If you love Cracker Barrel, we have some unhappy news: The beloved restaurant chain will close several locations in 2024.
There are more than 660 Cracker Barrel locations in 44 states, but a handful of restaurants are closing for good.
While this might help you stretch your restaurant budget , it can be a sad day when you learn that one of your favorite Cracker Barrel locations is disappearing. Here are the four stores closing in 2024.
Don't miss: 8 clever ways to save money so you can still afford to eat out
1. Sacramento, California
The Sacramento Cracker Barrel recently closed its doors.
A sign at the closed restaurant read, “We are deeply saddened to announce this location has closed.” The note directed customers to try another location in nearby Rocklin.
Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially
2. Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria is known for its Santa Maria-style barbecue, so residents still have some delicious options even though this Cracker Barrel has closed.
Cracker Barrel’s closings in Sacramento and Santa Maria leave five locations in California, including restaurants in Rocklin, Camarillo, Rialto, Bakersfield, and Victorville.
3. Medford, Oregon
Medford had the last remaining Cracker Barrel in Oregon before the restaurant closed its doors in April.
Last year, the state lost three other locations in Beaverton, Bend, and Tualatin. News reports suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on these locations and they were unable to recover.
Enjoying our content? Click the Follow button above to see more from us.
4. Columbia, South Carolina
The Columbia location on Forum Drive closed in April, with a recorded voice message directing customers to visit other Cracker Barrel locations instead.
The state still has 23 cities where customers can enjoy chicken fried steak and biscuits and gravy, including two other locations in Columbia.
What customers had to say
Responses from customers varied when they discovered their local restaurants were shutting down.
Reddit member Bmorgam1983 said the Sacramento restaurant was in a terrible location and “needed to be more near the freeway for travelers.”
Of the Medford closing, Reddit member WolverineRelevant280 said, “I’ve been to a lot of Cracker Barrels and ours is the worst one. Not surprised.”
In Beaverton, a customer named James made the following comment to local news station KGW while standing outside the closed Cracker Barrel: "I didn't know if the Yankees could support good Southern cooking, and apparently not!"
Cracker Barrel’s struggles
Cracker Barrel has struggled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some market watchers have noted that the restaurant appeals to older diners on fixed incomes and that many of these folks have struggled with rising inflation.
The company has also been transitioning to a new CEO after it hired a former Taco Bell executive — Julie Felss Masino — to take over the top spot.
In more upbeat news, the restaurant chain recently made headlines when a location in Tennessee sold off some of its antiques to make way for new decor. The sale was a smashing success, with between 600 and 700 items finding new homes with Cracker Barrel fans.
Food Deals: 15 restaurant apps that give you food absolutely free
Bottom line
Cracker Barrel is making some changes, including closing some locations. But other changes are more positive and might even help you to get ahead financially .
For example, in 2023, the restaurant chain introduced Cracker Barrel Rewards for loyal customers. It helps you earn “pegs” that you can use toward rewards. You also get a reward on your birthday.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
Local News
