Cracker Barrel has built its reputation on down-home comfort food and cozy country atmosphere. But behind those rocking chairs and friendly smiles lies a troubling history that would make anyone’s appetite disappear. From discrimination lawsuits to food safety disasters, this beloved restaurant chain has faced more scandals than most people realize. These shocking incidents reveal a darker side to the wholesome image Cracker Barrel works so hard to maintain.
Customers were deliberately segregated by race
Picture walking into a restaurant only to be seated in a separate section because of your skin color. That’s exactly what happened to countless Black customers at Cracker Barrel locations across the country. The Department of Justice investigated 50 restaurants and found systematic discrimination that would make your jaw drop. Black customers were routinely seated away from white diners, creating an unofficial segregation system that belonged in history books, not modern restaurants.
The situation got so bad that white servers were actually allowed to refuse service to Black customers entirely. When complaints were made, the treatment only got worse. This discrimination lawsuit eventually cost Cracker Barrel $8.7 million to settle. The company was forced to completely overhaul its policies and undergo federal monitoring to prevent future incidents.
Staff used racist code words for customers
A former Cracker Barrel hostess revealed something that shocked millions on social media. She discovered that her coworkers had been using the word “Canadians” as a code word to refer to Black customers. The young woman shared her confusion about why servers always complained when she seated “Canadians” in their sections, especially since Canadians are known for being polite. The truth was far more disturbing than she could have imagined.
When the TikTok video went viral, other restaurant workers came forward with similar stories from their own experiences. The racist codewords weren’t limited to just one location or region. This widespread practice revealed a culture of discrimination that went far beyond isolated incidents. Cracker Barrel’s response was swift damage control, but the trust had already been broken for many customers.
A customer drank industrial cleaner instead of water
William Cronnon thought he was getting a simple water refill during his lunch at a Tennessee Cracker Barrel. Instead, he took a big gulp of Eco-San, a powerful industrial cleaning chemical used to sanitize kitchen equipment. The unmarked container looked identical to regular water pitchers, creating a deadly mix-up that sent Cronnon straight to the emergency room. He suffered severe gastrointestinal damage that required ongoing medical treatment.
The jury didn’t need much time to decide this case. They awarded Cronnon $4.3 million in just 30 minutes, then added another $5 million in punitive damages after only 10 more minutes of discussion. The chemical poisoning incident highlighted serious safety protocol failures that could have killed someone. Despite the massive settlement, Cracker Barrel maintained they disagreed with the jury’s decision.
One location spread salmonella repeatedly
The Cracker Barrel in Kalamazoo, Michigan became a public health nightmare that lasted over a decade. Between 2008 and 2019, this single location was responsible for 35 confirmed cases of salmonella poisoning. The bacteria contamination was so severe that it infected cooking areas, food prep stations, dishwashing equipment, and storage spaces. Even after multiple closures and expensive renovations, the restaurant couldn’t eliminate the dangerous bacteria.
Health officials first noticed the outbreak pattern in 2012, but it took until 2018 to trace the source back to this specific restaurant. The salmonella contamination was so persistent that Cracker Barrel eventually gave up trying to fix the problem. They permanently closed the location in November 2018, admitting they couldn’t prevent future outbreaks. Several employees tested positive for the bacteria but showed no symptoms, making them unknowing carriers.
They fired employees for being gay
In 1991, Cracker Barrel implemented a policy that banned LGBTQ+ employees from working at their restaurants. This wasn’t just a hiring freeze – active employees were actually fired from their jobs solely because of their sexual orientation. The policy targeted people who had been loyal workers, some for years, and destroyed their livelihoods based on personal prejudice. The decision sparked nationwide protests and boycotts from outraged customers.
The company quickly realized their mistake and reversed the policy within weeks, calling it a “well-intentioned overreaction.” However, the damage was already done to the lives of those who lost their jobs. While Cracker Barrel has since implemented LGBTQ+ training and earned an 80 out of 100 score from the Human Rights Campaign, many people never forgot this discriminatory chapter in the company’s history.
A noose was hanging from the ceiling
Alfonso Robinson was eating at a Connecticut Cracker Barrel when he spotted something that made his blood run cold. Hanging from the restaurant’s ceiling was what appeared to be a noose, one of the most painful symbols of racism in American history. He immediately posted about it on social media, asking why such a disturbing item would be displayed in a family restaurant. The image spread quickly, causing another public relations disaster for the chain.
Cracker Barrel’s explanation was that the item was actually an antique soldering iron with wrapped cord, not an intentional noose. Critics weren’t buying this excuse, pointing out that the offensive decoration should never have been displayed regardless of its original purpose. The incident forced the company to conduct a nationwide review of all decorative items in their restaurants, leading to a multi-million dollar redecorating project.
An employee was fired for giving away a muffin
Joe Koblenzer was a 73-year-old military veteran who worked as a host at a Florida Cracker Barrel for three years. When a man who appeared to be homeless asked for some condiments, Koblenzer happily obliged and added a corn muffin to the bag. This simple act of kindness cost him his job. The company fired him for violating their policy against giving away free food, even though the muffin probably cost less than a dollar.
The story went viral when people learned that a senior citizen lost his job for helping someone in need. Over 5,500 people signed a petition demanding Koblenzer be rehired, and news outlets around the world covered the story. Cracker Barrel claimed this was the fifth violation of their food policy, but many saw it as a heartless response to human compassion. The incident became a symbol of corporate policies gone too far.
Food was served covered in blood
Susan Mosher was halfway through her meal at a Texas Cracker Barrel when she made a horrifying discovery. Her plate was covered in bloody fingerprints, with clear handprints visible on her french fries. A kitchen worker had apparently cut himself while preparing her food but continued working instead of stopping to get medical attention. The blood contamination was so obvious that you could see individual fingerprint patterns on the food.
Cracker Barrel’s response was to offer Mosher two $50 gift cards and to pay for blood testing if she wanted it. The Harris County Health Department gave the restaurant nothing more than a warning. This blood contamination incident highlighted serious safety protocol failures in the kitchen. Many people felt that gift cards to the same restaurant that served bloody food wasn’t much of an apology.
Workers were cheated out of proper wages
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cracker Barrel servers found themselves doing more cleaning and non-customer work than ever before. However, they were still paid the reduced “tipped worker” wage of $2.13 per hour, even though they weren’t getting tips for tasks like sanitizing tables and rolling silverware. Federal law requires regular minimum wage when tipped workers spend more than 20% of their time on non-tipped duties.
A class action lawsuit accused Cracker Barrel of taking advantage of the pandemic to make servers work more for less money. The wage violations affected workers who were already struggling during one of the most difficult times in recent history. The case is still ongoing, but it shows how some companies allegedly exploited their workers when they were most vulnerable.
These scandals show that Cracker Barrel’s wholesome image doesn’t always match reality. From discrimination to food safety failures, the company has faced serious problems that go far beyond simple mistakes. While they’ve made efforts to improve, many customers still remember these shocking incidents when deciding where to eat. The next time someone suggests Cracker Barrel, these stories might make them think twice about that country comfort food.
