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Cracker Barrel Brings Back Classic Items Following Logo Controversy (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Cracker Barrel Faces Intense Public Backlash

In August 2025, Cracker Barrel found itself at the center of intense public backlash after debuting its new logo.

The updated design featured a simplified appearance, replacing the brand’s longtime imagery with bold script lettering on a gold background. The most notable change was the removal of the company’s iconic “old man and barrel” emblem, a fixture of the Cracker Barrel identity for over five decades.

Company executives initially positioned the rebrand as part of a broader strategy to attract younger consumers and revitalize aging restaurant interiors. However, the response was overwhelmingly negative.

Longtime customers and brand loyalists took to social media to criticize the redesign as “soulless” and “corporate,” saying it erased the charm and nostalgia that defined the Cracker Barrel experience.

Shortly after,  Cracker Barrel released an official statement addressing the backlash surrounding its new logo and rebranding. 

In the statement, the company acknowledged the strong public reaction and emphasized that the redesign was part of a broader effort to “modernize the brand experience” while “remaining true to its roots.”

“If the last few days have shown us anything, it’s how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We’re truly grateful for your heartfelt voices. You’ve also shown us that we could’ve done a better job sharing who we are and who we’ll always be. What has not changed, and what will never change, are the values this company was built on when Cracker Barrel first opened in 1969: hard work, family, and scratch-cooked food made with care. A place where everyone feels at home, no matter where you’re from or where you’re headed. That’s the Cracker Barrel you’ll always find,” the company said.

Just a few months later, the company officially parted ways with the branding agency behind the logo redesign. Matt Benton, Cracker Barrel’s vice president of marketing, also announced he was leaving after just one year in the role.

Cracker Barrel Brings Back Nostalgic Meal Items

Now, Cracker Barrel is bringing back several all-time favorites, offering guests a nostalgic return to some of the chain’s most iconic dishes.

As of January 6, the chain will be offering their classic “Hamburger Steak,” a menu item since the brand’s debut in 1969, and Eggs in the Basket.

The Hamburger Steak features “juicy, seasoned beef topped with a savory buttery garlic sauce and served with two or three classic sides,” while Eggs in the Basket offers “a nostalgic breakfast favorite featuring two slices of golden-grilled sourdough bread with an egg nestled in the center, served with bacon or sausage and one classic side.”

According to a recent press release, the company is offering the items as part of their “Meals for Two” deal.

“Guests can enjoy Cracker Barrel’s most value-packed seasonal offering with Meals for Two, an all-included way to share returning favorites and hearty comfort classics,” they said.

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