Cracker Barrel, a Tennessee-based restaurant chain with over 660 locations and 70,000 employees, has decided to halt its restaurant remodels and revert to its original “Old Timer” logo following significant customer backlash. The company had tested a modernized design, including a new text-based logo and updated store interiors with brighter lighting and fewer wall decorations, in just four locations as part of an effort to compete in the family dining market and attract younger customers.

However, longtime fans criticized the changes, particularly the new logo for lacking the brand’s signature personality and the remodeled interiors for straying from the chain’s vintage Americana charm. In response, Cracker Barrel announced it will suspend the remodels, ensuring unremodeled locations remain unchanged, and bring back the iconic “Old Timer” imagery used since the 1970s.

The company emphasized its commitment to listening to customers, promising to maintain its traditional elements like rocking chairs, fireplaces, peg games, and antique decor sourced from its Tennessee warehouse, acknowledging that the modern design did not reflect what customers love about Cracker Barrel.