From Early Beginnings to Current Day, Company Stays True to Founder’s Mission of Pleasing People
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. announced today an operation milestone–its 45th Anniversary. Since the first Cracker Barrel opened in a small town in Middle Tennessee in 1969, the company has focused on Pleasing People by providing the finest quality home-style food at a reasonable price and offering a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Cracker Barrel’s philosophy holds true as the company has experienced consistent growth and success since its inception 45 years ago.
A Look Back
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 as Founder Dan Evins began thinking of ways to better meet the needs of people traveling the roads. At that time, the interstate system was still young and goods and services were hard to come by and often not trusted. Evins became a pioneer, seeking to create a country store that served up some real American flavor – a place where guests could catch up with family, friends and thoughts.
Evin’s vision grew into a great business opportunity as Cracker Barrel became the first restaurant to situate itself directly off the interstates, ultimately making traveling easier on the big new highways. Cracker Barrel became the official place for travelers looking for a clean, comfortable, relaxed place to stop-in for a good meal and shopping. Since the beginning, Cracker Barrel stores have included a retail country store offering unique gifts and self-indulgences, many reminiscent of America’s country heritage.
Cracker Barrel realized there was a whole lot more interstate ahead of them and in 1981 the company went public with its stock. Growth continued and today the company owns and operates 633 stores in 42 states.
“Though the business has grown, the important things have stayed the same. Our mission continues to be Pleasing People,” said Cracker Barrel President and CEO, Sandra B. Cochran. “Our growth and success is due to our dedicated employees that welcome our loyal guests every day and treat them like family while serving up our homestyle meals. That’s what our guests have come to expect and have grown to love over the past 45 years.”
Cracker Barrel Facts
- Today with more than 70,000 employees, Cracker Barrel has made a significant economic impact across the nation through job creation in hundreds of towns and communities.
- Cracker Barrel serves nearly 600,000 guests a day, seven days a week. On a typical day, Cracker Barrel uses 70,000 pounds of flour to produce the made-from-scratch biscuits and dumplins.
- Each store is decorated with authentic American memorabilia. There are about 90,000 pieces in the Cracker Barrel Décor Warehouse and another 700,000 pieces of original décor in the stores.
- In addition to creating jobs, Cracker Barrel has given back in numerous ways through the Cracker Barrel Foundation and support of many organizations, especially programs supporting reading/literacy and military families.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its made from scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., and operates 633 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.
