Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Employee Shopping Days at Cracker Barrel in Canton Ga

Wednesday and Thursday, December 5 and 6 will finish out Employee Shopping days at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Canton, Ga.

During the Employee Shopping days employees and up to 8 people with the employee can purchase items in the store and restaurant at a 10% discount. Employees can use their employee discount card to get an additional 35% off if they are a Par 4 worker. This is a good opportunity for employees and their friends and family to take advantage of the discounted prices offered by Cracker Barrel during these special shopping days.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Darden Restaurants looks to limit employee hours due to Obama Care - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Darden Restaurants looks to limit employee hours due to Obama Care - Atlanta Business Chronicle

One of the effects of Obama Care that perhaps should have been foreseen by those who implemented the plan. This move by Darden Restaurants could drive more skilled workers to Cracker Barrel. As of this writing, Cracker Barrel is still offering insurance to workers who work a minimum of 24 hours per week. So far I have not noticed full-time workers losing hours nor heard of any implementation of this practice.

Darden Restaurants may learn find that using a part-time labor pool may reduce the quality of their workers thereby reducing the quality of their food service. It is easy to fill a position in a restaurant, but not so easy to find someone who will fill that position well. Just about anybody can perform most of the jobs in a restaurant, but it is not everyone who can perform that job well.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Cracker Barrel furthers proxy fight - Businessweek

Cracker Barrel furthers proxy fight - Businessweek

As a long time employee of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store I am wondering why the board of directors are so afraid of allowing Sardar Biglari and Phil Cooley to be on the board. I am sure there is a lot I do not know about the situation but I cannot help wondering why Sandra Cochran thinks that Biglari could hurt the momentum of Cracker Barrel. What if Biglari has some fresh ideas that could carry the company higher? Maybe Biglari has some great ideas, but maybe those great ideas might shake things up for the board of directors and other "white collars" in Lebanon. I would love to talk with Sadar and hear his side and tell him about what goes on at the grass roots level.

Working in the restaurant, I have my own ideas about how Cracker Barrel could do things different to give the guests a better dining experience. and benefit workers as well. Not that Cracker Barrel is  poorly run or doing badly, I do not believe either; however, there is always ways that we can improve. Hey Sadar, or Sandra, if you read this and want to talk give a call at the Cracker Barrel in Canton, Ga Store 425 and ask for Paul. Love to hear from you.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Voted #1 in 2012 Consumer Picks Survey - Yahoo! Finance

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Voted #1 in 2012 Consumer Picks Survey - Yahoo! Finance

Cracker Barrel is in the 1st slot in 2012 Consumer Picks Survey. Being an employee of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for over 17 years I have witnessed the evolution of Cracker Barrel. Over the years Cracker Barrel has implemented changes to try to keep in step with changing times, at times a little behind the curve yet still trying to move with the flow. As of lately Cracker Barrel leadership seems to be a little more on top of things in changing to meet the needs of their customers.

However, with all the changes over the year Cracker Barrel has still maintained their core menu that has captured the taste buds of their customer base. Additionally, the menu prices have remained reasonable in spite of rising prices.

While I believe that adapting to an ever changing consumer landscape, being true to core menu and keeping prices reasonable have been a key component of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store's ongoing success; I believe the main driver of Cracker Barrel's success is their focus on pleasing people, a practice that will never go out of style.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Gibson Guitar, Cracker Barrel advance in Social Madness - Vote for the best company in Memphis's business competition

Gibson Guitar, Cracker Barrel advance in Social Madness - Vote for the best company in Memphis's business competition

Things seem to be going well at Cracker Barrel store 425 in Canton, Georgia. I am glad to see that Cracker Barrel is still in the running in this competition.

Business has slowed a little as kids in Cherokee and the surrounding counties have resumed school; however, in my opinion the business at the Canton Cracker Barrel is holding its own.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Country cooking: Make a healthy Cracker Barrel salad

Country cooking: Make a healthy Cracker Barrel salad

Who says you can't eat healthy at Cracker Barrel? Cracker Barrel nutritionsist reveals recipe for one of Cracker Barrel's new offerings, the Grilled Chicken and Vegetable salad. Cracker Barrel has always offered awesome salads with an option for low-carb or fat-free dressings for the health conscious diner. This new salad adds some pizazz to the traditional Grilled Chicken salad, which was a tasty entree in its own rights.




The problem with eating healthy at Cracker Barrel is not the lack of healthy options but all the unhealthy temptations that leap off the menu to lead your palette astray. Some of these options include the buttermilk biscuits, country fried steak, sawmill gravy, blackberry cobbler, deep fried shrimp and a whole host of sumptuous treats that go to waist(pun intended).



If you want some Cracker Barrel, you can still eat healthy if you can abstain from the tasty fat, calorie laden delights. But if you are like me and you hate to pass up an opportunity to enjoy some of the best country cooking you will find in a restaurant; practice moderation.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Heritage & History | Cracker Barrel

Heritage & History | Cracker Barrel


This link is to the Cracker Barrel site and provides the history of the iconic, interstate restaurant. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has a rich legacy started by the late Dan Evans in 1969. I have been with Cracker Barrel since 1995 in store #5 in Dalton, Ga. I am currently at store #425 in Canton, Ga.

Cracker Barrel is not your typical restaurant but in my opinion stands head and shoulders above the competition. With a diverse menu that has evolved over the years and yet has stayed true to its core offerings while maintaining its quality and a general store containing everything from cast iron cookware to music cds, Cracker Barrel has much to offer to those who pass through the wooden double doors.

I personally have witnessed firsthand Cracker Barrels commitment to guest satisfaction as I have worked as a waiter for nearly seventeen years, 5 part-time, nearly 12 full-time. Not only have I seen Cracker Barrel treat their guests graciously, but as an employee, my overall experience with Cracker Barrel has been a positive one.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Cracker Barrel's Earnings Beat Last Year's by 34% - DailyFinance

Cracker Barrel's Earnings Beat Last Year's by 34% - DailyFinance

Things are looking up for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Having worked for the company for nearly 17 years, I believe they have a sound business model and the numbers continue to back it up. When I started working for Cracker Barrel in 1995, the mission statement was pleasing people and the goal was 100% guest satisfaction. I am not sure if the mission statement and goal is exactly the same in 2012, but I see those principles carried out everyday in my Cracker Barrel in canton, Ga. Way to go, Cracker Barrel.

GM Leaving Store Cracker Barrel 425

John Rotundi will be leaving the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Canton, Ga to become the General Manager at the Cartersville store. John has been the GM at the canton location for around 5 years. Having worked at this location for the past 11 years, I believe under John's leadership the Canton Cracker Barrel has moved forward. John is the 4th General Manager I have worked under since I came to the Canton location in 2011 and if I remember correctly, the only one to leave on a positive note. It seems when I get adjusted to a manager and get comfortable with them that they usually end up leaving our store, time to get used to another General Manager. Oh well, managers move on and life goes on.