Cracker Barrel accused by conservatives of ‘pulling a Bud Light’
Cracker Barrel announced a major rebrand this week, sparking swift conservative backlash on social media.
On Monday, Aug. 18, the restaurant chain unveiled its fifth-ever logo as part of a new campaign, "All the More," featuring country music star Jordan Davis.
The new logo is different than the one that has represented the brand since 1977. It removes the iconic image of a man seated next to a barrel, instead adopting a text-only, barrel-shaped word mark.
Cracker Barrel stated that the design is a return to its original 1969 logo and is "rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shaped and word mark that started it all."
"We believe in the goodness of country hospitality, a spirit that has always defined us. Our story hasn't changed. Our values haven't changed," Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Moore said in a statement . "With 'All the More,' we're honoring our legacy while bringing fresh energy, thoughtful craftsmanship and heartfelt hospitality to our guests this fall."
The updated visuals, anchored by Cracker Barrel's signature gold and brown tones, will appear across menus and marketing materials. The color palette was inspired by popular menu items like scrambled eggs and buttermilk biscuits.
Following the announcement, the restaurant chain received fierce reaction from some customers and conservative commentators.
"I have NO IDEA why companies feel the need to change their logo when the one they have had for decades works so well," one Instagram user wrote on Cracker Barrel's recent post . "...at least leave the barrel in the logo!!"
Another commenter wrote, "I won't go back till you switch the logo to the old one."
Conservative figures also joined in on the criticism. Donald Trump Jr. said via X , "WTF is wrong with @CrackerBarrel??!"
Meanwhile the host of "The Benny Show," Benny Johnson, called the new logo "absolutely horrible" and added, "When will they learn?"
After noticing the conservative outrage, other social media users began to mock the backlash. Some created satirical AI-generated images that altered the Cracker Barrel logo, turning the Cracker Barrel man's face into Jeffrey Epstein and the words "Cracker Barrel" into "Epstein Files RELEASE THEM."
Many social media users were quick to compare the logo complaints to the 2023 Bud Light controversy , where a boycott was launched by critics angered by the brewer's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
"Buckle up, Cracker Barrel ..." a user wrote on X. "... your CEO just pulled a Bud Light."
Cracker Barrel has not publicly commented on the social media backlash as of Thursday, Aug. 21.
More Business News
Read the original article on MassLive .
