Cracker Barrel has officially announced the struggling family-dining chain’s biggest menu test ever. The menu overhaul, which will be tested for a limited time at select restaurants in Texas, is part of a strategic transformation for Cracker Barrel announced last month.
The test of 20 menu items, including green chili cornbread and banana pudding, began in one location in February and has now expanded to 14 Texas Cracker Barrel locations, where it will be available through August 5. Highlights of the menu revamp include:
Hash Brown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie: Slow-cooked pot roast served with onions, celery, carrots, peas and mashed potatoes topped with a baked hash brown casserole crust and sour cream. Served with buttermilk biscuits or cornbread muffins. Green Chili Cornbread: Cheesy green chili cornbread drizzled with honey and topped with whipped butter. Chicken and Dumplin’ Soup: Shredded chicken, celery, carrots and onions in soup for a home-style “dumplin'” dish. Cinnamon Bread French Toast: Toasted cinnamon streusel bread topped with cinnamon and cream cheese icing. Served with two eggs and bacon or sausage. Banana Pudding: Banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers, whipped cream and caramel sauce. The daily specials menu has been revamped, alternating classics like Lemon Pepper Trout and Classic Turnip Greens with new Southern BBQ Ribs and flavorful Chicken and Rice.
“For nearly 55 years, our customers have come to know and love our authentic, home-cooked meals, and this tradition will continue — we’re just adding more flavor and cravings to our menu and making it more accessible,” Cammie Spillers Schafer, Cracker Barrel’s senior vice president of operations, said in a statement. “We look forward to getting valuable feedback from both our customers and employees during this test.”
Cracker Barrel has struggled with sales and traffic since the COVID-19 pandemic began. After several quarters of declining customer traffic, most recently in the second quarter ending Jan. 26, when traffic was down 4%, the company introduced the brand refresh as a long-term solution. The plan includes testing this menu enhancement in addition to other initiatives, including store remodels and investments in digital technology. CEO Julie Fels Masino said the goal is to modernize and refresh the Cracker Barrel brand without losing the family-friendly appeal the chain is known for.
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