Cracker Barrel is responding after a logo change stirred up some controversy.
“If the last few days have shown us anything, it’s how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel,” the restaurant chain shared in a statement.
The new logo was announced by Cracker Barrel last week and featured only the name of the store, removing the image of the company’s “Uncle Herschel” character and the iconic barrel, CNBC reported.
The change, which was part of a larger rebrand for the restaurant, led to backlash online, particularly from conservative figures like Donald J. Trump Jr. and activist Robby Starbuck, according to CNBC. But criticism came from both sides of the aisle — the official Democratic Party X account posted, “We think the Cracker Barrel rebrand sucks, too.”
Cracker Barrel took a hit financially, as well, with its stock dropping by $94 million in one day, The Hill reported.
In its statement, Cracker Barrel wrote that it could have “done a better job” communicating the changes and said that it was “grateful” for the fan response.
“What has not changed, and what will never change, are the values this company was built on when Cracker Barrel was first founded in 1969: hard work, family, and scratch-cooked food with care,” the statement said.
Aside from the logo, the company’s rebrand includes remodeling its restaurants and stores in a more “modern” style, which some customers have also criticized on social media, according to CNBC.
“The things people love most about our stores aren’t going anywhere: rocking chairs on the porch, a warm fire in the hearth, peg games on the table, unique treasures in our gift shop, and vintage Americana with antiques pulled straight from our warehouse in Lebanon, Tennessee,” Cracker Barrel said in its statement.
As for Uncle Herschel, the restaurant said that he will remain on the menu and in the brand’s country store.
“At the end of the day, our promise is simple: you’ll always find comfort, community, and country hospitality here at Cracker Barrel,” the statement said. “Uncle Herschel wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
