<div id="readability-page-1">Cracker Barrel is taking heat from loyal diners who say food quality has slipped – from chilled biscuits to reheated sides – deepening frustration that accelerated after the company scrapped its old logo and removed the iconic Uncle Herschel before reversing course, leaving many convinced the real decline is on the plate. The Wall Street Journal reported that customers upset by recipe changes and cost-cutting efforts said the chain’s meals no longer reflect its traditional standards, a complaint that has added to the backlash from the abandoned branding overhaul.Longtime patrons told the Journal the restaurant’s food has deteriorated over the years as favorites disappeared from the menu and kitchen shortcuts replaced earlier practices. The Journal also reported that Cracker Barrel shifted from rolling biscuit dough as needed to baking larger batches and chilling them and moved some sides, including green beans, from stovetop kettles to ovens, with dishes reheated when necessary. CRACKER BARREL'S TURNAROUND HITS EARLY SNAGS; CEO WARNS RECOVERY WILL ‘TAKE TIME’ AFTER REBRAND FIASCO<div><div> <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/05/931/523/GettyImages-1084721184-scaled.jpg/query-dGw9MSZ2ZT0x?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="931" height="523" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/05/931/523/GettyImages-1084721184-scaled.jpg/query-dGw9MSZ2ZT0x"/></div> The Stuart, Fla., Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)</div>One of those customers, 73-year-old Craig Watkins of Northern California, told the Journal he has watched the chain’s quality fade and wants old staples and original maple syrup restored.&#34;I want pure syrup on pancakes, not that watered-down junk,&#34; he said, adding that he brings his own syrup when he visits.FOX Business has reached out to Cracker Barrel for comment.CRACKER BARREL CEO SAYS SHE FELT LIKE SHE GOT 'FIRED BY AMERICA'<div><div> <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2025/08/931/523/cracker-barrel-ceo-branding-fox-news-006.jpg/query-dGw9MSZ2ZT0x?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="931" height="523" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2025/08/931/523/cracker-barrel-ceo-branding-fox-news-006.jpg/query-dGw9MSZ2ZT0x"/></div> A Cracker Barrel Country Store in Fishkill, N.Y., Aug. 25, 2025 (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital / Fox News)</div>The company told the Journal it is working to improve food quality and respond to guest feedback. Cracker Barrel said it has reinstated items such as Campfire Meals and Uncle Herschel’s Favorite Breakfast as part of that effort.During an investor call Tuesday, the company said its turnaround is progressing more slowly than expected after the failed rebranding attempt.Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino said first-quarter results &#34;were below our expectations amid unique and ongoing headwinds&#34; and that &#34;our recovery will take time&#34; as teams work to regain momentum.CRACKER BARREL RESTAURANT CHAIN PAYS THOUSANDS TO STUDENTS, SETTLING DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS<div><div> </div> Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino walks out of an office building in Brentwood, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2025. (Zak Bennett for Fox News Digital / Fox News)</div>&#34;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. 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,&#34; Masino said. &#34;This will take time, but we are executing a plan and are confident we will get back to the trajectory we saw in fiscal ’25.&#34;Cracker Barrel reported sales were down 5.7% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The company posted adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $7.2 million, compared with $45.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier.Masino also said the decline reflected roughly $14 million in additional advertising, marketing and conference expenses.The branding controversy erupted in late August after Cracker Barrel dropped the &#34;old timer&#34; from its logo and planned interior changes to its restaurant-retail layout.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREThe company reversed those changes about a week later amid swift customer backlash.FOX Business’ Eric Revell and Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.</div>

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Cracker Barrel faces criticism from loyal customers over declining food quality and recipe changes, following a failed rebranding attempt. The company is working to improve food quality and regain customer trust, but CEO Julie Masino acknowledges the recovery will take time. Sales dropped 5.7% in the first quarter compared to the previous year, with increased expenses in advertising and marketing. The backlash began after changes to the logo and restaurant layout, which were quickly reversed.

Cracker Barrel diners reportedly have new gripe about embattled chain