1969 First Cracker Barrel Opened
Dan W. Evins opened the first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on September 19, 1969, located on Highway 109 in Lebanon, TN. And yes, even then the corn bread was made from scratch.
Historical Timeline
Our history has always been rooted in the warm hospitality and homestyle cooking that makes every location special. See how we made Cracker Barrel your home away from home.
1977 Cracker Barrel Expanded to 13 Locations
People seemed more than pleased with the cooking, and by 1977, Dan Evins and his investors (most of whom were local friends and associates) had opened 13 stores from Kentucky to Georgia.
1977 Bill Holley Creates Logo
As Cracker Barrel expanded, Dan Evins wanted to redesign the logo for his growing business. Bill Holley, a designer from a Nashville advertising agency, met Dan and sketched his first draft of the Cracker Barrel logo on a napkin. With their shared Tennessee roots, Bill knew just what Dan wanted.
1981 Cracker Barrel Became Publicly Traded
Flush with praise and the growing loyalty of guests with a taste for homestyle cooking, the company’s expansion reached beyond the front porch and onto the stock exchange.
1992 Company Obtained $1 Billion Market Value
The company grew consistently through the 1980s and 1990s, attaining a $1 billion market value by 1992. In 1993, Cracker Barrel’s revenue was nearly twice that of any other family restaurant.
2001 Cracker Barrel Expanded to 420 Locations Nationwide
Between 1997 and 2000, the number of Cracker Barrels increased to more than 420 locations.
2005 Cracker Barrel Cares Charity was Formed
Cracker Barrel employees have always joined together to assist their coworkers in times of crisis. What started as simple acts of kindness evolved into Cracker Barrel Cares, an employee-funded non-profit organization formed to help Cracker Barrel employees in times of need.
2013 Cracker Barrel Launched Licensed Products
Cracker Barrel began to deliver the taste of its authentic homestyle goods to supermarkets. Today, a variety of bacon, hams, deli meats, baking mixes and more are available at grocery stores under our CB Old Country Store® brand - all ready to take home. Learn more
2016 Cracker Barrel Opened Holler and Dash
With the first locations open, Holler & Dash Biscuit House is Cracker Barrel’s new fast casual restaurant. With its chef-inspired menu that pays tribute to the South in an innovative and modern way, the restaurant brings together fresh ingredients and layers of flavors with the company’s beloved Southern hospitality.
2018 Cracker Barrel Goes West
Cracker Barrel brings its popular homestyle Southern cooking to the Golden State for the first time with its location in Victorville, California. After opening stores in the Las Vegas and Portland areas, Cracker Barrel has continued to expand West to bring our unique version of Southern hospitality and charm to Victorville and the state of California.
2019 Cracker Barrel Has 661 Restaurants in 45 States
2019 Cracker Barrel Turns 50
Founded in 1969, this year Cracker Barrel celebrates its 50th anniversary of bringing its mission of Pleasing People to life.