Cracker Barrel: A Strategic Case Study in Restaurant Management

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is a publicly traded company which consists of a restaurant with a gift shop. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The gift shop area offers a variety of decorative and functional items. As of 2012, the company operated 620 Cracker Barrel stores located in 42 states. Cracker Barrel operates in the full-service segment of the restaurant industry. Faced with intense competition, and if Cracker Barrel is unable to continue to compete effectively, their business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected. This case study examines the complex and dynamic competitive landscape and pressure to grow as a publicly traded company, and the intensive forces key shareholders can bring to impact Cracker Barrel’s strategic direction and future growth.