Cracker Barrel reverses logo decision after Trump comments

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been astonished at the pushback over the changing of the logo for Cracker Barrel. I really thought this would die down at some point, but when Trump brought it up, Cracker Barrel never had a chance.

Well, the company just succumbed to pressure, announcing that it was ditching the new logo and bringing back the traditional one.

New logo

On August 19, the company announced the new logo, eliminating everything but the name itself, and people lost their minds.

This was all apparently the brainchild of CEO Julie Felss Masino, who has only been with the company for little more than two years, having previously worked for Taco Bell.

This change is what I like to call a salary justifier, or a change simply for the sake of change to make an incoming boss look good, only it backfired.

Masino had no clue how important that logo and décor are to the loyal customer base, but she found out rather quickly.

Trump chimes in

AS this controversy started to die down, Donald Trump chimed in, telling them to bring back the old logo.

Trump stated, “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 … Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER again.”

I doubt Trump has ever eaten at a Cracker Barrel, but it was an easy headline and if the company did change, he could claim he was responsible.

Got his way

Well, everyone got what they wanted, including Trump, as Cracker Barrel announced this week that the old logo was coming back and Masino’s brainchild was out.

The company announced, "We thank your 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. 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.”

Some things are just better left alone, a hard lesson for these CEOs who feel their hiring means they need to make massive change to core items. Cracker Barrel is an experience, and it starts with that logo when you pull up, and continues on to the rocking chairs, the décor, with the food being important, but not at the top of the list.

I have eaten at Cracker Barrel many times, and trust me, I don’t go there expecting fine dining. In fact, usually when I go, it is because I want something in the general store for a gift and grab a meal while I am there. It’s a southern tradition, so just leave it alone.