Well-known for its rustic nation theme and Southern consolation meals, Cracker Barrel was as soon as Taylor Swift's favourite hometown spot every time she returned to her second dwelling in Tennessee.
However new plans to rebrand the faltering chain amid falling gross sales and clients imply it is going to be the top of the restaurant because the pop star is aware of it.
The once-popular restaurant chain, with 662 areas nationwide, has misplaced greater than a sixth of its clients in simply 4 years — a development anticipated to proceed if it retains its previous model.
In actual fact, the corporate's shares fell sharply earlier this month after CEO Julie Fels Masino admitted the chain was “not as related because it as soon as was.”
Taylor Swift's favourite restaurant in her second hometown of Hendersonville, Tennessee was as soon as a easy Cracker Barrel, which she continued to frequent even after fame (pictured with a waitress in 2015)
The pop singer was a giant fan of the Southern consolation meals served on the rustic chain whereas residing in Tennessee. Now the restaurant is about to bear a model makeover
Nonetheless, the CEO stated the enterprise is now dedicated to turning issues round and the restaurant will bear a model makeover that can embody bringing the country theme to life with vivid colors, a brand new emblem and a brand new menu.
Menu costs may also enhance at many areas in consequence, he stated.
Fortunately, for Taylor Swift, a longtime fan of Cracker Barrel who ceaselessly visits the upscale and high-end restaurant today, the value hike received't be one thing she will't afford.
However this massive change might imply their favourite menu objects are at risk of extinction.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Swift moved along with her household to the Nashville suburb of Hendersonville, Tennessee on the age of 14 to pursue her music profession, after which she turned properly acquainted with Southern nation music.
The native Cracker Barrel finally turned her favourite restaurant, a lot in order that she stored coming again there to get her “Southern repair” even after she later achieved enormous success as a pop famous person.
In 2015, a waiter on the restaurant described caring for the singer throughout a go to to Hendersonville and recalled how Swift was at all times pleasant and left a big tip.
He additionally stated his favourite menu objects included the fritters and apple butter biscuits.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Swift moved along with her household to Hendersonville, Tennessee on the age of 14 to pursue her music profession.
In 2015, when the singer was within the metropolis, the waiter who served her a meal revealed that Taylor cherished apple butter and biscuits in addition to fritters.
Cracker Barrel is deliberately designed to replicate an old-time nation retailer that sells conventional Southern delicacies and easy consolation meals
This rustic-style restaurant is known for its rustic appeal and fairly priced conventional dishes
A server known as Connie – who shared a selfie of herself with Taylor nearly a decade in the past when she was eating on the restaurant – stated on the time: 'She actually likes apple butter and biscuits, I've served her and she or he at all times needs numerous apple butter! And the dumplings, she's a giant fan of the dumplings we make right here.
'She sits close to the window or within the again third room. She normally comes along with her household.
'Most members of the Grand Ol' Opry don't depart a lot of a tip, solely about 5 {dollars}.
'However there was a man right here who labored and served him, who went to high school with him – he gave him 100 {dollars} in suggestions!'
This Midwestern chain restaurant options family-style tables and chairs round a blazing open hearth, and serves Southern favorites akin to deep fried okra, rooster and catfish, in addition to mashed potatoes and biscuits.
Most important dishes on the menu on the time value simply $9 to $15.
Staff on the Hendersonville Cracker Barrel had been additionally impressed by how the beneficiant pop star gave again to the neighborhood she grew up in as a youngster — which helped put the city on the map, donating $75,000 to her old fashioned.
One other waitress, Tammy, stated on the time: 'She's at all times very well mannered and will get on very well with everybody.
'She's at all times so relaxed when she comes right here, she feels she will let her guard down. She comes right here as a result of no person makes a giant fuss, that's the explanation.
'He's an ideal individual for Hendersonville, he's given again to the neighborhood tenfold and we're proud he's from right here.'
Cracker Barrels is deliberately designed to replicate an old-time nation retailer that sells conventional Southern delicacies and easy consolation meals.
A waitress revealed that Swift cherished biscuits and at all times requested for “a ton of apple butter.”
The restaurant serves Southern delicacies, in addition to basic dishes like rooster tenders for $12.99.
Cracker Barrel shops will now bear reworking to deliver again their classic nation design. Its basic old school inside is proven above at a location in Tennessee
Masino, who joined Cracker Barrel in November after serving as president of Taco Bell, stated the corporate will change the “retailer design and environment” and put money into “older” shops.
The inventory value fell after Chief Government Julie Fels Masino advised buyers: “We’re not as related as we as soon as had been.”
He hinted at a brand new look and menu.
“Traditionally, Cracker Barrel has made restricted adjustments to our design aesthetics,” he stated. “And we've maybe relied slightly an excessive amount of on the timeless nature of our idea.
'We started conducting pilot remodels in two check shops. This included redesigning the inside and exterior of those shops utilizing completely different shade palettes, updating lighting, offering extra comfy seating, and simplifying décor and fixtures.'
He stated: 'In February, we started testing a important menu revamp that included round 20 new objects, a number of revised objects and over 20 eliminated objects.
“We’re delighted with the visitor response. For instance, eight of the brand new lunch and dinner entrees at these shops are within the prime 20 for product combine.”
“We're additionally seeing a robust combine of recent objects in different classes, like our inexperienced chili cornbread and our banana pudding.”
The pilot shops have been profitable to date and can be rolled out throughout all areas.
The corporate expects to finish 25-30 remodels in fiscal yr 2025.
