Originally published on 8/19/25

Cracker Barrel recently announced that it would be remodeling several locations across the country in an attempt to make them “lighter and even more welcoming than they already are,” according to a Fox News interview with chief marketing officer Sarah Moore. The franchise has been open since 1969, and is a fan favorite because of its nostalgic midwestern feel, which people online are claiming is now gone due to the remodel. We have everything you need to know about both the redesign and the history of the franchise below. 

What’s changing at Cracker Barrel restaurants

The Cracker Barrel changes have been in the works for a while. There was even an Instagram video back in 2024 that showcased how the rebranded franchise will look. It was shown to be more organized, clean, less colorful and had better lighting. They also added some features to the ceiling that they claim will make it quieter in their dining areas. 

Naturally, fans of the franchise had some thoughts, commenting things like “Now you look like everyone else—Bland and Boring Barrel” and “I’m not sure I can visit the shop and feel like I need to buy everything when it’s lost its warmth.” 

Others, however, loved it, saying things like “Wow, it looks a lot better. Modern yet charming,” and “The old stuff was interesting, but how many times can I be amused by an old can of tomatoes. No more dining with dusty artifacts over my head. I’m there.”

Along with the interior design, the company has also redesigned the logo, taking away the Western man and the barrel. However, it was later revealed an email to Woman’s World  that the “logo evolution took the literal barrel and flipped it on its side – it’s not gone at all, it’s actually the star of the show. The entire logo is barrel-shaped.”

You can see a before and after below.

Even with the changes, Moore assured fans of the franchise in the same Fox News interview that “Items like our rocking chairs, our biscuits, our peg games, antiquities on the wall, none of that is going away. We’re just looking at ways to freshen up the experience so that we can open our door a bit wider for more guests.”

She also said that they are listening to what people are saying online and that the company as a whole takes “feedback from all channels very seriously. So, throughout this past year, when we talk about testing and all the development we’ve been doing, we have constantly pulsed various guest segments along the way.”

Cracker Barrel’s new menu items you can try now

This fall, Cracker Barrel will be releasing several new breakfast, lunch, dinner, drink and dessert items. Some highlights include Sausage & Egg Hashbrown Casserole, Butter Pecan French Toast Bake, Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie, Slow-Braised Pot Roast, Butter Pecan Sticky Buns, Cinnamon Roll Skillet and a Brown Sugar Latte.

They will also be bringing back Uncle Herschel’s Favorite.

“Back by popular demand, this beloved, fan-favorite includes two eggs cooked to order with your choice of Sugar Cured Ham, Country Ham, Grilled or Fried Catfish Fillet, Crispy Tender Dippers or – for the first time ever – a premium New York Strip Steak available for an upgrade, served with Hashbrown Casserole or Fried Apples, Buttermilk Biscuits, Sawmill Gravy and Grits,” reads the companies press release.

All of these items and more are available starting today, and it’s unclear how long they will stay. You can view the whole menu here.

The history of Cracker Barrel’s nostalgic appeal

Cracker Barrel was founded in Lebanon, Tenn., by Dan Evins and Tommy Lowe in 1969. Originally, it was both a place for food and gas; however, they have since left the oil industry behind and dived headfirst into food. 

Currently, the franchise is worth over $1.2 billion and has over 600 locations in 44 states. They source most of their ingredients in the United States, and even handwrite some of their menus, something that was started by one of the founders. 

“The menu’s handwriting had intentional misspellings and folksy phrases, which was Dan’s [Evins] idea,” reads its website. “His original vision was to make them look like a brown paper bag, reminiscent of those you would get at a country store. Guests could take the menus with them as souvenirs and something they could pass along to others.” 

Along with food, the restaurant chain also has a Grammy award, which they earned in 2017 for their remake of “Jolene” featuring Dolly Parton and Pentatonix. 

Parton even admitted in 2024 that she and her goddaughter Miley Cyrus have “always loved going to the Cracker Barrel.” 

“She (Cyrus) called me one day and said, ‘I have to stop eating all that, because I’ve got to look better, I’ve got to be healthier,’ and ‘I’ve got to do this and do that,’ but we’re just country girls.”

So are we, Parton! So are we! 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/food-recipes/food-news/cracker-barrels-new-look-and-menu-have-fans-divided-boring-barrel-or-modern-yet-charming