One Southern State Hit Hardest by Cracker Barrel–Owned Restaurant Shutdowns
Cracker Barrel has quietly shut down 14 restaurant locations tied to its Maple Street Biscuit Company brand, with one Southern state bearing the brunt of the closures. The shutdowns reflect a broader effort by the company to trim underperforming locations after a turbulent year marked by declining traffic and brand missteps.
A Subsidiary Takes the Hit
The closures do not involve traditional Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations. Instead, they affect Maple Street Biscuit Company, a fast-casual breakfast chain Cracker Barrel acquired in 2019 as part of its expansion strategy.
Fourteen Locations Gone
Cracker Barrel confirmed that all 14 Maple Street locations slated for closure have already shut their doors. Company executives said the affected restaurants failed to meet financial expectations, prompting the decision during fiscal planning for 2026.
Texas Hit Hardest
Texas experienced the largest concentration of closures, with seven Maple Street Biscuit Company locations shutting down across the Dallas–Fort Worth area. These closures account for half of all locations affected nationwide, making Texas the hardest-hit state in the pullback.
Closures in Fast-Growing Areas
Many of the Texas restaurants were located in rapidly expanding suburbs, including Frisco, McKinney, Keller, and Wylie. Despite population growth and heavy retail development, these locations struggled to generate consistent traffic amid intense competition in the breakfast and brunch market.
Other Southern States Affected
Beyond Texas, closures also occurred in Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. These states saw fewer shutdowns, often one or two locations each, typically in tourist-heavy or mid-sized markets.
The Role of Financial Pressure
Cracker Barrel executives acknowledged that several Maple Street locations underperformed financially. Rising operating costs, uneven breakfast demand, and lingering effects from shifts in work schedules weighed heavily on certain regions.
A Brand in Transition
The closures come after Cracker Barrel faced backlash over a proposed logo redesign that briefly altered its traditional image. Company leaders later admitted they underestimated customer attachment to the brand’s nostalgic identity, contributing to an 8% traffic decline following the rollout.
What Remains Open
Despite the closures, more than 50 Maple Street Biscuit Company locations continue operating nationwide. Cracker Barrel has signaled that it still views the brand as part of its long-term portfolio, with future efforts focused on stronger-performing markets.
Looking Ahead
Cracker Barrel says it plans to streamline operations while opening new flagship Cracker Barrel locations. The company aims to stabilize traffic and refocus on core customers as it works through the aftermath of a challenging year.
