Everyone Gets This Wrong About the Old Cracker Barrel Logo

It’s possible you might find this interesting, but the rationale behind the latest Cracker Barrel logo is similar to that of the original design.

The man at the highway eatery doesn’t resemble iconic fast food figures like Wendy or Colonel Sanders, and his age is not exceptionally advanced.

Actually, the folksy character you’re referring to is only 48 years old, which means he’s almost eligible for AARP (two years short). Interestingly, he came into being primarily as a means to boost sales of dumplings, household items, and candied sticks.

Why Are People Mad at Cracker Barrel?

On August 19th, Cracker Barrel revealed plans for modifications within their restaurants and stores, as well as updates to their company logo.

Although the renovation is significant, patrons of the restaurant showed a level of disapproval toward the new logo that’s usually associated with heated debates over contentious Supreme Court rulings.

The old man by the barrel has been replaced with just the Cracker Barrel company name, displayed in a dark yellow, squared-off shape.

As a film enthusiast, I was thoroughly impressed by the recent announcement highlighting their commitment to integrity and warmth, which led them to enlist the talents of country sensation, Jordan Davis, as their ambassador.

“Our story hasn’t changed. Our values haven’t changed,” says Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Moore.

The internet responded with a collective, “YOU DID WHAT?!?!”

The Truth About the Old Cracker Barrel Logo

Let’s allow others to gather all the negative comments on social media regarding the new logo. It would be beneficial to discuss separately the efficiency of this new design.

If bland is the new pink, they win, but some could argue it’s a bit highway sign-ish.

The old logo wasn’t a nod to the chain’s’ founders, or really anyone.

In 1969, Cracker Barrel officially opened its doors, displaying both its name and the tagline “Old Country Store” above the entrance. It appears that their signage hasn’t exactly stood out since their inception.

After eight years, founder Dan Evins felt there was room for improvement, so he enlisted the help of graphic designer Bill Holley. Inspired by this opportunity, he sketched out the new logo on a napkin and sent it off to be printed without worrying about sophistication or formalities. It’s fortunate no one needed to sneeze at that critical moment!

The website states: “For this year, instead of revealing a single-person logo, we chose to highlight a variety of individuals. Our intention was to embody the diverse guest community we serve through a logo that reflects our ongoing commitment to catering to people of different races, colors, and genders with passion.

Sure.

Individuals alleging the brand took a “wokeness” stance might reference this fact, yet it appears that this was penned in 2019. Contrarily, if anything, their actions seem to have moved away from the “woke” standpoint instead.

Is Cracker Barrel’s Stock Plummeting?

Critics on the internet often act as armchair financiers, jumping into discussions about a brand once a scandal emerges. However, assertions that the company has already suffered significant financial losses are, at most, speculative and may not yet be accurate.

On Tuesday morning, the stock was priced approximately at $61 per share. However, by Wednesday evening, it had dipped and rebounded to around $58 per share.

On Thursday morning, the stock price hit a low of $50.76, but over the past 24 hours, it has risen to $55.46, marking an approximately 10% increase. Given its current upward trajectory, it remains to be seen where the day’s trading will take us.

PICTURES: Country Stars Who Went Bankrupt

Country Stars Who Went Bankrupt

David Allan Coe

As a loyal moviegoer, I’ve always admired the resilience of country music legend David Allan Coe. His career has been a rollercoaster ride marked by challenging relationships with record labels and financial hurdles. In 2005, he made a bold move to restructure his debts through Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The taxman came knocking again in 2011, slapping liens on the singer for an impressive sum of $1,640,853, accusing him of unpaid taxes from 2004, 2007, and 2009. It’s been a tough ride for Coe, but his music continues to echo and inspire fans like me.

George Jones

In 1979, George Jones found himself at a difficult crossroads both personally and professionally when he declared bankruptcy. He had assets worth just $65,000 but owed a staggering $1.5 million. This period was marked by Jones’ struggles with alcohol and drugs, as well as his frequent absenteeism from shows. However, the 1980s saw a remarkable turnaround in his life thanks to his fourth wife, Nancy, who provided crucial support and helped him resurrect his career.

Freddy Fender

In the ’70s, Freddy Fender achieved significant success in country music with popular hits like “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.” However, the ’80s brought a series of misfortunes for him, such as a house fire, a jail term due to marijuana possession, the tragic loss of two band members in a bus accident, and bankruptcy in 1983. Yet, he managed to stage a comeback in the ’90s as part of the Texas Tornados, before passing away in 2006.

Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheck was a musician who frequently encountered difficulties throughout his life. He served prison time and struggled with substance abuse issues for much of his career, despite achieving great success with “Take This Job and Shove It” in 1977. However, trouble followed him even closer as the IRS sued him for $103,000 in unpaid taxes in 1982. By 1990, he had filed for bankruptcy, revealing debts totaling over $1.6 million, with a large portion owed to the IRS.

Lorrie Morgan

As a devoted fan, I’ve been following Lorrie Morgan’s journey closely, and it’s no secret that she’s faced a series of challenging financial hurdles in her business ventures. In 1992, she bravely filed for bankruptcy but chose to retract her petition after making significant payments to several creditors totaling approximately $846,000. Fast forward to 2008, Lorrie once again found herself navigating the complexities of bankruptcy with a Chapter 7 filing. At that time, her debts were estimated to be between $1 million and $10 million. Reflecting on her past experiences, she has since expressed that placing trust in her accountants was the most regrettable decision of her life.

Merle Haggard

Due to an ongoing disagreement with Curb Records, Merle Haggard experienced a lengthy period without releasing new records, which he attributed as one reason for his bankruptcy filing in 1992, along with tax issues. However, the legendary country artist managed to pay off his debts and even make a profit when he sold the rights to approximately 600 of his songs to Sony-Tree Publishing in 1993 for over $3 million.

Mindy McCready

Mindy McCready’s first album sold over 2 million copies and had major successes in 1996, but by May of 1997, she declared bankruptcy, a move her former manager attempted to prevent, alleging that it was an attempt to escape their contract. She managed to break free from the contract, but her career took a turbulent turn for the worse, marked by numerous public scandals involving drugs, rehab, multiple arrests, and a sex tape. Tragically, McCready passed away in 2013 at the age of 37 due to suicide.

Sammy Kershaw

In the ’90s, Sammmy Kershaw experienced significant success with songs like “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” and “Love of My Life.” However, by 2007, weighed down by debt from his divorce with Lorrie Morgan, dwindling record sales, a disagreement with a record label, and the collapse of his chicken business, Kershaw was compelled to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Among his creditors were banks, credit card companies, a bus leasing service, legal professionals, the IRS, and providers for his poultry venture.

Shenandoah

The triumph of Shenandoah unexpectedly led to complications for the group. In 1990, they were at the pinnacle of their fame following the release of Extra Mile, which achieved a No.1 hit with “Next to You, Next to Me.” However, after settling a lawsuit from another Tennessee band sharing the same name, four additional bands filed lawsuits against them. When Columbia Records refused to cover part of the legal expenses, Shenandoah was compelled to file for bankruptcy in 1991, having paid over $200,000 in settlements.

Tammy Wynette

In 1988, celebrated country artist Tammy Wynette filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a court ruling where the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation was awarded $900,000 against her and her husband George Richey. The dispute stemmed from poor investments in Florida, which were insured by a bank that eventually collapsed due to bad loans. Along with this debt, they also listed an additional million dollars worth of other outstanding obligations.

Eddie Montgomery

In the latter part of 2013, Eddie Montgomery, known for his numerous hits as part of the duo Montgomery Gentry, found himself declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy due to financial struggles. His debts totaled approximately 13.4 million dollars, while his assets were valued at around 1.9 million dollars. The main causes of these debts were issues with a failed restaurant and the expenses associated with his divorce settlement.

Willie Nelson

In country music, Willie Nelson’s financial difficulties are among the most well-known. In 1990, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filed liens against his properties amounting to $16.7 million due to an illegal tax shelter set up by his accountants. Although the IRS eventually seized and auctioned off much of Nelson’s property, he never officially filed for bankruptcy. Instead, he chose an innovative approach, releasing an album called The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories?, with the earnings from that album helping him pay off his debt. Nelson eventually settled his tax issues in 1993 for an undisclosed amount.

Waylon Jennings

In the ’70s and early ’80s, I was among the highest-earning country music stars, but by the ’80s, my daily $1500 cocaine habit had unfortunately steered me towards bankruptcy, with a staggering debt of $2.5 million. Determined to clear all my debts, I scheduled extra shows and worked tirelessly to earn enough money. After conquering my addictions, I experienced a career revival as part of the Highwaymen in 1985.

The Most Ridiculous Movie Tie-In Food Ever Made

20. Subway’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Fiery Footlongs

If you haven’t seen The Hunger Games, it makes sense that Subway would tie their “Fiery Footlongs” promotion to a popular film. But if you’re familiar with the story, you recognize that the characters are in a desperate struggle for food and survival. So promoting a meal while they’re starving seems strange. However, given the series’ bleak tone, it could be a deliberate move.

19. Johnny Rockets’ Kong: Skull Island Street Tots

For decades, chain restaurants have attempted to transform various foods into nacho-like dishes. Timed with the launch of the Monsterverse’s “Kong: Skull Island,” Johnny Rockets introduced a twist on tater tots that they called “Street Tots.” However, the concept of street tots is questionable given their excessive nature (especially when piled high with bacon, cheddar cheese, and scallions). It’s unclear how these street tots relate to “Kong: Skull Island,” as the film takes place almost entirely on a remote island in the ocean, devoid of streets or street food. Additionally, the term “street tot” might imply food found on the ground, which isn’t appealing or appetizing. “Oh no, don’t eat that one. I dropped it. It’s a street tot.” Not something I’d want to eat, thank you.

18. Denny’s Independence Day: Resurgence Red, White & Bacon Menu

When considering the “Independence Day” films, two things often come to mind: extraterrestrial spaceships causing mass destruction of Earth’s iconic landmarks, and an abundance of bacon. Lots and lots of bacon! It’s a mystery why, but that’s how it is. Then, you find yourself at Denny’s, a restaurant well-known for offering unusual dishes inspired by movies. Here, the menu boasts no fewer than seven options, all centered around bacon. There were bacon-filled skillets, burgers with bacon, samplers of various bacon treats, bacon-topped tater tots, numerous bacon-centric breakfast combos, and even a bacon-infused ice cream sundae. It seemed as though Denny’s envisioned bacon as an alien laser beam, targeting your colon instead of the Empire State Building.

17. Burger King’s The Addams Family Wednesday Whopper

Over the past few years, Burger King has been quite daring with the hues of their Whopper buns. It’s not just about regular bun colors anymore. Depending on the release of a notable film, they can transform into bold shades like red (for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”), fiery orange (for “How to Train Your Dragon”), or even a striking purple (for “The Addams Family”, surprisingly, as it was produced years after the animated movies inspired by the original family). Quite interestingly, the vibrant purple bun appeared more appealing than the pale gray burger I received within it.

16. IHOP’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Stuffed French Toasts

The menu, inspired by the video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, was a bit unexpected, especially since it featured strange dishes rather than the usual fare you’d expect from a promotion like this. For instance, instead of focusing on items that evoke the spirit of Indiana Jones, IHOP chose to offer three types of stuffed French toast. This seems odd, given that one might expect pancakes or other circular breakfast foods, considering the game’s title and the restaurant’s name.

While the food was generally disappointing (with the Explorer’s Caramel Apple Butter Hot Chocolate being particularly poor), it’s worth noting that the video game is titled Indiana Jones: The Great Circle. So why not serve something more fitting, like pancakes? Instead, they opted for square French toast, which seems out of place given their name – The International House of Pancakes. It’s puzzling how they could get it so wrong.

15. MrBeast Burger’s Shrek Quesadilla

Over a decade since the last Shrek movie (until Shrek 5), YouTube sensation MrBeast introduced a green Shrek-themed Quesadilla through his MrBeast Burger chain, which turned out to be a ghost kitchen operation that faced multiple lawsuits starting in 2023. At this point, MrBeast accused his partners of damaging his brand by linking his name with restaurants serving questionable food quality. However, the partners later counter-sued MrBeast for $100 million, claiming he didn’t meet his obligations in the partnership.

Now, if you want to create a food inspired by a swamp creature like Shrek, perhaps it should be intentionally unappetizing or less than ideal?

14. IHOP’s The Grinch Grinch’s Green Pancakes

As a devoted fan, I must say, Burger King’s colorful Whopper buns are impressive, but IHOP takes the cake (or pancake in this case)! For the delightful animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s _The Grinch_, they offered green pancakes smothered in cream cheese icing, whipped cream, and candy hearts. Thankfully, they didn’t go as far as making them furry like our favorite grumpy green character!

13. IHOP’s The Addams Family Morticia’s Haunted Hot Chocolate

Here’s my take:

“Instead of the Grinch’s pancakes for a touch of green, take a peek at me post-sipping on a purple hot chocolate reminiscent of The Addams Family – yes, the same family that gave us the legendary purple Burger King Whopper! Watching that movie is like having my own personal horror flick, but with food.

This drink was simply meant to be a mug of hot chocolate adorned with violet whipped cream and a drizzle of Hershey’s chocolate syrup, but there seemed to be some sort of mix-up at the intersection because after a short while, it transformed into a sludge that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.

12. Denny’s Solo: A Star Wars Story Co-Reactor Pancakes

In the lead-up to the Han Solo spinoff movie, Denny’s acquired the coveted Star Wars license and used it to create an entire menu themed around Solo. The standout dishes included the “Lightspeed Slam” and the “Two Moons Skillet,” but the true stars of the show were the “Co-Reactor Pancakes.” These pancakes featured a topping of strawberries, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and Pop Rocks (or “Crystal Crunch Rocks” as Denny’s referred to them). To this day, I remain uncertain about what a “co-reactor” actually is. Given that there are no Google results showing the term in any other context aside from Denny’s, it seems they may have created their own Star Wars backstory. It might be worth asking Pablo Hidalgo for clarification on this matter.

11. IHOP’s Wonka Dreamy Lemonade

In their latest menu, IHOP seems to have repurposed leftover purple food coloring from their “Addams Family” themed dishes, as an array of purple foods can be found in their “Wonka” menu. This includes the intriguingly titled “Wonka’s Perfectly Purple Pancakes,” smothered with a mysterious purple sauce (or icing), and a “Daydream Berry Biscuit” oozing with an equally enigmatic purple topping.

The most peculiar item on the menu, however, is arguably the “Dreamy Lemonade.” The description suggests it’s infused with prickly pear flavored lemonade, served with a rainbow sprinkle rim made of cream cheese icing. Upon closer inspection, this cream cheese icing rim didn’t appear as one might expect. Instead, it seemed more like a whimsical creation straight out of Willy Wonka’s fantastical dreams (please forgive the expression).

10. Little Caesars’ The Batman Calzony

Initially, I wonder if this monstrous concoction of fat and sodium resembles a bat to anyone else. If one were to consume such an enormous pile-up of Little Caesars pepperoni pizza and calzone, you might be so disoriented that, yes, it could potentially remind you of a winged creature.

But upon reflection, I rescind my initial thought: Batman, the caped crusader, donned his persona because he encountered a bat while searching for a symbol to instill fear in the hearts of cowardly and superstitious criminals. If this dish were swooping down on me from the rooftops of Gotham City, I’d be petrified without a doubt. So, in that aspect, it does justice to its original inspiration.

9. IHOP’s IF Menu

In simpler, more conversational language, the text could be rephrased as follows:

“IHOP created a special menu for John Krasinski’s puzzling kids movie ‘IF’. The highlight was the ‘Dazzleberry Pancakes’, which had a unique blue-green color. They also offered a fountain soda with a Bomb Pop on top and another with a gummy candy floating in it. However, the most outrageous item was the ‘Lewis’ Cinn-a-Bear Stack’. It was essentially a mountain of pancakes topped with another pile of donuts. Incredibly, it tasted delicious!

8. White Castle’s X-Men: Apocalypse’s Apocalyptic Waffle Slider

Wow, it seems White Castle took advantage of the launch of “X-Men: Apocalypse” to present a lineup of spicy sliders. These included a slider with ghost pepper cheese, another with cheese, crispy onions, and chipotle mayo, and lastly, an “Apocalyptic Waffle Slider,” featuring mini waffles as buns, an egg, spicy chorizo sausage, and more ghost pepper cheese. I must admit, it’s a bit puzzling why a menu influenced by the Marvel villain Apocalypse would emphasize spiciness so much – after all, heat isn’t one of his powers. However, I can confirm that the meal left quite an “apocalyptic” impression on my digestive system, so there is certainly that!

7. IHOP’s Minions: The Rise of Gru Minion Menu

For several years, IHOP has presented numerous menus themed around the Minions, such as the appetizingly titled “Loaded Minion Taters.” (Could you please add more Minions to my taters? Thanks a bunch.)

More recently, they collaborated with the movie “Rise of Gru” and provided an array of items including two drinks, a milkshake, a burger, some iced donuts, and pancakes known as “Ba-Ba-Banana Pudding Pancakes.” These pancakes are smothered in banana pudding, Nilla wafers, whipped cream, slices of banana, and a mysterious ingredient called “Minion Sprinkles.” Please do not disclose what Minion Sprinkles are made from. I’d rather remain blissfully unaware.

6. DiGiorno’s Deadpool & Wolverine “The Wade Special” Frozen Pizza

As evidence that movie theming can sometimes go overboard, consider this frozen pizza called “The Wade Special” by DiGiorno. This is a nod to the first Deadpool film where Wade Wilson orders a pineapple and olive pizza.

Coinciding with the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, the unusual pairing might also be a reference to the movie’s title characters who don’t work well together, much like pineapples and olives. Speaking for myself, I enjoy both olives and pineapple on pizza, but their combination is an odd one.

The goal of this paraphrase was to maintain the original meaning while making it more readable by simplifying some sentence structures, adjusting punctuation, and using more common phrasing.

5. IHOP’s The Lorax Gren Eggs and Ham

As a movie enthusiast and food connoisseur, I can’t help but draw parallels between the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss and the delightful offerings at IHOP. Just like green eggs and ham, these two seem to go hand in hand, especially during the release of Seuss animated movies. However, the “green eggs” were not as one might expect – they were scrambled eggs with creamed spinach, a dish that may have left some young fans of The Lorax craving something more familiar.

On the other hand, I suspect IHOP’s Truffula Chip Pancakes, adorned with rainbow sprinkles and a strawberry yogurt sauce, were a hit among the crowd. In comparison, their blueberry pancake nestled inside a waffle cone was quite an intriguing addition, while the green Grinch pancakes seemed almost subdued by these standards.

4. Denny’s Fantastic Four Slamtastic 4 Menu (Including Thing Burger [With Thing Sauce])

The “Thing Burger” is a creation that features a hand-pressed beef patty, hash browns, an egg cooked according to your preference, cheddar cheese, and two crispy bacon strips. It’s all nestled in a bun smothered in melted cheddar cheese. This delicious burger was part of Denny’s “Slamtastic 4” menu, which they introduced to celebrate Josh Trank’s version of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. The burger also comes with a zesty Thing sauce for an extra kick.

Denny’s also presented some unique dishes inspired by the Fantastic Four, such as pancakes drizzled with clear citrus syrup that looked invisible, and a skillet filled with spicy sausage and eggs – reminiscent of the Human Torch. Despite these quirky offerings, I must say: The movie was even worse.

3. Van Leeuwen’s Glass Onion Ice Cream

In a unique twist, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opted for an air of enigma when they developed a flavor inspired by the upcoming “Knives Out” sequel, “Glass Onion.” They chose to keep customers guessing about the contents of the pint. This creative approach wasn’t just for fun; it also served a crucial role – hiding the fact that the flavor in question was onion-flavored ice cream.

And yes, I’ve tried this peculiar dessert. From my own tasting, I can confirm that it tasted remarkably like chilled French onion soup. It would have made a perfect accompaniment to a screening of “Apocalypse Now,” too – the terror… the horror!

2. Denny’s The Hobbit Menus

In the early 2010s, collaboration between chain restaurants and Hollywood was commonplace, but Denny’s partnership with “The Hobbit” movies stood out remarkably. Unlike typical collaborations offering a single themed item or a kids meal with a toy based on the movie, Denny’s created entire menus themed around both the first two Hobbit films, The Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug.

Some standout dishes included the “Lonely Mountain Treasure” (French toast pieces made from seed cake with cream cheese icing for dipping), the “Smaug’s Fire Burger” (boasting jalapenos, a cheddar bun, and a special X-sauce), “Radagast’s Red Velvet Pancake Puppies” (a self-explanatory sweet treat), and the “Hobbit Hole Breakfast” (an intriguing meal option). These themed menus generated significant buzz on social media, laying the groundwork for today’s trend of highly Instagrammable tie-in foods.

1. IHOP’s Horton Hears a Who Who-Cakes

I’m utterly blown away by the imaginative dishes on Denny’s “The Hobbit” menu, but nothing compares to the mind-blowing IHOP creation inspired by “Horton Hears a Who” from 2008. This masterpiece featured a towering stack of pancakes adorned with rainbow chocolate chips, drizzled with blueberry and boysenberry glazes, all speared with an enormous lollipop.

The promotional image looks downright mad – and the pictures of what people actually received were even more mind-boggling. (And yes, IHOP served green eggs and ham for “Horton” too – because honestly, who wouldn’t prefer scrambled eggs and spinach over lollipop pancakes when they’re a kid?)

2025-08-25 23:34