Cracker Barrel is launching a test of 20 menu items across select markets, from green chile cornbread to banana pudding
Joanna Fantozzi
Cracker Barrel is officially unveiling its largest menu test in the struggling family dining chain’s history. The menu overhaul, which will be tested for a limited time at select Texas restaurants, is part of Cracker Barrel’s strategic transformation that was announced last month.
The 20-menu item test, which includes green chile cornbread and banana pudding, began in February at a singular store, and has now expanded to 14 Texas Cracker Barrel locations, available now through Aug. 5. Highlights of the menu revamp include:
Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd's Pie: a slow-simmered pot roast served with onions, celery, carrots, peas, and mashed potatoes topped with a griddled hashbrown casserole crust and sour cream. The item is served with a choice of buttermilk biscuits or cornbread muffins.
Green Chile Cornbread: cheesy green chile cornbread drizzled with honey and topped with whipped butter.
Chicken n' Dumplin Soup: homestyle “dumplins” served with shredded chicken, celery, carrots, and onions in broth.
Cinnamon Bread French Toast: griddled cinnamon streusel bread topped with cinnamon and cream cheese icing. The item is served with two eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage.
Banana Pudding: the banana pudding is layered with vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and caramel sauce.
A revamp of the daily specials menu, which will rotate among menu classics like Lemon Pepper Trout n’ Classic Turnip Greens and the new Southern BBQ Ribs and savory Chicken n' Rice.
"For nearly 55 years, guests have known and loved us for our authentic, homestyle cooking, and that's not going away, we've only added more flavor and crave to the menu and made it easier to navigate," Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer, senior vice president of operations for Cracker Barrel, said in a statement. "We look forward to gaining valuable feedback from both our guests and employees on the test."
Cracker Barrel has been struggling with sales and traffic since the COVID-19 pandemic. After several quarters of dwindling numbers, including most recently, a 4% traffic decline for the second quarter ended Jan. 26, the company introduced this brand overhaul as a long-term solution plan, which includes this menu enhancement test, alongside other initiatives like store remodels and digital technology investment. The goal, CEO Julie Felss-Masino has said, is to modernize and refresh the Cracker Barrel brand without losing the homestyle charm the company is known for.
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