Cracker Barrel responds to reports about employee dining requirements

Cracker Barrel responds to reports about employee dining requirements

Cracker Barrel responded to reports that it requires staff to eat completely at its eating places while touring for work, noting that the steering shouldn’t be new.

The Southern-themed restaurant chain told FOX Business that its dining coverage was first launched in June 2024 and emphasised that staff touring for enterprise are inspired — however not required — to eat at Cracker Barrel areas.

“The policy for employees to dine at Cracker Barrel while traveling for business, whenever practical based on location and schedule, is not new,” the company told FOX Business. 

“Also, it is not the only place that our employees may eat when on the road, as previously reported. The change was to further limit reimbursement of alcoholic beverages under the policy.”

The clarification follows a latest report highlighting Cracker Barrel’s inside employee insurance policies. 

According to an inside message reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, staff are inspired to delay work-related journey when attainable and, when journey is unavoidable, are anticipated to dine at Cracker Barrel areas when sensible.

“Employees are expected to dine at a Cracker Barrel store for all or the majority of meals while traveling, whenever practical based on location and schedule,” the company wrote.

Cracker Barrel is also reportedly tightening its journey expense coverage relating to alcohol, requiring staff pay out of pocket for alcoholic drinks.

Cracker Barrel told FOX Business that it requires staff to eat completely at its eating places while touring for work. YouTube / Glenn Beck, and BlazeTV

Any exceptions must obtain prior approval, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“Exceptions for special occasions must be pre-approved by an E-Team member,” Cracker Barrel said.

Cracker Barrel has struggled in latest months, including dealing with buyer outrage last summer season over a emblem redesign that eliminated its iconic “Old Timer” character, a call the company later reversed.

During its fiscal first-quarter 2026 earnings name in December, CEO Julie Masino said the company’s turnaround is taking longer than anticipated.

The Southern-themed restaurant chain said the coverage was launched in June 2024, emphasizing that staff touring for enterprise are inspired — however not required — to eat at Cracker Barrel areas. Universal Images Group by way of Getty

Sales fell 5.7% in contrast with the same interval last 12 months.

“As you are all aware, the past few months have been difficult for Cracker Barrel and for our 70,000 team members around the country,” Masino said.

“And while many of our guests are enjoying our improved food and guest experience, we certainly have more work to do to regain the trust and confidence of others who have been slower to return.”

Cracker Barrel shares are up more than 30% 12 months to date.

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