STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A leaked internal memo revealed that Cracker Barrel is pushing for employees to dine at their establishment even when traveling.
“Employees are expected to dine at a Cracker Barrel store for all or the majority of meals while traveling, whenever practical based on location and schedule,” the memo reportedly said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Furthermore, employees were cautioned against expensing alcoholic drinks without expressed approval to do so, with “exceptions for special occasions” needing to “be pre-approved by an E-Team member.”
When PEOPLE reached out to Cracker Barrel for clarification on the policy, the franchise was quick to highlight that not every meal needed to be eaten at Cracker Barrel.
The company said to the outlet: “… it is not the only place that our employees may eat when on the road, as previously reported. The change was to further limit reimbursement of alcoholic beverages under the policy.”
“The policy for employees to dine at Cracker Barrel while traveling for business, whenever practical, based on location and schedule, is not new,” the company stated.
The policy went into effect in June 2024, with the memo coming “as a reminder” to employees.
This is the latest controversy to hit the chain, after outrage poured out nationwide at the franchise’s attempt to rebrand their iconic logo.
It additionally recently removed its Pride page and references to various employee resource groups, including those related to LGBTQ+ and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives in August 2025.