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Mon, 27 Jul 2026

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 Cracker Barrel chief executive steps down a year after rebrand chaos

Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino will exit following customer backlash over modern logo redesign.

* Julie Masino, CEO of Cracker Barrel, will leave in August after a year marked by controversy over the company's rebranding efforts.
* David Deno, former boss of Bloomin' Brands, will take over as CEO.
* The rebrand sparked a national controversy, with critics including President Trump, who urged the chain to restore its original logo.
* Masino will receive an estimated $4.6m departure package.
* Cracker Barrel's shares have fallen by more than 2% and are still around a fifth lower than this time last year due to financial struggles and competition from chains like Denny's and IHOP.
* The transition comes as the company faces fierce competition for budget-conscious diners seeking classic American comfort food.