Cracker Barrel Announces New CEO Amid Logo Controversy Fallout
Cracker Barrel announced that Julie Masino will step down as CEO on August 10, a year after the company faced backlash over its rebranding efforts. She is being replaced by David Deno, former CEO of Bloomin' Brands and experienced in restaurant leadership. The change comes amid ongoing challenges for Cracker Barrel following last summer's controversial logo redesign that led to customer dissatisfaction and public criticism from figures like Donald Trump. The new logo removed the iconic 'Old Timer' character seated next to a wooden barrel, prompting calls for its return. After significant backlash, including free publicity suggestions by Trump on Truth Social, Cracker Barrel reverted to the original design in late August 2025 and abandoned planned restaurant remodels. During an investor call last December, Masino acknowledged the difficulty of regaining customer trust. Deno is expected to bring operational expertise from his previous roles at Bloomin' Brands, where he served as CEO since 2019.
Topics: CEO transition Corporate rebranding Leadership change