Key facts
- Julie Masino is stepping down as CEO of Cracker Barrel on August 10.
- David Deno, former CEO of Bloomin' Brands, will become the new CEO.
- The company faced significant backlash in August 2025 for a logo and store modernization plan.
- Cracker Barrel's stock fell nearly 52% last year but has doubled so far this year.
- The stock was down about 4% following the CEO change announcement.
Cracker Barrel announced that CEO Julie Masino will step down from her role on August 10, after approximately three years leading the company. She will continue with the company in an advisory capacity until October 9.
David Deno, a veteran of the restaurant industry and former CEO of Bloomin' Brands, has been appointed as the new chief executive. The leadership change comes nearly a year after Cracker Barrel faced significant criticism from conservatives, including President Donald Trump, for a temporary decision to modernize its logo and store design.
The company had planned to replace its long-standing "Old-Timer" signage and update its store layout. However, due to social media backlash, Cracker Barrel reverted to its original logo and abandoned the modernization plan. In September 2025, the company stated that this backlash had negatively impacted store traffic and projected annual revenue below expectations.
Cracker Barrel's stock experienced a nearly 52% decline over the past year, though it has since doubled. Following the announcement of Masino's departure, the stock was down approximately 4%. The company also recently divested a portion of its Maple Street Biscuit business and anticipates exceeding its core profit outlook for fiscal year 2026.