(Nexstar) – Cracker Barrel’s recent attempt to launch a new logo hasn’t exactly sat well with its critics. Many have voiced their disapproval quite strongly.
Interestingly, some updates to the Cracker Barrel website have flown under the radar.
According to a report from Thursday, supporters and CNN observed that Cracker Barrel has removed its “Pride Page,” which highlighted employee involvement in the company’s LGBTQ+ alliance and the Nashville Pride Parade, according to archived versions of the site. Additionally, there used to be a page that provided a summary of the company’s diversity initiatives, but that too is no longer accessible.
Archived information revealed that this page expressed a commitment to leadership development and mentoring aimed at reinforcing and advancing a diverse workforce.
Both these pages were active not too long ago, as noted by the Wayback Machine, an internet archiving tool.
In addition, a section promoting company culture “Culture and Belonging” has also had content removed, specifically a list of employee-led resource groups aimed at various communities, including Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ employees. It remains uncertain if these resource groups continue to operate since the relevant details have been stripped from the website.
So far, Cracker Barrel representatives haven’t provided any immediate comments regarding these website modifications.
A Cracker Barrel spokesperson told CNN that the company had recently deleted “outdated content.” Regarding the business resource groups, they stated the focus has shifted to sponsorships and community support efforts, particularly on tackling food insecurities and minimizing food waste.
It’s worth mentioning that several removed elements from the website relate to DEI initiatives and LGBTQ+ inclusive language—topics that have drawn fire from conservative politicians and media outlets. Notably, former President Donald Trump has worked to roll back LGBTQ+ protections and has pressured businesses to abandon DEI programs, even threatening to cut funding to universities that uphold such initiatives.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that Trump also criticized the new Cracker Barrel logo, urging a return to the previous design. The subsequent restoration of the old logo seemed to validate the White House’s stance on the matter.
