location?!?

[@ChristopherSeaDawg]

We haven’t been back there in over 2 years, ever since we saw pictures of the kitchen taken by an employee. DISGUSTING!

[@chucknSC]

The local Board of Health or whichever government entity thats inspecting kitchens would be to blame for that.

[@maxsmodels]

I think the pandemic has caused a fundamental shift in the attitudes of the labor force. The shutdown got a lot of people used to not working or not working as hard as well as many peoples dining out habits.

[@sanibel3]

Good observation, agree.

[@chucknSC]

The modern generation isn’t likely to favor CB just like a lot of establishments are discovering. On-line food is becoming king.

[@Classic1256]

This and the overall economy.

[@mynorthshore]

I once had an order of chicken strips fried outside, frozen inside. When I complained to the manager he quipped, "That shouldn't have happened." He replaced the order but no apology. A few years later the family and I stopped along the highway near St Louis just to look at the gifts. We were making a fe2w selections while this employee followed us around commenting on all the items, and offering her opinions. I asked her to hold the items while we looked some more and she did. Then we merely walked out no items or sale...just annoyed. Ain't been back to a Cracker Barrel since.

[@peteman7354]

I worked at Cracker Barrel for 8.5 years. Those years were stolen from my life literally!!! The worst hourly wage you will find. Even after reaching their highest "PAR" level and becoming a skill trainer, my pay was only increased by a few cents a quarter. What "sealed the deal" for me was, I found out people I was training were being hired for more than I had ever made! I completely lost my shit and left that hellhole for the place it was. Absolutely disgusting treatment of their employees. I miss some of the people I work with but I don't miss that place in any way. I haven't been back to one in a very long time and don't plan on it knowing damn well what goes on behind the "old country" façade!

[@3mmdm32]

This is really an interesting post. Been to many CBs and was always impressed (pre-Covidish). I travel a lot. Noticed issues in late 2019 and 2020. The 2020 I just associated with Covid. The next red flag was when they started selling alcohol. That struck me odd on the image. Then things like the bathrooms were always dirty and order not right. I’ve stopped going. This could be the next Stuckey’s disaster.

[@jameswood231]

Oh Suckys, oh I mean Stucky's.😮

[@talkingbird7529]

As former over the road trucker I attempted to eat at Cracker Barrel on 2 occasions and was not served. I sat waiting 25 minutes for the servive and walkout. She ignored me reasons dont know. I was shaved/showered in hotel next door. Since I never went to any of their restaurants.

[@TomSnyder-gx5ru]

I like CB but always thought it was strange that they make eggs all kinda different ways but they don't make omelets!

[@robertallen6710]

Too fancy for hicks/hillbillies...lol

[@jamesharrison9856]

Lost their identity about ten years ago. New CEO, changes in menus both major-started serving alcohol and minor-eliminated cheesy grits. Menu prices increased because business model called for maximizing profits over attracting large numbers of lower paying customers. No longer a family oriented restaurant.

[@arllensmith5958]

We stopped by the CB in Springfield Ohio recently. We pass through this area quite often and we normally stop by, so we are familiar with the restaurant. We were so impressed with our waitress. I mean she was on it. It was over and above. It caught our attention so started noticing all the other help. They had a good lunch crowd so they were busy. It was impressive to watch these young people doing such a great job. They were working as a team and you could tell it. On top of it the food was the best I’ve had in a while and on time. After our meal I looked up the manger and let her know how positive our experience was in her restaurant. I gave her 2 thumps up! Keep it up Springfield, OH. It’s not all doom and gloom out there!

[@roccosophie6498]

My biggest dislike was the change of obviously popular choices. Eggs in a basket for example. That was the reason I ate there! When they took that off their menu, they took me off of their customer list.

[@deliveryguy7402]

Damn, I thought it was just me!

[@bobhester369]

My wife and I loved the eggs in a basket. We used to love going there for breakfast several times a month. No more

[@DJones-xc6cj]

I used to LOVE CB. The food now tastes awful! What a difference the chain has transitioned from!

[@fredgardner2870]

Overcharge on drinks like crazy. Diet coke like $5 . No refills .. pass

[@markkallstrom5672]

OUCH

[@djackson7348]

Business is failing because at the corporate level they are more concerned with proving their wokeness instead of running a successful business. When they jumped on the woke bandwagon, I and many others said goodbye to Cracker Barrel.

[@tonyburzio4107]

I went in once by myself. After an hour, bemused but not in any hurry, I flagged down a waitress. "Hey, did my waitress go home?" She looked at me, befuddled. "No one has been to see you yet?" "Nope." She went to get her manager, who profusely apologized and offered me a free dinner. I said, "Well, I don't want anything free, I'm just hungry." She had no idea what I was talking about. I left for the McDonald's next door.

[@budmartino4202]

Try cooking something edible!!!

[@russellseilhamer4552]

I go to the CB in Altoona PA. The food is always very good there. My complaint is I think they are short staffed. The waitresses are also bus tables and I think it takes away from serving customers especially when it’s busy. Otherwise I love the food and the atmosphere and it’s very clean as well. Hope they fix the issues with the other restaurants

[@phillyfathead]

Altoona, love it spent all my summer up there as a kid great time!

[@T-41]

New marketing programs do not overcome operational shortcomings.

[@jamesschmidt9217]

I’ve left CB three times because no one came to wait on us!

[@mlhobbs]

We used to go to Cracker Barrel frequently but the food has gotten so bad we quit going. We gave them another try about a month ago and the food was even worse. Couple that with the way they treat employees and their politics, we have moved on to other restaurants.

[@Heisrisin3]

I’ve eaten there four or five times with family, it wasn’t my choice, but there is. But their food is substandard. Sure won’t miss them if they close.

[@g.t.richardson6311]

I’m with you, never was a fan … but some family liked it

[@beboboymann3823]

Cracker Barrel is going the way of OliveGarden…….the food is cooked at a central location then flash frozen and trucked to the restaurants to be heated in a microwave. Cracker Barrel should have the most awesome fried chicken…..it’s amateurish at best and is indicative of the lack of quality and flavor of the other “country style” foods on the menus. It’s very sad. You’d think a huge corporation would recognize that closing locations is way more expensive than going back to cooking fresh food the traditional way.

[@jrh80]

As someone who once worked at the Home Office, I can say there is a huge lack of awareness with deflection in the service/operations side. The push is always on marketing and the menu, but the real issue is the poor service and refusal to update for paying tableside, etc. People do not have time to wait in line to pay in a jam-packed store or endless waiting for a server to return to the table.

[@JohnWeems-y3e]

It's a Generational Thing.🤔

[@SeanSandberg-j3q]

Truly heartbreaking! Cracker Barrel used to mean: Great food, great service, great value, and it was always packed with happy customers night and day. Please return the portion sizes, the quality, the great service and overall experience that used to fill my stomach, leaving me satisfied and happy to return.

[@larryclark9920]

NOTICE that this video did not mention WOKENESS................

[@stephensandiford3981]

The Cracker Barrel’s in Brunswick, Waycross , and Kingsland, Georgia are always good and slam pack full of people.i think Jacksonville Fl is the same, unless something has changed.

[@georgiahoosier]

We love the ones in Savannah, but here in Statesboro my complaint list is just about like some of the other commenters. The biscuits are hard as brickbats and when I ordered some greens they sent out a bowl of glop with a mixture of greens and mashed up green beans. The manager looked at it and just looked a little resigned to the lower quality. To his credit he took that side off the bill. Cracker Barrel otherwise has always been my go to for comfort food but we don't patronize the local one anymore. I hope they can get some improvements made company wide.

[@RS-cd9cf]

I been to the Kingsland Cracker Barrel as of last year , it was decent ….they say the Cracker Barrel’s get better the further down south you travel from up here in the northeast!

[@johnreep5798]

No, the Jax locations suck too.

[@jameswood231]

I would rather go to Waffle House.😅 CB like Chick Fil A is so overrated. Menu has grown, Food Quality and Service has plummeted. $20.00 a plate is getting way out of hand.😮

[@stephensandiford3981]

@@johnreep5798 even River city? It’s been a few years since I ate there, but it was good back then.

[@larrydowns6267]

Ate there many times. Last week we had lunch at one and I ordered apple butter to go on my biscuit. The waitress said that they now charge for apple butter……..$.50 😱 Prices, quality of food and quantity have all taken a hit. Stopped at one in North Carolina around 7:00 pm, was seated and a waitress never came. I waited 15 minutes and got up and left! I hope they figure it out soon.

[@johndoe-ln4oi]

I knew Cracker Barrel had jumped the shark when they started offering alcoholic beverages. That was a desperation move.

[@extramile150]

Cracker Barrel just needs to clean up a bit. It's a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also love the store!

[@theresapowell4226]

They quit using Real Maple Syrup( or syrup that had real maple 🍁), their butter 🧈 isn’t butter at all, they stopped serving chicken livers and To Top It All Off they started serving LIQUOR 🥃. I have not eaten in one since the liquor addition to the menu. We wanted a Family friendly restaurant.

[@elelectrotech9374]

real maple syrup is 25 dollars for 24 ounces not even the aunt's syrup has maple.maple flavor perhaps,!