Cracker Barrel mentioned Tuesday will probably be going again to its outdated emblem, amid a public backlash to the restaurant and nation retailer’s recent logo change and redesign.
“We thank our visitors for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We mentioned we might pay attention, and now we have. Our new emblem goes away and our ‘Previous Timer’ will stay,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement, referring to the traditional illustration of a person, often known as Uncle Herschel.
“At Cracker Barrel, it’s at all times been — and at all times will likely be — about serving up scrumptious meals, heat welcomes, and the type of nation hospitality that seems like household,” the assertion continued.
The outside of a Cracker Barrel restaurant and retailer.
Cracker Barrel
The announcement comes after mounting controversy surrounding the brand new emblem, which had foregone the illustration of Uncle Hershel in favor of a simplified text-only emblem.
President Donald Trump weighed in earlier Tuesday, arguing the corporate ought to convey again the outdated emblem.
“Cracker Barrel ought to return to the outdated emblem, admit a mistake based mostly on buyer response (the final word Ballot), and handle the corporate higher than ever earlier than,” Trump wrote in a social media publish. “They bought a Billion {Dollars} value of free publicity in the event that they play their playing cards proper. Very tough to do, however a fantastic alternative. Have a serious Information Convention right this moment. Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER once more.”
He added, “Keep in mind, in only a quick time period I made the US of America the ‘HOTTEST’ Nation wherever within the World. One yr in the past, it was ‘DEAD.’ Good luck!”
After Cracker Barrel introduced will probably be reverting again to the outdated emblem, Trump weighed in once more, saying “congratulations” for the change.
“Your whole followers very a lot recognize it,” he mentioned on social media. “Good luck into the long run. Make a lot of cash and, most significantly, make your clients glad once more!”
The outdated company emblem for Cracker Barrel (left) and their newly unveiled emblem.
Cracker Barrel
The controversy first started after Cracker Barrel debuted a number of newly remodeled restaurant areas final yr, swapping its outdated nation retailer aesthetic for a brighter, extra trendy Southern nation theme. The redesigned areas provide new seating, lighting and bookcases, sustaining beloved signature objects like outsized stone fireplaces and mounted taxidermy deer heads.
Backlash to the brand new look and redesigned emblem was swift, with some social media customers questioning whether or not it signifies a departure from Cracker Barrel’s roots and others critiquing the fashionable design decisions.
Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino beforehand defended the redesign efforts in an interview with “Good Morning America” earlier this month, stating on the time that public suggestions to the corporate’s reworked areas had up to now been “overwhelmingly constructive.”
“Individuals like what we’re doing,” Masino mentioned on the time. “Cracker Barrel must really feel just like the Cracker Barrel for right this moment and for tomorrow — the issues that you just love are nonetheless there. We want folks to decide on us, and we would like folks to decide on us.”
“The excitement is so good, not solely from our clients, however from our crew,” she added.
Eariler this week, Cracker Barrel issued a statement on its web site addressing the response to the brand change.
“If the previous few days have proven us something, it is how deeply folks care about Cracker Barrel. We’re really grateful on your heartfelt voices,” the corporate mentioned Monday. “You’ve got additionally proven us that we might’ve achieved a greater job sharing who we’re and who we’ll at all times be.”
The assertion continued, “We love seeing how a lot you care about our ‘outdated timer.’ We love him too. Uncle Herschel will nonetheless be on our menu (welcome again Uncle Herschel’s Favourite Breakfast Platter), on our street indicators and featured in our nation retailer. He isn’t going wherever — he is household.”
