……..and in the ongoing Cracker Barrel saga — the most tumultuous stretch in the restaurant chain’s 56-year history — analysts are saying they believe the whole thing may have been a calculated marketing stunt. Calls for a change started back in 2024, when new CEO Julie Masino told investors that Cracker Barrel was just not as relevant as it once was. Her statement knocked 20% off the company’s share price in one day. There was, however, truth behind her warning. The chain was seeing early signs of stress, including decisions to close under-performing restaurants. Cracker Barrel was running into an age problem: 26% of their customers were over the age of 65. To attract younger families for future generations, executives launched a $700 million campaign to transform what they viewed as tired old restaurants into brighter, more relevant stores. Restaurant walls adopted a farmhouse look, menus introduced leaner options, the old man was kicked off the logo, and fans revolted. The company, which doesn't normally generate consistent front-page headlines, has seen weeks of breathless media coverage on the rollout and controversy. According to marketing experts, Cracker Barrel’s awareness will increase and its sales will likely increase, but over the long-term not much will change.
