Cracker Barrel has announced it is halting plans to redesign its restaurants after news of the upcoming rebrand sparked a furious backlash online. The chain said on Tuesday that it had listened to customer feedback and would no longer “declutter” its locations of the Americana-inspired decor that has become synonymous with the brand. “The vintage American you love 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,” Cracker Barrel said in a statement. “We want you to have a warm and welcoming space for friends and family to gather and enjoy our craveable food and country hospitality.” The chain said it had remodeled just four of its 660 restaurants so far, which had been well-received, and also upgraded its menus in an effort to appeal to younger customers. But the firestorm surrounding the remodel, which CEO Julie Feiss Masino oversaw as part of a major modernization effort, has cast doubt on the chain’s long-term business strategy.
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