{"id":2636812,"date":"2026-07-28T16:10:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T20:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cracker-barrel-ceo-out-after-alienating-loyal-customers-with-controversial-changes\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T16:11:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T20:11:34","slug":"cracker-barrel-ceo-out-after-alienating-loyal-customers-with-controversial-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cracker-barrel-ceo-out-after-alienating-loyal-customers-with-controversial-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Cracker Barrel CEO Out After Alienating Loyal Customers with Controversial Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcracker-barrel-ceo-out-after-alienating-loyal-customers-with-controversial-changes%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636812&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino is departing after a three-year tenure marked by a poorly received rebranding effort. Her changes included logo modifications,interior updates,and menu revamps,culminating in a logo rollout last August that caused teh company&#8217;s stock to drop substantially and its market value to decrease by $100 million. The brand&#8217;s stock remains about 18% below its previous levels. Masino, aged 55, will be replaced by David Deno, a seasoned executive from the restaurant and retail industry. Following the controversy, Cracker Barrel reversed some rebranding decisions and reported better third-quarter results driven by operational and cost strategies, though overall traffic and sales still declined compared to previous periods. Public figures, including former President Donald Trump, commented on the controversy, suggesting the company should revert to its original branding to regain favor and market success.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino is stepping down after a three-year tenure following her disastrous attempt at rebranding, from which the iconic restaurant chain still has not fully recovered.<\/p>\n<p>Masino\u2019s rebrand included removing \u201cOld Timer\u201d from the company logo, taking down nostalgia pieces from the walls, lightening the interior color scheme, and changing the menu, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/cracker-barrel-ceo-julie-masino-to-step-down-66ef5937\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Wall Street Journal<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>The rollout of Cracker Barrel\u2019s new logo last August particularly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/prominent-cracker-barrel-investor-warned-execs-walking-textbook-trap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">did not go well,<\/a> with the stock falling from a closing of $58.80 to $50.54 the following day, resulting in a $100 million market value loss.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">This logo change feels like a war crime<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BasedMikeLee\/status\/1958313179509088386?\">August 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>  Cracker Barrel\u2019s stock is still down about 18 percent from a year ago, well below its pre-rebranding levels, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxbusiness.com\/markets\/new-ceo-inherits-cracker-barrel-still-recovering-from-rebrand-backlash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox Business<\/a> said.<\/p>\n<p>Masino, 55, is due to leave her position as CEO on Aug. 10, replaced by David Deno.<\/p>\n<p>Deno, 69, is the former chief executive of Outback Steakhouse owner Bloomin\u2019 Brands and has 40 years of experience in retail and restaurants, including leadership positions at Best Buy and Yum Brands, parent company of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger &#038; Grill, according to The Wall Street Journal.<\/p>\n<p>Cracker Barrel has shown recent signs of improvement. The company quickly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/prominent-cracker-barrel-investor-warned-execs-walking-textbook-trap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reversed course<\/a> on rebranding last summer and went into damage-control mode.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">PREDICTION: Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino will be fired by Dec 31, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Bookmark this. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4kyGOCN7gC\">pic.twitter.com\/4kyGOCN7gC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Gunther Eagleman\u2122 (@GuntherEagleman) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GuntherEagleman\/status\/1959399187633869088?\">August 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,\u201d the restaurant chain said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/prominent-cracker-barrel-investor-warned-execs-walking-textbook-trap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement<\/a> to Fox Business at the time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our \u2018Old Timer\u2019 will remain. At Cracker Barrel, it\u2019s always been \u2014 and always will be \u2014 about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On Cracker Barrel\u2019s recent earnings call, Masino said, \u201cQ3 results exceeded our expectations, driven by our operating and cost actions, while guest-facing metrics continue to improve, and position us for further traffic recovery,\u201d Fox Business reported.<\/p>\n<p>Cracker Barrel CFO Craig Pommells added, \u201cComparable store restaurant sales decreased 2.6%, which included a traffic decline of 6.7%.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough traffic remained negative, we are encouraged by the gradual improvement in the underlying trend,\u201d Pommells said.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-weighs-cracker-barrel-controversy-says-company-great-opportunity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">weighed in<\/a> on the Cracker Barrel controversy last summer, arguing the restaurant chain could turn it to its advantage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCracker Barrel should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before,\u201d he posted on .<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Donald Trump  Post 10:39 AM EST 08\/26\/25 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iKlVBfAsRY\">pic.twitter.com\/iKlVBfAsRY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From  (@TrumpDailyPosts) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TrumpDailyPosts\/status\/1960357940902371456?\">August 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey got a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity if they play their cards right. Very tricky to do, but a great opportunity. Have a major News Conference today. Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER again.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino resigns after failed rebranding efforts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2636813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Cracker-Barrel-CEO-out.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50913,50410,60803,68339,52063],"class_list":["post-2636812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ceo-2","tag-controversy-2","tag-cracker-barrel","tag-customer-loyalty","tag-leadership-changes"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Cracker-Barrel-CEO-out.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636812"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636815,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636812\/revisions\/2636815"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}