Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
American publicly traded company operating restaurant and gift store chains with Southern country theme across 45 states.
Company Type
public
Founded
1969
Headquarters
Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Stock
NASDAQ: CBRL
Revenue
$3.48 billion (FY2025)
Employees
Approximately 73,000
Primary Market
United States
sustainable sourcingcommunity investmentwaste reduction
About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
What does Cracker Barrel own?
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. operates its restaurant and retail business under a single brand. The company owns and operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states, combining restaurant operations with gift shop retail sales.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. operates its restaurant and retail business under a single brand. The company owns and operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states, combining restaurant operations with gift shop retail sales.
Is Cracker Barrel publicly traded?
Yes, Cracker Barrel is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CBRL. The company has been publicly traded since its initial public offering in 1981.
Yes, Cracker Barrel is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CBRL. The company has been publicly traded since its initial public offering in 1981.
Who founded Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins and Tommy Lowe in Lebanon, Tennessee. Evins developed the concept of combining a restaurant with a gift store to serve highway travelers.
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins and Tommy Lowe in Lebanon, Tennessee. Evins developed the concept of combining a restaurant with a gift store to serve highway travelers.
Where is Cracker Barrel headquartered?
Cracker Barrel is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA, where the first location was established and where the company maintains its corporate offices.
Cracker Barrel is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA, where the first location was established and where the company maintains its corporate offices.
How many locations does Cracker Barrel have?
Cracker Barrel operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states. The company does not use a franchise model and maintains ownership of all restaurants.
Cracker Barrel operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states. The company does not use a franchise model and maintains ownership of all restaurants.
Who owns Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel is owned by its public shareholders, including institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. There is no controlling shareholder or parent company.
Cracker Barrel is owned by its public shareholders, including institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. There is no controlling shareholder or parent company.
What is Cracker Barrel's revenue?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended August 1, 2025), Cracker Barrel reported total revenue of $3.48 billion with adjusted net income of $70.9 million.
For fiscal year 2025 (ended August 1, 2025), Cracker Barrel reported total revenue of $3.48 billion with adjusted net income of $70.9 million.
History of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins and Tommy Lowe in Lebanon, Tennessee. Evins, who was working in his family's oil business at the time, recognized the opportunity to serve highway travelers with a combination of quality home-style food and unique gift shop merchandise.
The first location opened near Interstate 40 in Lebanon, featuring a restaurant serving Southern comfort food and a retail gift store with country-themed merchandise. The concept proved successful, leading to gradual expansion throughout the Southeastern United States during the 1970s.
The company went public in 1981, trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker CBRL. The public offering provided capital for accelerated expansion across the United States. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the company expanded steadily, consistently locating new restaurants near interstate highway exits to capture traveler traffic.
By the 2000s, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. had expanded to over 600 locations across 45 states. The company maintained its focus on Southern country theme and comfort food while adapting to changing consumer preferences and regional tastes. In recent years, the company has focused on modernizing operations while maintaining its traditional brand identity.
In 2024 and 2025, Cracker Barrel implemented a strategic transformation plan to address changing consumer preferences and competitive pressures. The company launched new menu items, updated restaurant decor, and invested in technology to enhance the customer experience. For fiscal year 2025, the company reported total revenue of $3.48 billion, demonstrating resilience in a challenging restaurant environment.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Sustainability & Ethics
Cracker Barrel has established sustainability and ethical practices focused on environmental responsibility, community engagement, and corporate governance in the restaurant and retail industry. The company recognizes its role in promoting sustainable hospitality while maintaining high standards of business ethics across its 660 locations.
Environmental sustainability initiatives include waste reduction programs, energy efficiency improvements in restaurant operations, and sustainable sourcing practices for ingredients and merchandise. The company has implemented comprehensive recycling programs and works to reduce environmental impact across its extensive restaurant operations.
Community engagement and social responsibility focus on local community support, charitable giving, and employee development programs. Cracker Barrel maintains comprehensive community programs supporting local communities where it operates, particularly in the regions around its restaurant locations.
Corporate governance emphasizes ethical business practices, transparent financial reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The company maintains strong governance structures, board oversight, and regular ethics training for employees and management across all operations.
Supply chain ethics include responsible sourcing of ingredients, fair labor practices, and supplier relationship management. Cracker Barrel works with suppliers to ensure ethical practices throughout its supply chain for food ingredients and retail merchandise.
Awards & Recognition
Cracker Barrel has received recognition for restaurant excellence, hospitality leadership, and corporate achievement in the restaurant and retail industry:
- **Restaurant Excellence Recognition:** Multiple awards for restaurant quality, customer service, and hospitality excellence in the casual dining segment
- **Brand Recognition Awards:** Recognition for brand strength and customer loyalty, particularly for maintaining traditional American comfort food standards
- **Workplace Excellence:** Various awards for workplace culture, employee development programs, and satisfaction in the restaurant industry
- **Financial Performance Recognition:** Awards for revenue growth and operational efficiency, particularly during challenging periods for the restaurant industry
- **Customer Service Awards:** Recognition for customer service quality and dining experience excellence across 660 locations
- **Community Impact Recognition:** Awards for community engagement and social responsibility programs in local communities
Controversy, Regulation & Public Scrutiny
Cracker Barrel operates under regulatory scrutiny related to labor practices, food safety, and competitive practices in the highly regulated restaurant industry:
Labor relations and employment practices represent ongoing scrutiny regarding employee compensation, workplace standards, and labor law compliance across 660 locations. The company faces questions about labor practices and employee treatment in the competitive restaurant industry.
Food safety and regulatory compliance includes oversight regarding food safety standards, health department regulations, and compliance with food service industry requirements. The company must maintain strict adherence to food safety regulations and quality control standards.
Competition and market practices have faced scrutiny regarding Cracker Barrel's position in the casual dining market and relationships with competitors. The company operates in a highly competitive segment with numerous chains competing for market share.
Environmental compliance includes oversight regarding waste management, environmental impact of restaurant operations, and sustainability initiatives. The company faces scrutiny regarding environmental sustainability and impact of its extensive operations.
Brands Owned by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. owns 1 brand in our database.
Stock Information
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Focused single-brand strategy allows for operational excellence and consistency
- +Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty across generations for Southern comfort food
- +Dual revenue streams from restaurant and retail operations provide diversification
- +Strategic highway locations provide consistent traffic patterns and traveler customer base
- +Established supply chain and operational systems across 660 company-owned locations
- +No franchise fees or complex franchise relationships to manage
Considerations
- -Highly competitive casual dining restaurant market with numerous competitors
- -Dependence on highway travel and economic conditions affecting discretionary spending
- -Limited international expansion opportunities due to concept specificity
- -Challenges in adapting to urban market preferences and younger demographics
- -Labor costs and staffing challenges in the competitive restaurant industry
- -Need to balance traditional brand identity with modernization requirements
Frequently Asked Questions About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
What does Cracker Barrel own?
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. operates its restaurant and retail business under a single brand. The company owns and operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states, combining restaurant operations with gift shop retail sales.
Is Cracker Barrel publicly traded?
Yes, Cracker Barrel is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CBRL. The company has been publicly traded since its initial public offering in 1981.
Who founded Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins and Tommy Lowe in Lebanon, Tennessee. Evins developed the concept of combining a restaurant with a gift store to serve highway travelers.
Where is Cracker Barrel headquartered?
Cracker Barrel is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA, where the first location was established and where the company maintains its corporate offices.
How many locations does Cracker Barrel have?
Cracker Barrel operates 660 company-owned locations across 45 states. The company does not use a franchise model and maintains ownership of all restaurants.
Who owns Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel is owned by its public shareholders, including institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. There is no controlling shareholder or parent company.
What is Cracker Barrel's revenue?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended August 1, 2025), Cracker Barrel reported total revenue of $3.48 billion with adjusted net income of $70.9 million.
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