On August 26, Cracker Barrel announced on its official X account that it will be returning to its classic logo. This change followed the viral backlash to the brand’s new sleek logo design revealed earlier this month. While some of the comments on the post announcing the reversal were celebratory, many were still critical of the brand for making the decision in the first place.
In particular, many commenters singled out Cracker Barrel’s CEO, Julie Masino, blaming her for the logo change. Users shared memes mocking the CEO, with many even calling for her resignation. Still, like most places on the internet, the comment section was not unanimous. A sizable minority of posters mocked others for expressing so much concern over a seemingly trivial issue.
While Cracker Barrel’s social media pages served as the frontlines for people venting about various aspects of the logo change, similar conversations echoed across various corners of the internet.
Why People Were Upset
On August 19, Cracker Barrel revealed its new logo on social media. This simplified version of the logo maintained the brand’s name but removed the classic illustration of an elderly man sitting on a barrel.
The backlash was instant, as many felt the new design was an unnecessary downgrade that stripped the original of its rustic personality. Some also saw the backlash as a rallying call against the broader renovation campaign the brand began in 2024.
Since then, Cracker Barrel has been involved in an initiative to modernize its restaurants. Changes range from using brighter interior paint colors to removing many of the antiques hanging from the walls. Alongside the logo change, these adjustments were made to give the restaurant a more contemporary feel, which has been met with resistance online.
How Internet Backlash Shapes Brands
In the case of Cracker Barrel, the brand reverted the logo change when the severe backlash became apparent. This decision was likely unavoidable, as the company’s stock prices dropped dramatically following the change. They didn’t bounce back until the original logo was restored, according to CNBC.
This is not the first time internet backlash has forced a brand to rethink major design choices. In 2010, clothing brand Gap changed its iconic logo to a simpler one featuring only text and a small blue square. According to the BBC, Gap reverted the design within a week following backlash that the new logo was bland.
Backlash reshaping design decisions has even extended to film, as with the Sonic the Hedgehog character design. When the trailer for the movie first dropped, the most notable reaction was disgust at the titular character’s appearance. Many fans considered it a creepy eyesore, according to Vulture.
In this case, a new design, more in line with the character’s classic video game appearance, was announced within three days. A new, updated trailer was released shortly after, demonstrating how quickly backlash can force major companies to act.
Examples like these show that what happened with Cracker Barrel is far from isolated, and that brands will often react quickly if they believe their consumer base is upset by a design.
Is Cracker Barrel Back to Normal?
As mentioned earlier, Cracker Barrel announced it will revert to its classic logo. Supporters of the old design can officially consider this a win. That being said, many of the chain’s broader renovations, such as changes to interior decorations, still appear to be underway.
While there was some controversy surrounding these changes, it did not come close to the uproar over the logo. Whether these renovations will spark greater pushback in the future remains unclear.
Ultimately, this chapter in Cracker Barrel’s history serves as a powerful reminder that even a simple image, such as a man sitting on a barrel, can play a major role in how people connect with brands.
Editorial Note: Portions of this article were reviewed and refined using AI-assisted editing tools to support grammar, clarity, and style. All content has been fact-checked and approved by our editorial team.
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