President Donald Trump congratulated the restaurant chain Cracker Barrel for listening to its customers and keeping its original logo after a massive backlash forced the company to reverse course.
On Tuesday, Cracker Barrel officially announced it was abandoning its short-lived rebranding effort. “We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain,” the company said in a statement.
They continued, “At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been – and always will be – about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family. As a proud American institution, our 70,000 hardworking employees look forward to welcoming you to our table soon.”
Trump celebrated the news on Truth Social, writing: “Congratulations ‘Cracker Barrel’ on changing your logo back to what it was. All of your fans very much appreciate it. Good luck into the future. Make lots of money and, most importantly, make your customers happy again!”
The president had already weighed in earlier, urging the company to scrap its new design. “Cracker Barrel should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before. They got a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity if they play their cards right. Very tricky to do, but a great opportunity. Have a major News Conference today. Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER again. Remember, in just a short period of time I made the United States of America the ‘HOTTEST’ Country anywhere in the World. One year ago, it was ‘DEAD.’ Good luck!” Trump wrote.
The now-abandoned redesign had been tied to a sweeping $700 million “modernization” plan aimed at updating interiors and menus. Cracker Barrel’s CEO Julie Felss Masino defended the changes, insisting, “People like what we’re doing. Cracker Barrel needs to feel like the Cracker Barrel for today and for tomorrow — the things that you love are still there. We need people to choose us, and we want people to choose us.”
But the response from everyday Americans told a different story. Customers blasted the new look as lifeless, generic, and disconnected from the brand’s character. In an era where countless companies cave to consultants and corporate fads, Cracker Barrel’s decision to restore its traditional image shows that public pushback can still make a difference.
The episode is a reminder that “modernization” doesn’t have to mean stripping away tradition. For many Americans, Cracker Barrel isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a piece of home, rooted in community and heritage. And when companies listen to their customers instead of out-of-touch elites, everyone wins.
