As a Christian and a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a former server for Cracker Barrel in Athens, TN for almost 9 years, I love the company for it’s original values. Wholesome, totally family oriented and that real country feel. Downhome hospitality and such a warm, friendly environment. A place where you were happy to take your family because you knew it was a safe place where you could get great country cooking and relax. A place that was different from every other major corporate chain restaurant. No sports TVs and alcohol and almost never any vulgarity. Plus, their prices were typically better than most other chain restaurants and a great uniform standard. Now the powers that be have almost ruined all of that. They have stripped away that wholesome feel and the identity of what made Cracker Barrel great. Almost completely gone astray from what the founders built the company on. A company that was voted “Best Family Restaurant in America” not too many years ago. Now read what I would do if I were selected as the next CEO of Cracker Barrel.
I would remove the alcohol immediately. I would bring back the menu items that not only were staples for decades but also very good and part of what made Cracker Barrel’s menu unique. I would bring back the uniform standard and the wholesome environment. I would strive to lower the prices as much as possible to give Cracker Barrel that competitive edge. I would bring back wholesome to the company. In effect, I would do all I could to bring back the standards which made this company great. Reverse the rapidly declining public opinion of this once great company. I would set up a digital “suggestion box” for our employees so that they could give us feedback directly from our guests. And I would direct our advertising to reflect these changes and be the spokesperson you saw in those ads at least for a while. And I would make every effort to communicate with our loyal guests on what we were doing for their benefit. I would see to it that Cracker Barrel was once again selected as “Best Family Restaurant in America”.
What are my qualifications? I’m 57 years old with a wealth of business experience at all levels of business from private to corporate. I have excellent people skills and proven leadership skills. I listen effectively. I was the Executive Vice President of Marketing for a company that went from a start up to a million dollar company in 3 years and also the Executive Vice President of Communications for that same company. I have a very strong vision of how to bring this company back and make it even better with my focus being on what is best for the guests and employees of Cracker Barrel. I have very strong morals with a commitment to making Cracker Barrel a dynamic, family friendly restaurant and old country store again.
How can you help? You can write to Cracker Barrel and show your support for choosing me. If you know any decision makers in Cracker Barrel, you can relay this message to them. This is not a random thing but something I feel led of the Lord to write and something I am 100% confident God will bless me to succeed at! My number is (423) 381-0925. Thank you!
