For a chain that describes itself as an "old country store," Cracker Barrel might want to rethink some recent aesthetic changes. Beloved for its old school look and down home vibes, Cracker Barrel has long been a fan-favorite fast casual chain all over the country. But it looks as though times are a-changin' and customers are less than stoked.
Last year, Cracker Barrel announced that it planned to remodel its restaurants, and, as of now, more than 40 of its 600+ locations have been subjected to not-so-well-received makeovers. Once rustic and kitschy with farmhouse paraphernalia adorning the walls, Cracker Barrel restaurants' walls are now a shocking white, with modern, minimalistic design elements that apparently just don't pass the vibe check.
Customers are posting their thoughts about the new aesthetic on social media and, unsurprisingly, people are not okay with the chain getting rid of its nostalgic sense of place. "They removed everything that made it special. It’s giving ‘soulless’," commented one person on a TikTok video showcasing the interior.
"When you fix something that wasn't broken," commented another. "I'll stop going, I swear it," one person threatened.
Similar sentiments echoed throughout the comment section: "Corporate minimalism strikes again."
"The biggest reason to even go was the atmosphere," one person shared.
Many people likened the new design to Bob Evans, with even more expressing their lament for the old restaurants. Luckily, many commenters pointed out that their local Cracker Barrels haven't yet undergone these changes. Perhaps the company will take note of fan reactions and rethink its strategy. If not, the consequences could be "devastating," as one customer put it.
Expertise: Food Reviews, Trends, & Science
Education: B.A. in Psychobiology from Wheaton College, MA, and M.S. in Professional Writing from New York University
About Me: Amanda Mactas is an associate editor at Delish, where she works on feature and news stories, covering everything from the launch of Whoopi Goldberg’s Prosecco line to ranking Cheetos to reporting on the links between tap water and cancer. In addition to Delish, Amanda’s work has been featured in Eat This Not That, Time Out, Women’s Health, Global Traveler Magazine, and PureWow. She also serves as an expert panelist for USA Today’s 10Best Travel Awards. When she’s not dreaming or writing about food, she’s likely catching up on the latest true crime, watching horror movies, searching for a great matcha latte, or has her nose in a book somewhere (hopefully in another country).
