Cracker Barrel Introduces Strict New Dining Rule for Employees on Business Trips

 

Cracker Barrel  the popular American restaurant chain known for its homestyle Southern cooking, has rolled out a new internal policy that requires traveling employees to eat most of their meals at Cracker Barrel locations. This change was revealed through a leaked company memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal and reported on February 2-3, 2026.

According to the memo, employees are "expected to dine at a Cracker Barrel store for all or the majority of meals while traveling, whenever practical based on location and schedule." This means that during business trips, staff should prioritize eating at the company's own restaurants instead of other places, as part of efforts to control costs.

The policy also tightens rules on alcohol: Employees will no longer be reimbursed for any alcohol purchases made on company trips, unless they get special pre-approval from senior executives (called "E-Team members") for exceptional cases.

This new rule comes at a challenging time for Cracker Barrel. The company has been dealing with declining sales, slower customer traffic, recent layoffs, and backlash from a 2025 logo redesign (which was later reversed after public criticism). By encouraging employees to eat at their own stores, the chain aims to boost internal sales while cutting unnecessary expenses on travel and meals.

The policy is part of broader cost-cutting measures, including delaying non-essential business travel until later in the year. Cracker Barrel has not made an official public statement about the memo, and it's unclear how strictly it will be enforced or if it might change if the company's financial situation improves.

Many people online have discussed the rule, with some seeing it as a smart way to support the brand during tough times, while others view it as overly strict for employees.

This update shows Cracker Barrel's focus on efficiency and self-promotion amid ongoing business challenges.