Cracker Barrel to launch a fast casual in 2016

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is developing plans for a new fast casual concept.

Specific details about the concept such as a name and menu information are not yet available from the family-dining company, but Cracker Barrel spokeswoman Janella Escobar said the goal is to open the first store or stores by the end of July 2016.

Fast casual restaurants typically do not offer full table service and are categorized between fast food and casual dining. It's a segment of the dining industry that is gaining speed, led by popular brands such as Chipotle and Panera Bread.

"We believe, and third-party consumer research supports, that the Cracker Barrel brand is the most unique and differentiated brand in full-service dining, with high levels of customer loyalty and satisfaction," Escobar wrote in an email. "We expect our fast casual concept to leverage the strength of our brand while providing a different type of guest experience."
 

Read the Full Article

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Operations

Chick-fil-A takes on a piece of architectural history in Los Angeles

Raising Cane's plan to restore an iconic Googie restaurant recently caused an uproar. Chick-fil-A, meanwhile, is rehabbing another historic property with the same style. But here's why it's different.

Financing

The best franchise growth incentive? Better unit economics

The Bottom Line: Restaurant chains appear to be using various incentives to get their franchisees to build more units. But the best incentive remains pretty simple: Stronger sales and profits.

Food

Pei Wei expands its pantry to launch lighter, protein-focused dishes

Behind the Menu: The new items target healthy lifestyles, providing balance to the fast casual’s more indulgent Asian classics.

Trending

More from our partners