Cracker Barrel’s sales are heating up thanks to some major menu changes. The 660-store family dining chain is in the middle of a sweeping 3-year, $700 million reinvention plan, spearheaded by CEO Julie Masino. Masino, a former Taco Bell executive, is working to attract more customers without alienating long-time fans. The plans include interior design upgrades, new menu items, and an upcoming advertising campaign. A major focus for the reboot is the dinner menu. Cracker Barrel has been rolling out new options like hashbrown casserole, shepherd’s pie, pot roast, and a pair of shrimp-based plates, and they seem to be hitting the right notes with customers. Cracker Barrel closed several of their under-performing stores in 2024 when they were on the brink of collapse. Since then, the restaurant has experienced an impressive turnaround, with guests rating the brand higher than in the past on food quality, menu options, and overall experience. Although inflation has been particularly hard on restaurants, Cracker Barrel still plans on a 5% increase in prices in 2025.
