NEED TO KNOW

• Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino addresses backlash over the brand’s modern remodel and logo change

• Masino says fans’ criticism centered on fears that the updates erased Cracker Barrel’s traditional Americana identity

• Shareholders voted to keep her as CEO, following the company’s public apology and suspension of all redesign efforts

Cracker Barrel attempted to remodel its longtime rustic Americana-style restaurants, but fans of the part-eatery-part-novelty-store. Now, its CEO is sharing how she handled the unexpected ordeal.

During an interview with The Glenn Beck Podcast, published on Thursday, Nov. 20, Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino shared her thoughts on the remodel that was unveiled in August 2025, which host Glenn Beck called, “stupid from start to finish.”

When asked if she was surprised that she was fired, given the onslaught of backlash, Masino began with, “I feel like I’ve been fired by America,” which Beck noted, “That’s probably worse.”

“All I’ve wanted to do was help people love this brand the way I love this brand, the way Doug loves this brand, the way everyone who works here [does],” Masino continued, as she gestured to Doug Hisel, Senior Vice President of Store Operations.

Coincidentally, Cracker Barrel shareholders took a vote on leadership on Nov. 20 and decided to keep Masino on as CEO following the rebrand controversy, according to a report from AP News.

During The Glenn Beck Podcast interview, Masino also spoke to how the restaurant’s fan base reacted to the man and barrel being briefly removed from the logo – following criticism from customers and President Donald Trump – to a sleeker text-only logo, noting that they were attempting to “simplify” rather than remove the meaning from the brand’s story and core audience.

“Our values, our traditions: that’s what Cracker Barrel represents to us,” she stated when asked about the messaging she’s received from customers. “The story of America is on the walls. And they thought, when we [changed the logo], that we were saying that we didn’t care about that, and that was not the intent.”

She also went on to apologize profusely on the brand’s behalf, adding, “I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. I regret it. I don’t want people to be mad at us.”

Cracker Barrel, known for its Southern decor and knick-knack store, first announced its plan to rebrand and “evolve” in May 2024. The response was swift and continued into the following year after an Instagram post showcasing a new remodeled restaurant, which customers called “bland,” while some complimented the updated aesthetic, calling it “modern.”

Although a brand spokesperson spoke to PEOPLE back in August and emphasized that they were “very pleased with the trajectory of our remodeled stores,” the company shared a notice on its website in September announcing a suspension of all remodel efforts.

In a statement on Cracker Barrel’s website titled, “We Hear You,” the part-restaurant, part-store wrote, “Your Old Country Store is Here to Stay.”

“You’ve shared your voices in recent weeks not just on our logo, but also on our restaurants,” the announcement began. “We’re continuing to listen. Today, we’re suspending our remodels. If your restaurant hasn’t been remodeled, you don’t need to worry, it won’t be.”

The post continued, “We heard clearly that the modern remodel design does not reflect what you love about Cracker Barrel. We had tested this design in only four out of 660 locations, and we won’t continue with it.”

Read the original article on People