Is Cracker Barrel a good company to work for?

Cracker Barrel has an overall rating of 3.2 out of 5, based on over 8,571 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 1% over the last 12 months. 49% of employees would recommend working at Cracker Barrel to a friend and 36% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Cracker Barrel have been left by employees working as District Manager , Togo Specialist and Retail Shift Leader .

Does Cracker Barrel pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Cracker Barrel employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.9 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Cracker Barrel. This rating has decreased by 4% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Cracker Barrel?

49% of Cracker Barrel employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Cracker Barrel 3.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.1 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Cracker Barrel?

Server (1697) , Server/Waiter (686) , Retail Sales Associate (502) , Hostess (409) , Associate Manager (227) , Dishwasher (209) , Host (176) , Server/Waitress (156) , Cashier (152) , General Manager (139) , Grill Cook (131) , Waitress (127) , Host/Hostess (121) , Manager (105) , Line Cook (98)

What are the pros of working at Cracker Barrel according to real employee reviews?

"Good pay and very fun" ((in 439 reviews)); "The people I worked with were great I could make decent money just working the weekends Discount to the store" ((in 433 reviews)); "Flexible with hours to a certain extent; good money if you put in the work" ((in 409 reviews)); "Honestly the only good thing I experienced were some great coworkers till they decided not to be anymore." ((in 405 reviews)); "Flexible schedule as long as you work every Sunday and either Saturday or Friday each weekend." ((in 224 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Cracker Barrel according to real employee reviews?

"Management is poor and very dishonest" ((in 813 reviews)); "Managers are rude and over" ((in 464 reviews)); "Long hours and so many other employees don't care if they set other people up for failure." ((in 304 reviews)); "No breaks and must work long shift on holidays" ((in 81 reviews)); "Way too much favoritism that rises right to the top of District and Regional Management." ((in 69 reviews))

What are employees saying about Cracker Barrel layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Cracker Barrel layoffs and their outlook for job security at Cracker Barrel in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Cracker Barrel locations?

Lebanon , Nashville , San Antonio , Knoxville , Tampa , Orlando , Jacksonville , Louisville , Houston , Atlanta , Indianapolis , Chattanooga , Chesapeake , Saint Louis , Cincinnati , Columbia , Greensboro , Huntsville , Lexington-Fayette , Boone , Murfreesboro , San Marcos , Denton , Memphis , Richmond , Charlotte , Tallahassee , Virginia Beach , Birmingham , Las Vegas

Cracker Barrel reviews

3.2

49% would recommend to a friend

(8,445 total reviews)

Julie Masino

32% approve of CEO

36% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (8,445 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Cracker Barrel has an employee rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars, based on 8,445 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Cracker Barrel employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Restaurants & Food Service industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

8K reviews

1.0

Dec 2, 2017

Listen to your Employees

Associate manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

You meet a lot of great guest and employees. The business aspect is truly unique to the brand, there’s nothing like it.!

Cons

There is no work life balance as promised. Example - Closings shift then open shift. Working 10+ days in row. Expected to come in on your days off to meet labor. The labor allotted to run the business isn’t efficient which forces managers into position and forces employees to be called out which results in turnover since the hourly employees cannot get the hours they need. Also the Guest experience is at risk by running such a low labor. Scare tactic from upper management and extremely Negative environment.

Cracker Barrel Response

8y

Thanks for leaving a review. We apologize that you had issues with scheduling. We're committed to providing a healthy work-life balance as we understand employees have lives outside of work. Your hard work did not go unnoticed; and even though you're no longer with the company, we wish you the best. Thanks for the feedback.

4.0

Nov 28, 2017

Server

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

As a Cracker Barrel employee you are set up on a par system. It's great because you have to steadily earn your way up the ladder but it's one month to your first par, three to the second, and so on. Each par gets you raises, more vacation, or deeper discounts as well as increases on bonuses. As long as you work your way up the ladder and maintain that same performance, you are golden!

Cons

You will, and I mean WILL, work every single major holiday. You will work nonstop the week of Thanksgiving, for example, and requests for time off for any time in that week are thrown out with very few exceptions. If you want to work and show the initiative to earn your hours by doing your job well, they will give you as many hours as you want. However, the flip side is that most people bite off more than they can chew for too long and they end up burned out.

Cracker Barrel Response

8y

Thanks for sharing your experience. We agree! Employees should be rewarded for working hard and we're committed to making sure they're recognized.

4.0

Oct 23, 2017

LOVED this job. If you love always being busy, love people & love this atmosphere then this is your dream job.

Retail manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Salary & benefits; fun and exciting atmosphere; working alongside the restaurant is a plus. Lots of unusual products & display methods.

Cons

It could be Crazy busy during meal times & holidays. High expectations w/ not enough labor hours. Not enough space for high numbers of customers during peak hours.

Cracker Barrel Response

8y

Thanks for the feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the unique environment that we offer our retail employees, by having the restaurant to drive guest traffic.

Viewing 76 - 78 of 8,445 Reviews

Jobs at Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Listen to your Employees

Server

LOVED this job. If you love always being busy, love people & love this atmosphere then this is your dream job.

Jobs at Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel reviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

Company ratings over time

Cracker Barrel reviews FAQs

Jobs at Cracker Barrel