Cracker Barrel promises to \u201cattract, select, develop, and retain high-performing talent with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.\u201d Its 2024 ESG report<\/a> tracks workforce demographics by race and gender. These commitments have led to a more \u201cdiverse\u201d workforce from FY 2022 to FY 2024<\/a> across Cracker Barrel\u2019s professional staff, store-level management, and hourly staff.<\/p>\n Cracker Barrel also maintains Business Resource Groups (BRGs), which it says serve to \u201csupport the development of diverse team members<\/a>.\u201d However, certain BRGs appear to offer employment benefits that are only available based on an employees\u2019 race or sex. For example:<\/p>\n The Be Bold BRG aims to \u201ccultivate and develop Black Leaders within the Cracker Barrel organization.\u201d Even if any employee may technically join a BRG, certain associated benefits appear to be restricted to specific identity groups.<\/p>\n Cracker Barrel admits in its 2024 shareholder Proxy Statement<\/a> that pursuing \u201cdiversity\u201d means considering race and sex. Its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee \u201cconsiders, among other things . . . diversity of age, gender, race and ethnic background\u201d in evaluating potential candidates for the Company\u2019s Board of Directors.<\/p>\n Treating employees differently because of their race or sex is not only wrong, it is illegal and violates numerous federal and state civil rights laws. AFL will continue to fight back against unlawful discrimination in all its forms.<\/p>\n Statement from Will Scolinos, America First Legal Counsel:<\/p>\n \u201cAmericans are fed up with major American corporations serving up DEI as if it is entirely okay. Treating people differently because of the color of their skin or their sex is not only wrong, it is illegal. AFL has fought DEI since the Biden Administration spent four years celebrating and encouraging its wholesale implementation across the country. Now, companies are retreating from the term \u2018DEI\u2019 but retaining their discriminatory policies. Cracker Barrel and other American corporations must take discrimination by any name off the menu once and for all.\u201d<\/p>\n Statement from Nicholas Barry, America First Legal Senior Counsel:<\/p>\n \u201cCracker Barrel is almost as American as apple pie. Their store is full of classic Americana items, and it brands itself as a bastion of southern hospitality. If Cracker Barrel is discriminating against its employees and trying to hide it, it is failing to live up to its own brand and internal standards. The government should vigorously enforce its civil rights laws and ensure any such discrimination is rooted out and destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the federal EEOC complaint here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the state AG letter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the board letter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/signal-2025-07-21-165320-1024x791.png\")
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\nThe HOLA BRG \u201c[p]rovides opportunities to our Latino team members\u201d and \u201cpromote[s] Hispanic and Latino culture through hiring, developing, and retaining talent within Cracker Barrel.\u201d\u00a0
\nThe LGBTQ+ Alliance BRG \u201c[p]rovides a space for LGBTQ+ people to meet and support each other while increasing LGBTQ+ awareness at Cracker Barrel.\u201d\u00a0
\nThe Women\u2019s Connect BRG\u2019s mission is to \u201cinspire the women of Cracker Barrel by empowering, educating and engaging to achieve the strategic initiatives of Cracker Barrel.\u201d Cracker Barrel also describes that this BRG \u201c[h]elps women on our team find connections and grow their careers.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n