Cracker Barrel suspends redesign of restaurants after ‘woke’ logo flap

Cracker Barrel on Tuesday abruptly suspended its restaurant remodels and promised to keep its cherished “old country store” vibe following a furious backlash that forced the chain to walk back plans for a new logo that cut out its beloved “Uncle Herschel.”

In a statement titled “Your Old Country Store is Here to Stay,” the chain assured customers that if their restaurant hasn’t been remodeled yet, “you don’t need to worry, it won’t be.”

“We heard clearly that the modern remodel design does not reflect what you love about Cracker Barrel,” the restaurant said on its web site.

“We had tested this design in only four out of 660 locations, and we won’t continue with it. Of course, we will continue to invest in our restaurants to make sure that they are in good shape and meet your expectations.”

The company vowed that its “vintage Americana…will always be here – the rocking chairs on the porch, our fireplaces and peg games, unique treasures in our gift shop and antiques pulled straight from our warehouse in Lebanon, Tennessee.”

“We want you to have a warm, welcoming space for friends and family to gather and enjoy our craveable food and country hospitality,” the company said.

Cracker Barrel noted that alongside the decision to reverse course on its “Old Timer” logo, the move to halt restaurant renovations “reinforces that we hear you”

Cracker Barrel launched a $600 to $700 million redesign plan to update all 660 of its restaurants with lighter interiors, minimalist furniture and a new text-only logo that removed the iconic “Uncle Herschel” character.

The overhaul stripped out much of the chain’s cluttered, country-store décor and dark wood aesthetic, though some touches like fireplaces and rocking chairs were kept.

Customers quickly revolted, blasting the look as “soulless” and “sterile,” while conservative critics accused the brand of abandoning traditional American values. After viral backlash and a sharp stock drop, Cracker Barrel restored its old logo but initially pressed ahead with interior renovations.

Cracker Barrel responded within days, restoring much of its visual history and reaffirming that “what will never change … are the values this company was built on” — hard work, family, scratch-cooked food and country hospitality.