Cracker Barrel loses almost $100 million.

[wing2000]

As I often do, I like to frame inverse examples to put things in perspective.

...and as you often do, the example is exaggerated to the point of losing any perspective.

 

[durangodawood]

People, just switch to Pickle Tub, where old white men were never cancelled.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

People, just switch to Pickle Tub, where old white men were never cancelled.

Old Time store with modern prices, the best of both non canceled realities.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

...and as you often do, the example is exaggerated to the point of losing any perspective.

Not really...

In it's basic terms, it was taking a place that was distinctly "rural/"country"/"southern"/"Christian" and toning down those themes...hence, people who liked those vibes saw it as a broader statement of "we need less of that" and that initiative coming from a person who was known to be affiliated with some DEI initiatives certainly didn't help matters.

To use a bad pun... they took the Cracker out of Cracker Barrell.


So I think my example was apropos.

If a person (who was on the record as advocating for some conservative causes), took over rebranding at Sweetgreen, and "toned down" (or even reversed) some of the "artsy folk" stuff, removed some of the eco-sustainability artwork and put up some "faith & freedom" pictures, and got rid of some of the "environmentally aware food options" in exchange for stuff you could get at an Applebee's... progressive patrons/regulars of that restaurant would most certainly view that as a "culture war" thing.

 

[wing2000]

Not really...

In it's basic terms, it was taking a place that was distinctly "rural/"country"/"southern"/"Christian" and toning down those themes...hence, people who liked those vibes saw it as a broader statement of "we need less of that" and that initiative coming from a person who was known to be affiliated with some DEI initiatives certainly didn't help matters.

To use a bad pun... they took the Cracker out of Cracker Barrell.


So I think my example was apropos.

If a person (who was on the record as advocating for some conservative causes), took over rebranding at Sweetgreen, and "toned down" (or even reversed) some of the "artsy folk" stuff, removed some of the eco-sustainability artwork and put up some "faith & freedom" pictures, and got rid of some of the "environmentally aware food options" in exchange for stuff you could get at an Applebee's... progressive patrons/regulars of that restaurant would most certainly view that as a "culture war" thing.

I'll concede those points. However, the Sweetgreen logo examples were a bit exaggerated.

 

[durangodawood]

So I think my example was apropos.
....

Nonsense. Yours was a complete u-turn full of ideological content. Cracker Barrel was just an aesthetic refresh and mild decluttering.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

I'll concede those points. However, the Sweetgreen logo examples were a bit exaggerated.

I used ChatGPT for the logo example lol

I uploaded their logo and said "give me a few modified versions of this that their progressive customer base wouldn't like"

And the options were the one I uploaded, and another that had a picture of a hamburger inside the "G"

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Nonsense. Yours was a complete u-turn full of ideological content. Cracker Barrel was just an aesthetic refresh and mild decluttering.

"We need to make it look more modern instead of Rustic and Country'ish"

"We're going to add these more "trendy" menu options"

"We're going to scale down the gift shops and change up the product selection that's in them"


When the aesthetics and "clutter items" were part of the "vibe" itself, and was done in the name of "creating a welcoming and approachable space for a wider audience" -- one could reasonable interpret that to be some "coded language".


It should be noted, while it was nowhere near the scale of this backlash, there were some folks who weren't thrilled when Popeye's Chicken did a similar kind of rebrand (where they just made every thing sort of "vanilla" for the decor and style)


And it doesn't even have to be something as drastic as a full flown u-turn. Simply the removal of a specificity in favor of "neutral" can be perceived that way as well. We've seen that with several brands in the past few years.

When brands pulled back on some of stuff in favor of "let's just be more neutral so it's more approachable for a wider audience", there were some progressive groups who saw it as a "betrayal" of sorts (Target and Starbucks would be good examples of that)


It's understandable that people don't necessarily love the idea of when "my kind of place" gets morphed into "generic place for everyone"


As another example, let's say there was a restaurant chain that heavily focused on Latin Americana in terms of the style, decor, menu offerings, music... If a corporate re-brand took place that made it bland/neutral in the name of "this way it'll appeal to a wider audience and be more generic". The Latin American patrons would be understandable in raising the objection of "Wait a minute, this was our kind of place and our thing, and you're making it into a watered down version of TGI Fridays... they've already got one of those for people want a characterless generic dining experience"

 

[durangodawood]

"We need to make it look more modern instead of Rustic and Country'ish"

Have you seen it? Its still plenty country ish. Youre acting like they made it Berlin modern or something.

"We're going to add these more "trendy" menu options"

Have you seen the menu? Its still dominated by the same kind of food as before. No avocado toast etc.

"We're going to scale down the gift shops and change up the product selection that's in them"

Yes I can see how people might be offended by the new rainbow flag thongs and vinyl record section. Rolleyes.

When the aesthetics and "clutter items" were part of the "vibe" itself, and was done in the name of "creating a welcoming and approachable space for a wider audience" -- one could reasonable interpret that to be some "coded language".


It should be noted, while it was nowhere near the scale of this backlash, there were some folks who weren't thrilled when Popeye's Chicken did a similar kind of rebrand (where they just made every thing sort of "vanilla" for the decor and style)


And it doesn't even have to be something as drastic as a full flown u-turn. Simply the removal of a specificity in favor of "neutral" can be perceived that way as well. We've seen that with several brands in the past few years.

When brands pulled back on some of stuff in favor of "let's just be more neutral so it's more approachable for a wider audience", there were some progressive groups who saw it as a "betrayal" of sorts (Target and Starbucks would be good examples of that)


It's understandable that people don't necessarily love the idea of when "my kind of place" gets morphed into "generic place for everyone"


As another example, let's say there was a restaurant chain that heavily focused on Latin Americana in terms of the style, decor, menu offerings, music... If a corporate re-brand took place that made it bland/neutral in the name of "this way it'll appeal to a wider audience and be more generic". The Latin American patrons would be understandable in raising the objection of "Wait a minute, this was our kind of place and our thing, and you're making it into a watered down version of TGI Fridays... they've already got one of those for people want a characterless generic dining experience"

All that has nothing to do with "woke". This is just a big corporation looking at the customer base aging up and asking how are we go to stay relevant. Some people dont like even a little change. But thats life. But making this out as a targeted assault on their cultural values is just hyperventilating nonsense.

 

[durangodawood]

You all should come to Pickle Tub and try our new coriander carrot pâté tower with basil foam.

 

[Pommer]

Wow, this thread is still going!?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Wow, this thread is still going!?

Two things are keeping this alive. Number one is the rage consuming those who long for the past. Number two are those who want to see the weekly specials at Pickle Tub.

 

[wing2000]

Two things are keeping this alive. Number one is the rage consuming those who long for the past. Number two are those who want to see the weekly specials at Pickle Tub.

...speaking from experience eh?

 

[RileyG]

I am just thankful that the original "old country store", Walmart, has never changed it's logo and never will. This woke nonsense needs to stop.

Wait, what? Isn’t Walmart responsible for shutting down so many ma and pop stores?

I’m getting off topic. Carry on.

 

[RileyG]

Imagine being so fragile that a mediocre restaurant changing its dated logo is enough to send you into a tailspin. Not the ghastly, dated, underseasoned, boil-bag food… The logo.

Eh? Some people don’t want to see change because the past makes them nostalgic?

The times are a changin’

 

[RileyG]

View attachment 369070

This picture says all that is needed to be said.

I doubt Mulvaney ever set foot in Cracker Barrel. It’s too manly for him

 

[RileyG]

People, just switch to Pickle Tub, where old white men were never cancelled.

Mmm, pickles! The Czech in me is tempted!

 

[Oompa Loompa]

I can’t sit through that much of Shapiro. 3 mins in and nothing about woke. Businesses rebrand, redecorate, update, change logos all the time. How is that woke (your word) is my question?

What you are saying is true, however the changes go completely against everything that makes Cracker Barrel different from any other restaurant. It completely destroys its identity. Even the family that founded the company are appalled.

 

[RileyG]

What you are saying is true, however the changes go completely against everything that makes Cracker Barrel different from any other restaurant. It completely destroys its identity. Even the family that founded the company are appalled.

This. I understand this completely.

On the other hand, change is inevitable.

If they lose business, it’s their own fault.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

This. I understand this completely.

On the other hand, change is inevitable.

If they lose business, it’s their own fault.

But if your brand sells nostalgia, modernization defeats the point.