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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. has ended its relationship with the consultancy that oversaw its logo and brand refresh initiatives, the company said Thursday.
The Lebanon, Tenn.-based family dining brand, which encountered a backlash for its efforts to update its logo and refresh its locations, said in a statement that the company “confirmed that it is ending its engagement with Prophet, the global strategic and creative growth consultancy that advised Cracker Barrel on its previous brand refresh initiatives, including the logo and restaurant redesigns.”
After a public backlash, the company switched back to its old logo in August, and in September said it would halt its remodel program.
The company on Thursday also announced organizational changes, which it said were “designed to streamline the leadership team and better support the field.”
Among the leadership changes:
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Doug Hisel, previously vice president of field operations, was promoted to senior vice president for store operations, overseeing field operations and operations services. Hisel is an 18-year veteran of Cracker Barrel, starting at the company as an associate manager in Indianapolis, Ind., in 2007.
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Thomas Yun rejoined the company as vice president for menu strategy and innovation, replacing Matthew Banton. Yun previously served in this role at Cracker Barrel from 2022 to 2024 and was responsible for developing some of the company’s most successful menu introductions, including chicken and rice and pot roast.
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Heather Hager, vice president for retail and design, and Heather Gammon, vice president for demand planning, took on expanded roles and absorbed responsibilities of Laura Daily, senior vice president and chief merchant and retail supply chain, who recently announced her retirement.
“We are grateful to Laura for her leadership, including being a driving force behind the growth of our retail business during her tenure, and thank Cammie for the meaningful contributions and impact she made through her nearly a decade at the company,” Julie Masino, Cracker Barrel CEO, said in a statement. “On behalf of our entire team, we wish Laura and Cammie the best in their next chapters.”
Masino said the company had already made some changes in its processes.
“There is more to come as we get ready to deliver a memorable holiday season for our guests,” Masino said. “We are committed to ongoing improvements as we build on Cracker Barrel’s legacy and honor the traditions that make this brand so special.”
