Cracker Barrel fans are up in arms about updated decor shown in a viral TikTok video. But before you get your biscuits in a bunch, the restaurant has provided an explanation to clear the air.
TikToker Emily Vougioukles (@em_vougioukles) shared a video from a Cracker Barrel location in Manchester, Tennessee, near the company’s headquarters in Lebanon. The clip, which has garnered more than 3.6 million views, shows diners in a sparsely decorated restaurant with freshly painted white walls, lacking the vintage items and curated antiques that fans of the Old Country Store have grown to love.
She captioned the video, “Don’t tell me Cracker Barrel is going modern too 😩🤢,” and wrote, “So disappointing. I hope this isn’t right 😩 #crackerbarrel #modernization #ewwww.” The post clearly struck a nerve, with more than 8,500 comments expressing dismay.
Luckily, Cracker Barrel joined the comments section to set the record straight. They said, “You caught us in the middle of a refresh – with a fresh coat of paint and letting some extra natural light in. Don’t worry, the decor we know and love will be back up on the walls in no time.”
However, diners should expect some changes on their next visit to Cracker Barrel. According to CBS News, CEO Julie Felss Masino, who joined the company in August, acknowledged, “We’re just not as relevant as we once were.” She indicated that menu updates, price changes, and a remodel with “a different color palette, updating lighting, offering more comfortable seating and simplifying decor and fixtures” are part of the company’s plans.
A representative from Cracker Barrel told Country Living that 25-30 locations will undergo a “pilot remodel test” as part of a multi-year strategic transformation plan. The focus is on refreshing the store in a noticeable yet attractive way that still feels like Cracker Barrel. For example, some locations will feature more comfortable booth and banquette seating, lighter paint options, new fixtures and lighting, and repositioned decor designed to enhance the guest experience with an environment that feels lighter, brighter, fresher, and cleaner.
So far, the Cracker Barrel representative reported, “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from employees and guests in these locations, and their feedback is helping influence future remodels. These steps and many more will benefit guests and Cracker Barrel team members, setting the stage for Cracker Barrel to thrive for decades to come.”
While change can be unsettling, Cracker Barrel assures fans that the essence of the Old Country Store will remain intact, aiming to blend beloved traditions with modern enhancements for a better dining experience.