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Cracker Barrel targets Maple Street for urban marketsCracker Barrel targets Maple Street for urban markets

CEO Sandra Cochran says fast-casual breakfast-lunch brand appeals to Millennials, Gen Z

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 26, 2019

2 Min Read
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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. expects to complete the conversion of six of its seven Holler & Dash fast-casual units to the newly acquired Maple Street Biscuit Co. brand by spring and to open one new unit of the 33-unit restaurant, executives said Tuesday.

The Lebanon, Tenn.-based family-dining company bought the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Maple Street in October for $36 million, a deal that followed an equity investment of up to $140 million in the Denver-based Punch Bowl Social brand in the summer.

“Our experience with Holler & Dash has reinforced our belief that the breakfast and lunch-focused fast-casual segment is an attractive category,” said Sandra Cochran, Cracker Barrel CEO, in a first-quarter earnings call.

“We believe Maple...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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