Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants have been around since 1969, nestled strategically off interstates to attract drivers with their convenience, southern hospitality, range of food options and affordable menu prices.

But Cracker Barrel may be losing its charm amid a physical makeover, according to some.

Rachel Love, a 38-year-old Tennessee resident and self-proclaimed Cracker Barrel fan, recently caught the restaurant chain’s attention with her social media video.

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“When Cracker Barrel took away the last piece of nostalgia you had left,” Love captioned in a TikTok video last month as she showed the inside of an updated location. (See the video at the top of this article.)

The post has amassed thousands of comments from other Cracker Barrel lovers, many of whom disapprove of the new look and prefer the original concept.

Love told Fox News Digital she was in “shock” when she first saw the white walls and giant mural on the side of the restaurant near her parents’ house.

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“I thought they were priming it to paint it brown again,” she said.

The interior décor had also been altered.

A Cracker Barrel location in Tennessee is painted white with murals on the side of the building. (Rachel Love)

“There’s no antiques on the wall,” Love said. “The only antiques they have were on the fireplace mantle.”

‘Very transparent’

Cracker Barrel chief marketing officer Sarah Moore said all the things that people love about the Tennessee restaurant chain aren’t going away.

“Over the past year, we have been very transparent about our transformation platform,” Moore told Fox News Digital. “One of our strategies is really centered on that physical guest experience.”

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Cracker Barrel has been testing “various levels of remodels,” Moore told Fox News Digital.

“It’s all about evolution with intentionality,” she said. “We’ve been very transparent about our goal of making our stores feel brighter and even more welcoming than they already are, while maintaining that country hospitality and charm that we’re known for.”

Cracker Barrel has been in business since 1969, but it is undergoing changes. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

That includes the brand’s signature rocking chairs and peg games.

“None of that is going away,” Moore said. “We’re just looking at ways to freshen up the experience so that we can open our door a bit wider for more guests.”

Love said she’s been contacted by Cracker Barrel employees wishing to remain anonymous who said the souvenir store – a popular way for customers to pass the time while waiting for a table – is part of the revamp.

Moore said there’s no reason to worry.

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“The retail store is such a differentiator for us. It is such an important part of our overall experience. Things of that nature, the things that make us truly who we are — that’s not changing.”

“Thank you for loving Cracker Barrel as much as we do!”

Still, Love’s video created such buzz that Cracker Barrel reached out with a peace offering that included a gift basket full of knickknacks. 

“Hi Rachel! Just a little something to say thank you for loving Cracker Barrel as much as we do! Your Friends, Cracker Barrel,” a note on the card read.

Rachel Love shows off the letter she received from Cracker Barrel in response to her viral TikTok video. (Fox News Digital)

Moore said Cracker Barrel listens to its customers.

“What the guests asked for are things like spaces that feel brighter, that feel less cluttered, more booth seating, more seating options, so our guests are more comfortable while they’re dining with us,” she said.

‘Menu evolution’

Love said she believes the quality of the food has declined in recent years. “I think they’re trying to save on the food costs,” she said.

Cracker Barrel added alcohol a few years ago – something Love said wasn’t necessary.

“If I’m out at a nice dinner, I’ll drink,” she said. “I’m not going to Cracker Barrel to drink.”

Guests can also expect more menu changes. “Similar to our remodel strategy, menu evolution has also been a clear pillar within our transformation framework,” Moore told Fox News Digital.

Cracker Barrel is “doubling down on our breakfast, which is a strength for us, but also expanding our dinner offerings.”

The “campfire” meals, absent since 2018, recently returned to the menu, along with the all-new Campfire Shrimp Skillet, “an incredible value,” Moore said.

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“I don’t think we get enough credit for the value that we offer,” Moore said. “We offer so many ways to find value in your own way when you come to Cracker Barrel. If you think about it, our average check is $14 compared to $27 for the casual dining industry. Delicious food in abundance has always been part of our value equation.”

Cracker Barrel’s Campfire Shrimp Skillet is new to the menu in 2025. (Cracker Barrel)

Love hopes the responses to her video will lead Cracker Barrel to tamp down on the cosmetic changes and focus more on the food.

“Prepare it with love like it used to be. That’s where it all starts,” she said. “The food has to get better. Just adding new options is not going to change how people feel about it.”

Cracker Barrel, however, suggested it has an eye on the future while recognizing its past. 

“Everything we’re doing is deeply rooted in who we are,” Moore said. “It’s just, how do we carry forward those things that have made us so beloved for the last 55 years? How do we set up for the next 55 years?”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill believes an investigation into how 10 inmates escaped a New Orleans jail will lead to arrests of more people on the inside, she told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday morning.

Murrill said that authorities are continuing to investigate how exactly the 10 inmates were able to escape and added that she expects more arrests of those on the inside who might have assisted. 

“There certainly will be more consequences from this event. We just have to be methodical in the investigation,” she said. 

Authorities said Tuesday that one jail employee, Sterling Williams, was arrested and accused of helping the inmates escape.

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Murrill also said that despite the time that has passed since 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans County Correctional Facility on Friday morning, law enforcement continues to follow up on credible leads and believes the remaining five escapees are still in the area.

“I’ve notified neighboring state officials that they could have headed in that direction, but my gut says that they’re probably staying close to home unless they have significant resources somewhere else,” Murrill said. “You’re just unlikely to go somewhere where you have zero support and help, most of these, if not all of these individuals grew up in New Orleans.”

So far, all the recaptured inmates have been found in New Orleans. 

“They were young children, really, during the time of Hurricane Katrina,” said Murrill. “Their resources are here, so I really expect that they are staying around here and the longer this goes on, the more dependent they are on trying to find people to help them. There’s a pretty large reward out, and I’m confident that we’re going to collect them all.

“It’s a process, and there are a lot of people involved in the process, but they’ve been effective, and they are gathering people up.”

New Orleans jail escapee Gary Price is escorted to a helicopter by police who captured him. (Louisiana State Police)

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Louisiana State Police (LSP) announced 19-year-old Corey Boyd’s capture Tuesday night, saying that he was found in New Orleans. On Wednesday morning, an updated LSP Facebook post said Boyd was “transported to a secure state correctional facility outside of the area” and that he has been charged with simple escape. 

Boyd was one of two men captured on surveillance footage in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Friday morning, just hours after the brazen breakout.

He is accused of killing a man named Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024 and was in jail awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery and threatening a public official before the escape. 

Louisiana State Police arrested escaped inmate Corey Boyd. ( )

Boyd’s arrest was Tuesday’s second major development in the case that has captured nationwide attention. 

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Earlier in the day, police arrested 33-year-old Williams, an employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and charged him with 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. 

He was assessed a $1.1 million bond, $100,000 for each charge, according to Murrill’s office. 

According to an arrest affidavit, Williams claims he was coerced into participating via violent threats. 

Photo of Sterling Williams, who is accused of helping 10 inmates escape from the Orleans Parish Jail. (Louisiana Department of Justice)

“LBI Agents were assigned to review information in attempt to determine if anyone, from the OPSO staff or outside personnel, assisted in the escape. During a mirandized interview with Williams, he explained to Agents that he turned the water off from the outside pipe walk area on the exterior of cell 6 under direction of a light skinned black male with tattoos on his face, whom he named as ‘Massey,’ formally known as Antoine Massey, who threatened to shank him if he did not turn the water off,” the affidavit said. 

According to Fox 8, Massey has a history of escaping from custody. 

“There isn’t an ounce of this man’s history that doesn’t say ‘escape,’” Matt Dennis of ASAP Electronic Monitors, which provides ankle monitoring services, told the outlet. “He had no intention of wearing an ankle monitor.”

The five men who remain on the run are:

• Lenton J. Vanburen Jr., 26, faces charges of illegal carrying of weapons, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, obstruction of justice and introducing contraband in prison.
• Jermaine Donald, 42, faces charges of second-degree murder, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice.
• Antoine Massey, 32, faces charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation, theft of a motor vehicle and a parole violation.
• Derrick Groves, 27, faces three counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and battery of a correctional facility employee.
• Leo O. Tate Sr., 31, faces charges of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, illegal carrying of a weapon, motor vehicle theft and multiple drug counts.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Louisiana State Police, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and FBI New Orleans for comment. 

Fox News’ Adam Sabes and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report. 

T. Chaz Stevens, founder of the religion he calls “Satanology,” is calling for Brevard Public Schools to display banners at five high schools in Brevard County, Florida.

The Florida activist, who runs REVOLT boot camp, is seeking to place banners promoting what he calls the Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soirée at Heritage High School, Melbourne High School, Palm Bay Magnet High School, Rockledge High School and Viera High School.

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Stevens is requesting that the school district put up banners promoting Satanology after noticing a Trinity Church banner hanging on the fence outside the football stadium at Palm Bay Magnet High School in Melbourne, Florida.

In an interview with Fox News, Stevens also stated that he is seeking to advertise Satanology on the electronic signs.

“They have an electronic sign and on the electronic sign: Palm Bay Magnet High School thanks the church. So we’re going to ask today, the school board, to put us up. Not only the banners on the chain link fence, but also on the electronic billboards,” Stevens said.

The activist raised a similar complaint in Broward County, Florida, which resulted in the removal of similar banners at public schools.

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A Florida activist is seeking to place banners in five high schools in Brevard County, Florida. (Google Earth)

“I am not a lawyer but I have filed pro se court cases in federal court against Broward County school districts,” he explained. “Where Broward County did basically the same kind of thing and while I lost in court—but unexpectedly, Broward County revised—because of my efforts—Broward County revised their policy and has taken down the church banners on the chain link fence.”

The banner Stevens is seeking to display promotes the religion he founded, the “Ministry of Chaz the Bropostle and his Bro-Minions,” and contains the motto, “Satan loves the First Amendment.”

When asked if he is pursuing freedom for all religions or to display his own banner only, Stevens responded that the First Amendment says, “‘All or none.’ So it’s everyone or no one. But they have a third case, what they are doing right now, which is ‘some.’”

He continues, “What I want is the separation of Church and State. No banners on the chain link fence. But if they’re going to allow some, they’ve got to put me up.”

The Trinity Church of Melbourne uses the high school as its location and displays its hours of service on an electronic sign as well as on a banner on the school’s fence. Stevens states that he views the banner as an advertisement and that the school created what he describes as a “limited public forum” when the banner was displayed.

Stevens’ website lists his recent projects as the “Satan or Silence” project, “In God We Trust” posters, “10 Commandments” posters, and a campaign to “ban Bibles” in all 63 Florida school districts.

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T. Chaz Stevens is calling for Satanology banners to be displayed at five high schools. (Chaz Stevens)

When asked if he has activist projects for other religions or solely Christianity, Stevens responded, “We’ve had a problem with Christianity being the majority voice throughout our entire history.”

“The great majority of America self-describes as Christians,” he said. “The powerful majority voice by great numbers are the Christians.”

“And when you look at the church banners that are going up, these aren’t church banners for Islam. These aren’t church banners for Wiccans. These aren’t church banners for the Druids. If the Druids were doing this I’d be going after the Druids. The people that are doing this are Christians.”

Fox News reached out to Brevard County School District but has yet to receive a response.