Cracker Barrel lifts revenue outlook after customer scores rise

Cracker Barrel raised its full-year revenue outlook this week after reporting higher customer-satisfaction scores. The company now projects revenue between $3.27 billion and $3.3 billion, up from its prior range of $3.24 billion to $3.27 billion. The 56-year-old chain, based in Lebanon, Tennessee, also replaced the marketing firm tied to last year’s rebranding effort and promoted a longtime executive to oversee store operations.

A former vice president was brought back to handle menu strategy.

Kitchen practices under review A cook employed by the chain said supervisors have directed staff to reheat some rice and meatloaf portions in the microwave and to serve day-old seasoned rice. ” The company disputed the account. It stated that rice is prepared daily, meatloaf is cooked and served fresh each day, and reheating for next-day service is not its process.

Earlier changes reversed Last year the company had planned to update dining rooms and remove its longtime logo figure. Those steps were later reversed, and kitchen staff returned to daily preparation of biscuits and kettle-cooked vegetables. Kitchen employees who had seen hours reduced are now working full-time shifts.

The company said quality, value, food taste, and service scores have increased and its Google star rating has improved.