Who Owns Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel is owned by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a publicly traded American company founded by Dan Evins in 1969. The company trades on NASDAQ under ticker CBRL and is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA.
Parent Company
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Founded
1969
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Who Owns Cracker Barrel?
- Parent Company: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: CBRL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cracker Barrel | Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. | Wholly owned |
History of Cracker Barrel
- Founded: 1969
- Founders: Dan Evins, Tommy Lowe
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins, who was working in his family's oil business at the time. Evins recognized the need for a restaurant and gift store concept that would serve highway travelers, particularly truck drivers, who were looking for quality home-style food and unique shopping opportunities along interstate highways.
The first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, strategically positioned near Interstate 40. The concept combined a restaurant serving Southern-style comfort food with a retail gift shop featuring country-themed merchandise, crafts, and nostalgic items.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Cracker Barrel expanded steadily across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, consistently locating new restaurants near interstate highway exits to capture traveler traffic. The company went public in 1981, providing capital for accelerated expansion.
The 1990s and 2000s saw Cracker Barrel expand nationwide, eventually reaching 45 states with over 660 locations. The company maintained its Southern country theme and focus on comfort food while adapting to changing consumer preferences and regional tastes.
About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. operates as a focused restaurant and retail company with a single brand concept. The company's business model combines restaurant operations with retail gift shop sales, providing dual revenue streams from each location.
The restaurant segment offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus featuring Southern comfort food, including made-from-scratch biscuits, country fried steak, and other traditional dishes. The retail segment sells country-themed merchandise, home decor, nostalgic items, and specialty foods.
The company operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states, with no franchised locations. This allows for consistent brand experience and quality control across all operations. The company employs approximately 73,000 people and generates annual revenue exceeding $3 billion.
- Founded: 1969
- Headquarters: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: CBRL
Where Is Cracker Barrel Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, 45 states nationwide
Cracker Barrel Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition and loyal customer base across multiple generations
- +Dual revenue streams from restaurant and retail operations
- +Consistent Southern theme provides clear brand identity
- +Strategic highway locations capture consistent traveler traffic
- +Established operational systems for restaurant and retail management
Considerations
- -Highly competitive casual dining restaurant market
- -Dependence on highway travel patterns and economic conditions
- -Limited international expansion opportunities due to theme specificity
- -Challenges in adapting to urban markets and changing consumer preferences
- -Labor costs and staffing challenges in restaurant industry
Frequently Asked Questions About Cracker Barrel
Competitors to Cracker Barrel
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave And Busters Entertainment | USA | 1982 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Cracker Barrel competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Stock Information
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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
American publicly traded company operating restaurant and gift store chains with Southern country theme across 45 states.