Latest news with #CrackerBarrel
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
9 Restaurant Secrets About Cracker Barrel
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. With locations in almost each of the 50 states, those in America looking for a comforting, homey dining experience know Cracker Barrel has been a top spot ever since it was founded in 1969. And in the decades that it has been open, it has become characterized by its rustic aesthetic, nostalgic gift shop, all-day breakfast, and other Southern-inspired flair. However, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to this old country store. True fans of the chain would know that Cracker Barrel comes with a whole lot of history and personality, ranging all the way from how it got its nostalgic name to the present-day controversies it has since become a part of. But these miscellaneous factoids tend to get overshadowed by Cracker Barrel's more current front-facing qualities and offerings, such as its coveted Pure Natural Pancake Syrup and the peg games sitting on each joint's tables. These largely unknown facts come together, though, to give Cracker Barrel the charm -- or lack thereof -- it's often associated with having. Read more: 8 Dishes To Avoid Ordering At Cracker Barrel Based On Reviews Early Locations Had Gas Stations In today's day and age, there are plenty of gas station chains known for having the best food, whether it's Wawa with its hoagies or Casey's General Store and its Breakfast Pizza. So while names like these are no doubt widely familiar, it may surprise you to learn that the restaurant-focused Cracker Barrel once sold gas, too. Dan Evins, the establishment's founder, opened the first location in Tennessee as a triple threat; it was a gas station, restaurant, and gift shop. The latter two concepts have clearly stuck around over the decades, and while the provision of gas hasn't, it made sense at the time, considering Evins had worked in his family's oil business prior to then. But along with the mid-1970s came the oil embargo, which had consequences like a surge in oil prices and shortages in available fuel. Cracker Barrel adjusted in response, leading us to solely the food and retail experience customers are given today. A Large Chunk Of Its Customers Are Travelers According to the Cracker Barrel website, founder Dan Evins created the establishment keeping in mind that "folks traveling on the big, new interstate might appreciate a clean, comfortable, relaxed place to stop in for a good meal and some shopping that would offer up unique gifts and self-indulgences." In an effort to provide that, most Cracker Barrel locations were (and still are) placed along highways, offering a quick and convenient stopover for people looking to refuel in more ways than one. Even now, over 50 years since the first Cracker Barrel started up, the restaurant and store still accomplish Evins' goal. It might not sell gas anymore, but it still offers a welcoming accommodation for those driving by. In fact, 40% of Cracker Barrel's customers are travelers. Such a large portion of the chain's patrons coming from off the road is especially easy to picture when you learn that there are over 1,600 billboard advertisements of the restaurant scattered across the country, which is likely what alerts drivers to the fact that they're near a Cracker Barrel location in the first place and reels them in to take an exit. The Decor Is Handpicked By A Team What better way for Cracker Barrel to make its traveling customers feel right at home than with its country-themed, nostalgic aesthetic? The inviting, cozy environment isn't just a result of the eatery's lit fireplace and moody lighting, though. It's in big part thanks to a circle of people who purposefully handpick each piece of decor that you'll find hanging on the walls and sitting on the mantles of the restaurants. It was from the chain's birth that the Singleton family, consisting of Don, Kathleen, and eventually their son, Larry, was responsible for hunting around for worthwhile American artifacts from auctions and flea markets to be used at Cracker Barrel. But once Larry retired in 2019, the position was taken up by someone who had worked alongside him for decades. This team of designers has collected and been sent so much memorabilia through the years that they had to move it all into a warehouse in Tennessee for safekeeping, where there are now over 100,000 pieces of memorabilia. It's from this impressive stash of items, which includes vintage signs, posters, instruments, and so much more, that decor is sent out to Cracker Barrel locations. Each store itself has at least 800 artifacts, many of which are specially selected to align with the interests of the region it'll be housed in. The Gift Store Generates A Considerable Amount Of Cracker Barrel's Revenue Cracker Barrel manages to sell an absurd number of certain menu items every year. For perspective, consider that it serves somewhere around 230 million customers annually. According to the establishment's website, it gives out 210 million biscuits, 75 million pancakes, and 162 million eggs along the way. So naturally, you can imagine a whopping portion of Cracker Barrel's revenue comes directly from its restaurant. But still, it can't be discounted that about 20% of the chain's earnings comes from the success of its stores. The history behind Cracker Barrel's iconic gift shop would tell you that a number of fascinating items have been sold there over the years, many of which have become extremely popular and are purchased frequently. For example, each year, well over 10 million thin sticks are sold. These hard candies, which are a bit over 5 inches in length, come in appealing flavors like peach, root beer, passion fruit, and many more. Women's apparel is also successful over at Cracker Barrel, with almost four million pieces selling every year. And last but not least, the chain sells 70,000 rocking chairs annually. That number is both surprising yet not surprising at all, considering the restaurant's front porch is always lined with these comfy, inviting seats. Cracker Barrel Partners With Musicians If you've ever sat in for a meal at Cracker Barrel, you're likely already aware of the type of music it tends to play. And if you haven't, you can head on over to Spotify where you can find the "Official Cracker Barrel Playlist" shared by the chain itself. It reflects the same vibe of country-rooted, bluegrass, Christian tunes you'd bop to when having an in-person experience at the restaurant. And if you pay close enough attention, the playlist will also cue you in on some of the artists Cracker Barrel has once partnered up with. Customers who haven't taken a deep dive through Cracker Barrel's Instagram page or perused through the gift shop might not have even known at all that Cracker Barrel teams up with singers and bands. But it happens somewhat regularly that the chain will join forces with artists to produce music or create limited-edition merchandise. Some musicians who have worked with Cracker Barrel include Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, and Tauren Wells. One of the most notable partnerships, however, would be with Dolly Parton and Pentatonix, who joined forces for a marketing promotion with Cracker Barrel to sing a rendition of Parton's hit song "Jolene" together. Well, it just so happened to win a Grammy in 2017 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. There's A Secret Milkshake Unlike chains such as Starbucks and Burger King, both of which have a long list of innovative order hacks fans love to make use of, Cracker Barrel's secret menu is practically nonexistent. From its Chicken n' Dumplins to its Old Timer's Breakfast, what you see is pretty much what you get when it comes to the joint's permanent menu. That is, except for one unlisted item, which is a humble milkshake. As simple as it is, Cracker Barrel's secret milkshake is a welcome addition to the store's limited dessert offerings that consist of only a few other options. The milkshake isn't officially listed on the menu alongside them, but you can ask your server if it can be whipped up for you. It's likely that your request can be accommodated, especially considering the beverage only contains a few ingredients thrown together, including vanilla ice cream and chocolate shavings. Foreign Objects Have Been Served More Than Once From fan favorites like Country Fried Steak and Momma's Pancake Breakfast to the discontinued Cracker Barrel items that left us way too soon, the country-themed chain houses a number of popular orders. But there are also several dishes to avoid ordering based on reviews, and that list only continues to grow when the establishment accidentally serves foreign items within them. The worst people usually expect to find in their orders is a piece of hair, and while that actually has been reported to happen in at least one Cracker Barrel location, far worse has been found as well. One of the most infamous instances was when the chain temporarily put a halt to serving burgers in 2007 after a customer in South Carolina bit into the patty and found just about the worst item that could've been discovered -- a razor. In another life-threatening incident seven years later, a man in Tennessee was served a glass of water mixed with Eco-San, a type of bleach used to clean surfaces. As expected, the side effects that followed weren't so pretty, leaving the customer to experience a series of serious issues like diarrhea and frequent cramping. He was given a whopping (though understandable) $9.4 million as a result in 2022. Some less severe -- though no less significant -- episodes have happened as well, particularly related to the restaurant's eggs. A woman in Des Moines noticed a twist tie in her scrambled eggs, and similarly, rapper Kodak Black found a staple in his. Cracker Barrel Has Been Accused Of Discrimination Numerous Times It turns out foreign objects in people's orders aren't the only scandals Cracker Barrel has been accused of. Through the years, the establishment has gotten caught up in its fair share of controversies, with one spanning back all the way to 1991 when the eatery enacted a policy stating any workers who didn't "demonstrate normal heterosexual values" would be fired. Cracker Barrel stayed true to its word and let go of several employees, triggering a series of protests. About a decade later, in 2004, Cracker Barrel was sued for a handful of racist practices toward African Americans, including seating them later than customers who arrived after them, putting them into a different section of the restaurant, and workers refusing them service. The establishment was fined $8.7 million in the settlement and was called upon to change the way it operates. However, it was as recently as 2022 that some Cracker Barrel employees were said to again discriminate against customers, allegedly using the term "Canadians" as a code word when referring to African Americans. Even children have been targeted by the chain. In December of 2024, a group of elementary-level students with disabilities was brought into a Cracker Barrel as a way to further practice social interactions. But that effort was thwarted when they were turned away and forced to get takeout instead. The employees responsible were fired, though the damage was already done. These are sadly a few instances in which Cracker Barrel has received backlash, with the chain also getting into sexual harassment lawsuits and once declining a job applicant because they were deaf. Cracker Barrel Owns Maple Street Biscuit Company Cracker Barrel evidently has a lot of secrets, but its old-timey, vintage feel isn't one of them. As such, the long-standing chain's customer base is mostly comprised of older adults who are 65 years old and above. In an attempt to connect with and reel in younger customers, Cracker Barrel made the move to acquire Maple Street Biscuit Company in 2019. Maple Street Biscuit Company is a relatively young chain that was established in 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. It has now reached states like Texas, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee, among many more, adding up to almost 70 locations in the United States. Well-loved for its signature biscuit sandwiches and loaded bowls, the franchise has become known for its variety of from-scratch Southern comfort food. Sound familiar? So it adds up that Cracker Barrel would team up with Maple Street Biscuit Company, citing their shared value of hospitality as a driving factor for the acquisition. Read the original article on Chowhound.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Cracker Barrel faces new 'woke' backlash over DEI policies
Backlash to corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion policies has led to several major companies downplaying their DEI programs in got the ball rolling in January 2025 as it ended some of its DEI practices and renamed its diversity team as "Global Inclusion team."The company also faced a lawsuit filed by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, objecting to McDonald's and International Scholarship & Tuition Services' HACER National Scholarship Program and asking that its scholarship recipients be chosen on their "own merits and essential qualities," since it believes the scholarship unlawfully discriminates against students from other races and ethnicities. Related: Popular pizza and beer chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Several companies have followed McDonald's lead and renamed or eliminated DEI programs and removed references to DEI in their annual reports, including Amazon, PBS, Pepsi, Citigroup, BlackRock, Paramount, UnitedHealth Group, Constellation Brands, and Gannett, Forbes reported. And now, popular dining chain Cracker Barrel is facing an attack on its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies from legal advocacy group America First Legal, a conservative nonprofit co-founded by White House aide Stephen Miller. America First Legal requested that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmenti investigate Cracker Barrel for alleged potential violations of federal and state civil rights laws stemming from its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, according to a July 21 AFL statement. Related: Popular pizza dining chain franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy The restaurant chain has faced a customer backlash in the past, as in August 2022, when it added a plant-based-sausage option to its menu. It did not take traditional sausages off its menu; it only added a meat-free choice, and that angered some of its customer base, which called for boycotts. Cracker Barrel launched its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy in June 2021, which included an effort to "better identify, recruit and advance strong, racially and ethnically diverse talent," WMAL Radio reported. The restaurant chain also asserted its support for the NAACP and Urban League, as well as doing more to recognize the LGBTQ+ community, in its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. The company in 2024 shifted its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to Culture and Inclusion, focusing on "Culture," "Workforce," and "Business." Culture: to educate, advocate, and communicate to create an inclusive, engaging, culture, and work Force: to attract, select, develop, and retain high-performing talent with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and Build and nurture diverse partnerships in the communities where we live and work, and ensure we have diverse representation in our advertising. Cracker Barrel's Culture and Inclusion Strategy is a 180-degree turn from the company's policies in early 1991, when the company adopted a policy to stop hiring LGBTQ people and terminate those who were already employed by the restaurant chain, according to Forbes. The company's Board of Directors voted to end discrimination against gay employees in 2002. More food and restaurants: Major iconic food brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular Dairy Queen rival franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcyIconic pizza chain's franchisees close multiple restaurants American First Legal objected to Cracker Barrel's Business Resource Group benefits that "appear to be restricted to specific identity groups," according to its statement. It also objected to the company's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considering "diversity of age, gender, race, and ethnic background" when evaluating potential nominees for the company's Board of Directors. "Treating employees differently because of their race or sex is not only wrong, it is illegal and violates numerous federal and state civil rights laws. AFL will continue to fight back against unlawful discrimination in all its forms," American First Legal said in its statement. The organization submitted a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to investigate Cracker Barrel's employment practices, which they allege "appear to discriminate against employees or prospective employees, solely because of their skin color or sex." American First Legal also filed a complaint with the Tennessee attorney general, as well as the Cracker Barrel Board of Trustees. Cracker Barrel was not immediately available for comment. McDonald's: Renamed diversity team as "Global Inclusion team." Amazon: Removed references to inclusion and diversity hiring from its annual Closed its diversity, equity, and inclusion Removed representation goals from Renamed its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Talent Management team as Talent Management and Removed references to DEI in its annual No longer uses diversity tied to race and gender in Group: Removed diversity, equity, and inclusion webpages and adopted terms like "culture of belonging."Constellation Brands: Renamed DEI team as Inclusive Removes diversity references from its website. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cracker Barrel targeted by Trump-aligned legal group over alleged DEI policies
You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. America First Legal — a conservative legal entity led by President Donald Trump's senior adviser, Stephen Miller — issued a statement calling for federal and state government investigation into Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The nonprofit legal group alleges that the company's 'unlawful and discriminatory employment practices' run afoul of Trump's January executive order banning public and private sector diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and programs. Like many companies in the wake of the backlash against diversity policies, which either dismantled their DEI divisions or rebranded them, Cracker Barrel renamed its Diversity and Inclusion website to Culture and Inclusion in 2024, but America First Legal claims the company still has the same policies in place. For example, in Cracker Barrel's Environmental, Social, and Governance report last year, the company tracked workplace demographics like race and gender. Cracker Barrel also maintains business resource groups categorized race and gender, which America First Legal claims is 'illegal discrimination' by a different name. Cracker Barrel has a historic reputation as a socially conservative brand with Southern-American roots. In the early 1990s, LGBT activists launched a series of protests against Cracker Barrel for allegedly firing several gay employees. Since then, the company has evolved away from its controversial roots. Less than two decades later, Cracker Barrel made headlines for barring an anti-gay Tennessee pastor from holding an event at one of the brand's restaurants. Since then, the company has also celebrated Pride Month and supported diverse and inclusive values in other ways. America First Legal filed complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Tennessee attorney general, and the Cracker Barrel board regarding the challenges against the company's inclusion policies. Recently, the legal group has filed DEI-related federal complaints or issued warnings against several brands and entities including Johnson & Johnson, IBM, The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, and Cornell University. Cracker Barrel did not comment by press time on the possible legal investigation. Contact Joanna at
New York Post
7 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
7 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.
