Latest news with #CrackerBarrel
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Pro-Trump group says Cracker Barrel's DEI programs violate federal, state civil rights laws
Conservative pro-Trump law group America First Legal (AFL) filed complaints Monday with the Tennessee Attorney General and the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC), alleging Cracker Barrel is maintaining discriminatory employment practices stemming from its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The complaints point to public documents, internal reports, and Cracker Barrel's own language to allege the company maintains illegal DEI frameworks, such as race- and gender-conscious hiring, leadership and promotion pipelines, which provide benefits to employees on the basis of protected characteristics. AFL also slammed Cracker Barrel for rebranding its dedicated DEI website to 'Culture and Belonging,' arguing that the name change did not halt Cracker Barrel from using 'diversity' as a proxy for race or sex. Advertisement 'Americans are fed up with major American corporations serving up DEI as if it is entirely okay,' said AFL legal counsel, Will Scolinos. 'Treating people differently because of the color of their skin or their sex is not only wrong, it is illegal. AFL has fought DEI since the Biden Administration spent four years celebrating and encouraging its wholesale implementation across the country. Now, companies are retreating from the term 'DEI' but retaining their discriminatory policies. Cracker Barrel and other American corporations must take discrimination by any name off the menu once and for all.' 4 The complaints point to public documents, internal reports, and Cracker Barrel's own language to allege the company maintains illegal DEI frameworks. Christopher Sadowski AFL's complaint points to Cracker Barrel's Business Resource Groups (BRGs) as one example of alleged discrimination, outlined in public Securities and Exchange Commission documents, Cracker Barrel's website and other places. According to AFL, these groups offer employment benefits only available to employees belonging to certain races or sexes. Advertisement The 'Be Bold' BRG helps 'cultivate and develop Black Leaders within the Cracker Barrel organization utilizing allyship, mentorship, and education to create a path to continued excellence,' Cracker Barrel's website states. Meanwhile, the HOLA BRG 'promote[s] Hispanic and Latino culture through hiring, developing, and retaining talent within Cracker Barrel.' Other BRGs revolve around LGBT folks, 'neurodiversity,' and women's issues, among others. 4 According to AFL, these groups offer employment benefits only available to employees belonging to certain races or sexes. AP Another part of Cracker Barrel's alleged promotion of discriminatory DEI practices cited by AFL includes the company's focus on 'attract[ing], develop[ing] and retain[ing] high performing talent with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives,' which is laid out on Cracker Barrel's 'Culture, Belonging and Inclusion' website underneath the heading 'STRATEGY TURNS INTO ACTION.' This focus on promoting and hiring based on 'diverse' characteristics can be seen in action via Cracker Barrel's categorization in internal company reports of board members as 'Diverse' or 'Not-Diverse,' AFL points out. Advertisement Per a public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cracker Barrel notes that when 'evaluating potential candidates for Board membership' the nominating committee 'considers, among other things … diversity of age, gender, race, and ethnic background.' 4 This focus on promoting and hiring based on 'diverse' characteristics can be seen in action via Cracker Barrel's categorization in internal company reports. Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Cracker Barrel also proudly touts its Diverse Employee Leadership Talent Advancement (DELTA) program in public filings, which the company describes as an effort meant to identify 'diverse managers who have exhibited all the skills we value in our top-performing managers' and position them 'to advance to their next role.' 'Our new, robust diversity training includes education throughout all levels of the Company about unconscious and implicit bias and focuses on creating an inclusive culture and fostering a sense of belonging for all,' a Securities and Exchange Commission filing discussing the DELTA program also adds. Advertisement AFL argues that, in practice, these policies from Cracker Barrel appear to have achieved their intended effect, with the company's representation of women and ethnic minorities among Cracker Barrel professional staff, store level management and hourly workers, having each increased by at least 3% since fiscal year 2022. AFL said only women hourly staff remained constant across the same period, though Cracker Barrel touts in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings that 70% of its employee population is female. 4 Cracker Barrel also proudly touts its Diverse Employee Leadership Talent Advancement (DELTA) program in public filings. AP 'Cracker Barrel's policies openly discriminate against heterosexual, white, and male employees in favor of diverse employees,' AFL's complaint, which asserts the policies violate Tennessee's Human Rights Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, argues. 'Discrimination advocates — under the guise of 'diversity' and 'equity' — have for years claimed that straight white men must be treated differently than diverse individuals by holding them to a higher evidentiary standard; however, the Supreme Court has directly addressed this claim, holding that 'Title VII does not impose such a heightened standard on majority-group plaintiffs,'' the complaint continues. 'Decades of case law hold that — no matter how well-intentioned — policies that seek to impose racial balancing are prohibited by Title VII.' Through its complaint, AFL is calling for Cracker Barrel and the EEOC to launch investigations into the matter, including a review of internal communications and a probe into whether the company used contractors with 'reckless disregard' to circumvent civil rights laws. AFL is also requesting the Tennessee Attorney General and EEOC enforce state and federal laws that would compel the company to halt its allegedly discriminatory DEI practices. Cracker Barrel did not respond to repeated requests for comment in time for publication.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Cracker Barrel Faces DEI Probe After Pro-Trump Law Group Complaint
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cracker Barrel has been targeted by a law firm seeking to defend President Donald Trump's policies amid allegations that the restaurant's diversity drives are "discriminatory." America First Legal (AFL) has called for an official probe into the Southern restaurant chain "for potential violations of federal and state civil rights laws stemming from its discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies." Some of Cracker Barrel's initiatives to develop employees are focused specifically on supporting workers who are women, Black, LGBTQ+, or Latino, according to AFL. This means they "appear to offer employment benefits that are only available based on an employees' race or sex," the Washington D.C.-based law group said in a press release on Monday. The firm has formally requested that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti investigate Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. for alleged violations. Newsweek reached out to Cracker Barrel via email for comment outside of regular working hours. A Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant in Naperville, Illinois, as seen on April 12, 2002. A Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant in Naperville, Illinois, as seen on April 12, 2002. Tim Boyle/Getty Image Why It Matters The case comes amid a wider cultural debate about inclusion and diversity practices. Trump has been highly critical of DEI policies. Since his return to office earlier this year, federal agencies have rolled back the initiatives across military and government platforms and attempted to scrap them in schools and universities. Claims that DEI in general is discriminatory have been subject to pushback in the spheres of education, politics, and business. Most U.S. business leaders think dropping DEI is a bad idea, according to a national survey, whose findings were reported by Forbes earlier this month. Some 77 percent of executives believe that DEI initiatives are positively correlated with improved financial performance, while 81 percent said that DEI policies have bolstered customer loyalty. What To Know America First Legal describes itself on its website as a "nonprofit law firm founded to unapologetically and boldly defend the rights of everyday Americans." The organization, which has been described as pro-Trump by the press and whose name pays homage to the "America First" movement, stated: "We are at the forefront of the battle for our nation." In a press release issued by AFL law firm on Monday, AFL Senior Counsel Nicholas Barry called Cracker Barrel "almost as American as apple pie," but said it may also be "discriminating against its employees," which, they say, must not go unchallenged under civil rights laws. The dining chain, founded in Tennessee in 1969, has nearly 660 restaurants across 44 states, serving around 230 million guests each year, according to Cracker Barrel's website. The press release said the law firm "has formally requested that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti investigate Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Cracker Barrel) for potential violations of federal and state civil rights laws stemming from its discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies." The law group claims the restaurant "rebranded its dedicated DEI website last year from 'Diversity and Inclusion' to 'Culture and Inclusion,' yet continues to promote the company's apparently unlawful commitments to provide unique employment benefits to certain races and sexes." It says that Cracker Barrel "promises to 'attract, select, develop, and retain high-performing talent with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.'" Specifically, AFL referenced the chain's Business Resource Groups (BRG), claiming its Be Bold BRG aims to "cultivate and develop Black Leaders," while its HOLA BRG is designed to "promote Hispanic and Latino culture through hiring, developing, and retaining talent." Its LGBTQ+ Alliance BRG aims to foster awareness and support within that community, and its Women's Connect BRG is focused on "empowering, educating and engaging" female members of staff to help them "grow their careers." "Even if any employee may technically join a BRG, certain associated benefits appear to be restricted to specific identity groups," AFL alleges. What People Are Saying America First Legal Senior Counsel Nicholas Barry, in a press release: "Cracker Barrel is almost as American as apple pie. Their store is full of classic Americana items, and it brands itself as a bastion of southern hospitality. If Cracker Barrel is discriminating against its employees and trying to hide it, it is failing to live up to its own brand and internal standards. The government should vigorously enforce its civil rights laws and ensure any such discrimination is rooted out and destroyed." America First Legal Counsel Will Scolinos, in a press release: "Americans are fed up with major American corporations serving up DEI as if it is entirely okay. Treating people differently because of the color of their skin or their sex is not only wrong, it is illegal. AFL has fought DEI since the Biden Administration spent four years celebrating and encouraging its wholesale implementation across the country. Now, companies are retreating from the term 'DEI' but retaining their discriminatory policies. Cracker Barrel and other American corporations must take discrimination by any name off the menu once and for all." Elise Smith, the CEO and co-founder of the tech startup Praxis Labs, told Time magazine in February: "Regardless of what you think about the term DEI, this work will continue, because fundamentally it does drive better business outcomes. Fortune 500 companies are trying to figure out: How do we serve our clients and customers, knowing that there's a ton of diversity within them? How do we bring our teams together to do their best work?" Jennifer McCollum, president and CEO of nonprofit gender-equity organization Catalyst, told Forbes this month: "Inclusion has never been a liability — it's a competitive advantage and a business imperative." She added that "organizations committed to the principles of opportunity and fairness behind DEI will be the ones that outperform their peers, retain talent, and build lasting trust." What Happens Next The legal process is now underway after America First Legal filed its complaints with the Tennessee attorney general and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Monday. Cracker Barrel has yet to respond publicly as the case shapes up to be another battle in the wider war against DEI.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cracker Barrel Just Made a Major Menu Update—But There's a Catch
Just when you thought summer couldn't get any hotter, Cracker Barrel went and turned up the heat (in the best way possible). The beloved restaurant recently brought back its fan-favorite Campfire Meals and now, there's a bold new dish on the grill—but it's only available at certain times. Cracker Barrel is firing up the Campfire Steak Lunch. Yep, that's right. lunch! It's like they could read our minds. And it's not just any steak—we're talking a thick New York Strip seasoned with smoky campfire spices and served up with corn and potatoes. The best part, though? Hint: it's not the fact that you can grab quality steak for lunch (although, that's enough good news for us). It's available for just $15.99 Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 4 PM, which means you've got a solid window to pencil in a midday comfort food fix. But take note, the dish isn't on the dinner or weekend menu. After sharing the new menu update on social media, fans and their tastebuds bombarded the comment section in excitement. "Now that's a bargain. Good food at a great price, it's why #crackerbarrel is my favorite restaurant in America," wrote one person. "Ok ok 😮 This looks insane 👌🏼💕," said another. For folks already devoted to the other recent Campfire menu additions (all starting at $9.99), this new addition is the meaty midday upgrade we didn't know we needed. It's everything we love about summer (grilled, hearty, and a little smoky) without the need to build an actual fire or break a sweat. And the Campfire Meals aren't just about what's on your plate. Cracker Barrel is leaning all the way into summer with its in-store shopping experience, too. While you're waiting on your skillet or steak, you can browse their Old Country Store for pool floats, summer games, and other sunny day essentials. Basically, it's a one-stop shop for eating well and embracing those classic summer vibes. You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
The 8 Best Things To Order At Cracker Barrel, According To Regulars
Pro tip: Don't skimp on the Country Sides. You could say that Cracker Barrel and I have had a long love affair. When I was a kid, my family took a few weeks every summer to road trip down South to see my grandparents in the Henson Cove of Canton, North Carolina. Though those car rides were long, there was always one thing I looked forward to: It was the only time we got to go to Cracker Barrel. To young me, Cracker Barrel was the equivalent of an amusement park. There were so many things to see and touch. We ogled at the old-fashioned candy sticks and played checkers on the jumbo mat. We gawked at the sweater collection and begged for Necco wafers. Sometimes, we even got to select a special road trip activity—my favorite was Wooly Willy and his magnetic beard. As we filled our bellies with kid-sized portions of chicken and dumplings, all was right in the world. (It's worth noting that, in 2009, my family was stranded in our car overnight after a blizzard closed a stretch of interstate in Virginia. That next-morning Cracker Barrel breakfast still stakes claim as one of the best meals of my life.) So please believe me when I say that I'm no stranger to Cracker Barrel's menu, nor to its welcoming walls of nostalgic decor and expansive, rocker-lined porch. (To me, that gleam of yellow and brown means a really good day.) It's no wonder that the affordable down-home chain continues to come out on top in restaurant rankings. Here, I've polled friends, family, former employees, and self-proclaimed Cracker Barrel aficionados to round up some of the best meals and menu items to order at this classically Southern spot. Momma's Pancake Breakfast Fans and employees agree—the pancake breakfasts at Cracker Barrel are bar none. Momma's version (widely considered to be the chain's most popular meal) has three Buttermilk Pancakes, two eggs, and bacon or sausage, while Grandma's Sampler Pancake Breakfast adds on a sampling of bacon, sausage, and ham, plus a side. Whether you like an array of Southern meats on the side or consider yourself a pancake purist, regulars agree that you won't regret asking for blueberry syrup or adding pecans to your pancakes. Old Timer's Breakfast If someone asks you to make them a big Southern breakfast, the Old Timer's Breakfast is essentially the meal you're trying to replicate. Now, it's not my beloved bit-of-everything Sunrise Sampler (which left the menu some time ago), but it'll scratch the itch just fine. You get two eggs fixed just the way you like 'em with your choice of meat and a side, plus Biscuits & Gravy. Now, when you pick a side—and I'll wax poetic about this later—you should really go with Hashbrown Casserole or Fried Apples. Just trust me on this. Apple Cider (In A Frosty Mug) And Apple Butter Neither of these apple-themed items themselves constitute a meal, but boy can they round out a breakfast. When the fall menu rolls around and you're surrounded by warm spices like cinnamon and clove, you cannot beat a frosty mug full of apple cider or a side of Cracker Barrel's apple butter spread thickly across a warm, buttered biscuit. You'll have to ask politely for both. (You can take a jar of Apple Butter home from the Old Country Store, too.) Chicken & Dumplins Chicken & Dumplins are Cracker Barrel's ultimate old-fashioned comfort food and one of their most popular menu items. With chewy bits of homemade dumpling and juicy chicken in a savory sauce—all slow-simmered in the Cracker Barrel kitchen, mind you—a bowl of these plus a couple of Country Sides and biscuits or muffins mean that not much else will be getting done that day. And while folks have their own opinions on which 'bread' you should choose, I personally think the Corn Muffins (which are slightly less sweet than you'd hope they would be) don't hold a candle to the chain's Buttermilk Biscuits. Country Vegetable Plate If you're not from around these parts, you might think a vegetable plate to be some kind of raw crudité situation. And if you're going in with health in mind, by golly, you're barking up the wrong tree. Cracker Barrel's fan-favorite Country Vegetable Plate comes with your choice of four Country Sides plus biscuits or muffins. These Southern side options include everything from seasoned rice, cole slaw, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and fried apples to steak fries and pinto beans. The hashbrown casserole is one of Cracker Barrel's most prized recipes (there are whole sleuthing threads on Reddit devoted to copycat recipes), and includes Colby cheese, chopped onions, and a special seasoning blend. Then there's dessert-for-dinner, Fried Apples—remiscent of pie filling. This platter will make eating your 'vegetables' worth every bite. Chicken & Rice—Only Available On Mondays Absence makes the heart grow fonder, they say. You can't always get what you want at Cracker Barrel, which is why there's a dedicated crew who keeps track of their favorite daily menu items and sticks to the schedule. (Saturday Ribs are especially popular.) For a comfort-food dinner like no other, you'll want to show up on Mondays for a plate of baked chicken breast smothered in mushroom sauce over seasoned rice plus two sides and biscuits. Country Fried Steak Country Fried Steak has its own cult following, and one bite might just convince you of the reason. It's a crispy, golden-fried dinner smothered in creamy white gravy—what could be better? At Cracker Barrel, they fry up a USDA Choice steak and top it with Sawmill Gravy, served with your choice of Country Sides and biscuits or muffins. In case you're wondering what the difference is between Country Fried Steak and Chicken Fried Steak, we've got your back. Spicy Grilled Catfish If you're a fan of catfish, you've probably already had a chance to check out the affordable seafood options at your local Cracker Barrel. The restaurant's U.S. Farm-Raised Grilled Catfish certainly deserves a spot on this list for its spicy fillets plus Country Sides and biscuits or corn muffins. (In this case, alongside a fish dinner, you might just catch me giving the Corn Muffins another go.) The catfish is perfectly flaky and amply seasoned—well beyond what you'd expect from a casual chain. If you're more of a fried fish kind of Southerner, you can also order cornmeal-crusted fillets that come with hushpuppies and plenty of tartar sauce. It's no surprise that this Tennessee-born chain—founded in Lebanon in 1969—has found itself with some diehard diners throughout the years. And if you've never been to a Cracker Barrel, well, now you'll know just where to start. Here's a little pre-reading before you go. Read the original article on Southern Living Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Cracker Barrel locations plan a makeover to regain relevance and boost sales
A longtime staple of Southern-style dining is getting a fresh new look. Could a location near you be up next for a makeover? Cracker Barrel, known for its rocking chairs, gift shop and comfort food, has been modernizing dozens of its restaurants nationwide in an effort to boost sales and appeal to a younger crowd, company leaders told The Wall Street Journal in May. At least one North Carolina Cracker Barrel has already gotten a makeover. A Cracker Barrel in Asheville recently completed a "refresh," with the location temporarily closing on June 24 and reopening July 2, according to the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Restaurants chain closings: Hooters closes over 30 restaurants suddenly, company calls it 'difficult decision' Why the changes? In the first half of 2024, Cracker Barrel's CEO, Julie Felss Masino, said the restaurant was losing its relevancy and in order to stay competitive, it needed to refresh its look and menu. The Wall Street Journal reported that the 54-year-old "Old Country Store" chain plans to remodel 25 to 30 of its 660 locations and refresh another 25 to 30 this summer, with the goal to attract more diners with lighter paint colors, brighter decorations and fewer antiques on the walls. Masino said the chain's customer base has declined by more than 15% in the past four years, according to USA TODAY. While some longtime customers have expressed their dismay on social media about changes to the nostalgic decor, Cracker Barrel executives are betting on the new look to attract new diners — especially as many regulars have been slow to return since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the WSJ. Reporter Lizmary Evans covers dining, retail, entertainment and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@
