Fifty years ago today, in a small town called Lebanon, Tennessee, a man named Dan Evins had a brilliant idea. He noticed that as the Interstate was expanding and connecting people to new places, there was a lack of consistent and quality places for travelers to stop, rest, and enjoy a good meal at a fair price. So, he decided to build an old country store that would meet these needs and preserve the essence of country life.
The store, called Cracker Barrel, quickly became more than just a stop along the way. With hard work, a mission to please people, and genuine hospitality, Cracker Barrel became an iconic American table for generations to come. Evins wanted to recreate the old country store experience from his childhood and provide a place where friends and family could come together over delicious food.
The name “Cracker Barrel” was chosen to honor one of America’s original gathering places. In the past, crackers were delivered in barrels to old country stores, and people would gather around them to chat and discuss the news of the day.
Today, Cracker Barrel has grown to 660 locations in 45 states across the nation. It continues to be a place where guests are welcomed home to a simpler time and treated like family with warmth and care. To celebrate their golden anniversary, the company is encouraging guests to share their special #CrackerBarrelMoment on social media.
Throughout its journey, Cracker Barrel has achieved many milestones, such as becoming a publicly traded company, establishing charitable foundations, and expanding its reach to the West Coast. Yet, they have always stayed true to their roots, providing a unique experience filled with hospitality for every family in America.
In their 50th year celebration, Cracker Barrel introduced Southern Fried Chicken to their menu and celebrated the contributions of women in country music through the “Five Decades, One Voice” program.
Cracker Barrel’s success is not just about the food they serve but also about the human connection they create, making it a beloved home-away-from-home for millions of people.
For more information about Cracker Barrel, visit crackerbarrel.com.
About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real homestyle food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage — all at a fair price. Established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., Cracker Barrel and its affiliates operate 660 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations in 45 states and own the fast-casual Holler & Dash® restaurants. For more information about the company, visit crackerbarrel.com.
