History of Cracker Barrel in Timeline
Cracker Barrel is an American chain of restaurant and gift stores established in 1969 by Dan Evins and Tommy Lowe. It features a Southern country theme and is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee. Initially located near Interstate Highway exits in the Southeastern and Midwestern U.S., it expanded nationwide in the 1990s and 2000s. As of August 2023, Cracker Barrel operates 660 stores in 45 states, offering a consistent blend of dining and retail with a nostalgic aesthetic.
1954: Kraft Foods Sells Cracker Barrel Cheese
Since 1954, Kraft Foods has sold a line of cheese under the Cracker Barrel brand.
1964: Alleged Violation of Civil Rights Act
In May 2004, the U.S. Justice Department filed a suit against Cracker Barrel, after its own investigation had found evidence that the company allegedly violated Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against minority customers at its restaurants.
1969: Cracker Barrel Founded
In 1969, Dan Evins, a representative for Shell Oil, founded Cracker Barrel as a restaurant and gift store concept to improve gasoline sales. The name was inspired by barrels of soda crackers found in small-town stores in the early 1900s.
February 1970: Cracker Barrel Incorporated
In February 1970, Dan Evins incorporated Cracker Barrel, leading to the opening of more locations.
1977: Yoders' Cracker Barrel Visits Begin
From 1977 to 2017, Ray and Wilma Yoder visited 644 Cracker Barrel locations, driving more than 5 million miles.
1979: Singleton's role in decorating
In 1979, Don and Kathleen Singleton ended their decorating services with Cracker Barrel.
1981: Cracker Barrel Became a Publicly Traded Company
In 1981, Cracker Barrel became a publicly traded company to raise funds for expansion, floating more than half a million shares and raising $10.6 million.
1987: Cracker Barrel Chain Expansion
By 1987, Cracker Barrel had grown into a chain of more than 50 units in eight states, with annual net sales of almost $81 million.
March 1991: Policy Against "Non-Heterosexual Values" Ended
In March 1991, Cracker Barrel ended its policy of dismissing employees who did not display "normal heterosexual values" after facing demonstrations by gay rights groups. The company stated it would not discriminate based on sexual orientation, and the founder described the policy as a mistake.
1992: Cracker Barrel Market Value Reaches $1 Billion
By 1992, Cracker Barrel had attained a $1 billion market value.
1992: Proposal to Add Sexual Orientation to Non-Discrimination Policy
In 1992, the New York City Employees Retirement System, a major shareholder, put forward proposals to add sexual orientation to the company's non-discrimination policy.
1993: Cracker Barrel's Revenue
In 1993, Cracker Barrel's revenue was nearly twice that of any other family restaurant.
1993: Defeat of Non-Discrimination Policy Proposal
In 1993, an early proposal to add sexual orientation to the company's non-discrimination policy was defeated with 77 percent against, 14 percent in support, and 9 percent abstaining.
1994: Cracker Barrel Tested Corner Market and Expanded Menu
In 1994, Cracker Barrel tested a carry-out-only store, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Corner Market, and expanded into new markets, adding regional dishes to its menus.
1995: Cracker Barrel Closed First Location
In 1995, Cracker Barrel closed its first location on American Way in Memphis, Tennessee, due to it no longer meeting the company's standards.
September 1997: Cracker Barrel Had 314 Restaurants
By September 1997, Cracker Barrel had 314 restaurants and aimed to increase the number of stores by approximately 50 per year over the following five years. The firm closed its Corner Market operations in 1997 and refocused on its restaurant and gift store locations.
1998: First Cracker Barrel Not Near a Highway Opened
In 1998, Cracker Barrel opened its first restaurant and gift store not located near a highway in Dothan, Alabama.
1999: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500
From 1999, Cracker Barrel sponsored the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
1999: Cracker Barrel's Corporate Headquarters Move
In 1999, Cracker Barrel started using Mitchell House, purchased in 1997 and restored for two million dollars, as its corporate headquarters.
1999: Federal Lawsuit Filed in Georgia
In 1999, a federal lawsuit was filed against Cracker Barrel in Georgia by a group of employees who claimed the company had discriminated against them on the grounds of race. The NAACP supported this lawsuit.
2000: Cracker Barrel Addressed Staffing and Infrastructure Issues
In 2000, Cracker Barrel addressed staffing and infrastructure issues related to rapid growth by implementing a more rigorous recruitment strategy.
2001: Cracker Barrel Introduced New Technology
In 2001, Cracker Barrel introduced new technology, including an order-placement system, to address staffing and infrastructure issues.
2001: Michael Woodhouse Succeeded Dan Evins
In 2001, Michael Woodhouse succeeded Dan Evins as leader of Cracker Barrel.
2001: Federal Lawsuit Filed in Georgia
In 2001, a federal lawsuit was filed against Cracker Barrel in Georgia by customers claiming the company had discriminated against them on the grounds of race. The NAACP supported this lawsuit.
2001: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500
Until 2001, Cracker Barrel sponsored the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
2002: Sexual Orientation Added to Non-Discrimination Policy
In 2002, a proposal to add sexual orientation to Cracker Barrel's non-discrimination policy was successful, with 58 percent of company shareholders voting in favor of the addition.
January 2003: Recommendation Against Class-Action Status
In January 2003, a federal magistrate recommended that the lawsuit brought by employees in 1999 not be given class-action status.
May 2004: U.S. Justice Department Lawsuit and Settlement
In May 2004, the U.S. Justice Department filed a suit against Cracker Barrel after an investigation found evidence that the company discriminated against minority customers. Cracker Barrel settled the lawsuit by signing a five-year agreement to introduce nondiscrimination policies and procedures.
2004: Cracker Barrel Sponsorship of the Grand Ole Opry
From 2004, Cracker Barrel became the first presenting sponsor of the Grand Ole Opry, making connections within the Nashville music industry.
2004: Settlement of Lawsuits
In September 2004, Cracker Barrel settled both the 1999 employee lawsuit and the 2001 customer lawsuit.
2005: Support After Hurricane Katrina
In 2005, Cracker Barrel supported the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
2006: Cracker Barrel Updated Marketing
In 2006, Cracker Barrel updated its marketing, changing the design of its highway billboard advertisements to include images of menu items.
2008: Increase in Corporate Equality Index Rating
In 2008, Cracker Barrel began increasing its rating in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index by adding sexual orientation non-discrimination policies and training programs.
2009: Cracker Barrel and Dolly Parton Collaboration
In 2009, Cracker Barrel first worked with Dolly Parton on the collector's edition of her album "Backwoods Barbie".
2009: Collaboration with Alan Jackson
In 2009, Cracker Barrel worked with Alan Jackson to release the album "Songs of Love and Heartache" along with a collectible collection.
2009: End of Grand Ole Opry Sponsorship
Until 2009, Cracker Barrel was the first presenting sponsor of the Grand Ole Opry, making connections within the Nashville music industry.
2010: Support After Nashville Flooding
In 2010, Cracker Barrel supported Nashville after severe flooding.
2010: Zagat Survey Named Cracker Barrel Best Breakfast
In 2010, the Zagat survey named Cracker Barrel the "Best Breakfast".
September 2011: Sandra B. Cochran Became CEO and President
In September 2011, Sandra B. Cochran became Cracker Barrel's CEO and president.
2011: Cracker Barrel Opened More Than 600 Restaurants
By 2011, Cracker Barrel had opened more than 600 restaurants in 42 states.
2011: Biglari Holdings Purchase of Shares
In 2011, Sardar Biglari purchased shares of Cracker Barrel through his company Biglari Holdings Inc. and began being critical of the company's management.
2011: The Oak Ridge Boys album release
In 2011, The Oak Ridge Boys recorded a 30th anniversary edition of their album "It's Only Natural" for Cracker Barrel.
2011: Awards and Recognition
In 2011, the Zagat survey named Cracker Barrel the "Best Breakfast", and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America presented Cracker Barrel with the OBIE Hall of Fame Award.
November 2012: Licensing Agreement with Smithfield Foods
In November 2012, Cracker Barrel licensed its name to Smithfield Foods' John Morrell Division to sell a line of meat products through retail channels.
February 2013: Trademark-Infringement Lawsuit by Kraft Foods
In February 2013, Kraft Foods filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit against Cracker Barrel, after it licensed its name to Smithfield Foods and they announced they would be selling meat products. Kraft asked that the Smithfield Foods deal be nullified. Ultimately, Cracker Barrel agreed to sell its products under the brand name "CB Old Country Store".
2013: CB Old Country Store Products Sold in Grocery Stores
Following a 2013 trademark-infringement lawsuit brought by Kraft Foods, Cracker Barrel licensed products are sold in grocery stores under the name "CB Old Country Store".
2013: Cracker Barrel's Corporate Headquarters Move
In 2013, Cracker Barrel stopped using Mitchell House as its corporate headquarters.
2016: Adoption of Pro-LGBT Stance
Beginning in 2016, Cracker Barrel adopted a pro-LGBT stance, developing an internal diversity council which included LGBT members.
August 2017: Yoders Celebrated at Cracker Barrel Opening
In August 2017, Cracker Barrel flew Ray and Wilma Yoder to the grand opening of its 645th restaurant in Tualatin, Oregon, and presented them with custom aprons and rocking chairs.
2017: First West Coast Store Opened
In 2017, Cracker Barrel's first store on the West Coast opened in Tualatin, Oregon.
2017: Grammy Award for Jolene Remix
In 2017, Dolly Parton and Pentatonix won a Grammy Award for their remix of Parton's song "Jolene", which was part of a Cracker Barrel collaboration.
2017: Sponsorship of Out & Equal
Since 2017, Cracker Barrel has sponsored Out & Equal, a workplace-equality non-profit organization.
2018: Number of Items Stored in Cracker Barrel's Warehouse
As of 2018, Cracker Barrel's Tennessee warehouse held more than 90,000 items used for decoration.
2019: 'Five Decades, One Voice' Campaign
In 2019, Cracker Barrel launched its 'Five Decades, One Voice' campaign, highlighting female country music singers and producing covers of classic country songs.
2019: Cracker Barrel Purchased Maple Street Biscuit Company
In 2019, Cracker Barrel purchased Maple Street Biscuit Company for $36 million cash.
2019: Larry Singleton's retirement
In 2019, Larry Singleton, son of Don and Kathleen Singleton, retired from his role decorating Cracker Barrel stores.
September 2020: Alcohol added to the Cracker Barrel menu
In September 2020, Cracker Barrel permanently added alcohol to its menu.
2020: Fifth Attempt by Biglari to Join Board
Between 2011 and 2020, Sardar Biglari made five attempts to join Cracker Barrel's board of directors, which the company resisted.
2020: Collaboration on 'More Hearts Than Mine'
In 2020, Cracker Barrel brought together Ingrid Andress, Kimberly Schlapman, and Karen Fairchild to collaborate on a version of Andress' song "More Hearts Than Mine."
2020: Parton at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
In 2020, Dolly Parton performed as part of Cracker Barrel's appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
November 2021: Food for Families Initiative Launched
In November 2021, Cracker Barrel launched an initiative called Food for Families aimed at addressing food insecurity, hunger, and reducing food waste in rural and underserved communities and in middle Tennessee. This was in addition to a new partnership with the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Foundation and Feeding America.
2021: Increase in Corporate Equality Index Rating
By 2021, Cracker Barrel had raised its rating in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index to 80.
2022: Agreement with Biglari
In 2022, Cracker Barrel entered into an agreement with Sardar Biglari, where the restaurant chain would appoint Biglari's preferred nominee, Jody Bilney, for the board of directors and provide compensation. Mutual non‑disparagement and standstill agreements were also entered into.
August 10, 2023: Cracker Barrel operates 660 stores in 45 states
On August 10, 2023, Cracker Barrel operated 660 stores in 45 states.
August 2023: Julie Felss Masino Named CEO
In August 2023, Julie Felss Masino was named as Sandra Cochran's successor as Cracker Barrel CEO.
2023: Cracker Barrel Q2 Revenue
In Q2 2023, Cracker Barrel reported $933.9 million in revenues; takeout, delivery, and catering made up 23% of sales.
May 2024: Cracker Barrel Customer Base Decline
In May 2024, Cracker Barrel revealed that 16% of their customer base had not returned since 2020.
2024: Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
In 2024, Cracker Barrel served a Thanksgiving dinner including roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing and gravy, country green beans, sweet potato casserole with pecans, and cranberry relish, with buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins and pumpkin pie.
2025: Cracker Barrel 400
Since 2025, Cracker Barrel sponsors the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
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