Cracker Barrel has addressed reports regarding a policy that suggests employees should primarily dine at its restaurants while traveling, clarifying that this isn’t a new guideline. The company stated to FOX Business that this dining practice will formally begin in June 2024. While employees are encouraged to eat at Cracker Barrel when possible, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule.
They explained, “Our expectation for employees to eat at Cracker Barrel during travel, whenever feasible given their schedule, is longstanding.” Additionally, they mentioned that employees are free to choose other dining options, noting that this update aims to tighten guidelines around reimbursement for alcoholic drinks.
This clarification comes in light of internal communications revealed by the Wall Street Journal, which indicated that employees might need to postpone work-related travel if they can. If travel is unavoidable, the suggestion is to eat at Cracker Barrel locations. “Employees should aim to consume most of their meals at Cracker Barrel during travels whenever their location allows,” they detailed.
Furthermore, the company is tightening its approach toward alcohol expenses, now requiring staff to cover the costs of alcoholic beverages themselves. Reportedly, any exceptions to this rule would need prior approval from higher management.
Cracker Barrel has faced challenges lately, including backlash about a recent logo redesign that omitted the popular “Old Timer” character; they have since reverted this decision. During a recent conference addressing the company’s financial results, CEO Julie Masino acknowledged that the turnaround process is taking longer than anticipated.
Sales dropped by 5.7% year-over-year. “The last few months have been tough, both for Cracker Barrel and for our 70,000 employees nationwide,” Masino remarked. Although many customers are appreciating improvements in dining experience, she noted that there’s significant work ahead to win back those who have hesitated to return. Despite these hurdles, Cracker Barrel’s stock has increased by over 30% since the start of the year.
