Recently, insights into Cracker Barrel’s corporate travel guidelines have sparked considerable attention. Employees at Cracker Barrel, a restaurant renowned for its Southern dishes like chicken fried steaks and grits, are encouraged to dine at company locations during work trips whenever feasible, according to a corporate memo highlighted by The Wall Street Journal.
The guideline stipulates that Cracker Barrel employees should eat at their restaurants for most of their meals while on business trips, depending on the travel location and schedule. Additionally, any alcohol consumption during these trips requires prior approval from a supervisor. Exceptions for celebrating special occasions also need to be authorized at an executive level, known as the E-Team.
Although the guideline was confirmed by Cracker Barrel, the company clarified that the policy had already been in place since June 2024 and emphasized that employees do have the flexibility to dine elsewhere, contrary to prior reports. The company stated, “The policy for employees to dine at Cracker Barrel while traveling for business, whenever practical, based on location and schedule, is not new. Also, it is not the only place that our employees may eat when on the road, as previously reported.” This step primarily aims to further restrict the reimbursement of alcoholic beverages.
The spotlight on Cracker Barrel’s travel policies exemplifies a broader trend known as ‘travelscrimping,’ where companies are tightening their travel budgets amid challenging economic conditions. Businesses, striving to economize, are encouraging measures such as booking more affordable accommodations and choosing cost-effective meal options, like store-bought groceries over dining at restaurants.
This isn’t Cracker Barrel’s first encounter with public scrutiny. The company previously faced backlash after attempting to update its long-standing logo. The classic design, featuring the “Old Timer” character seated near a barrel, was set to be substituted by a new logo dubbed “All the More.” However, this change was met with a backlash from conservative critics, including former President Donald Trump and his supporters, who labeled the new logo as “too woke.” Following the negative reception, Cracker Barrel decided to revert to its original branding. The company expressed gratitude towards its patrons for their feedback, stating, “We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away, and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.”
Corky Siemaszko, a senior reporter at NBC News Digital, has provided ongoing coverage of these developments.