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Cracker Barrel's struggles continue into summer impacted by delta-related travel slowdown

Cracker Barrel’s same-store sales decreased by 6.8% compared to 2019; Retail and Maple Street Biscuit Company success boost challenged sales

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

September 21, 2021

3 Min Read
Cracker Barrel storefront
Cracker Barrel's revenues were boosted by strong retail and Maple Street Biscuit performance.Cracker Barrel

Joanna Fantozzi

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. reported slower-than-anticipated sales performance during the fourth quarter of 2021 ended July 30, with same-store sales down 6.8% compared to the same quarter in 2019. CEO Sandra Cochran points to a sluggish summer travel season impacted by the delta variant as a major proponent of these lagging quarterly results, as well as staffing challenges and customer preference for pricier special occasion dining over family dining occasions.

But even though Cracker Barrels’ results were not where they thought they’d be, company performance was boosted by retail sales up 18.2% and the surprising positive results of the Maple Street Biscuit Company, which Cracker Barrel purchased in 2019, report...

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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