Great company values but not very caring middle management - Associate Manager Cracker Barrel Employee Review

4.0
Nov 7, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great ideas and company values. Company places lots of respect on employees.

Cons

Middle management like District Managers and General Managers not very caring. Benefits not very good, as fast food offers more. Cracker Barrel becomes your life, and you are suppose to put work before family. DM's continually says be thankful you have a job, as they really don't care about much but the fact they employ you so you should be thankful for that.

Explore other reviews about Cracker Barrel

5.0
Apr 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very positive work environment! Lots of room for growth

Cons

Short shifts and it can be hard to get more hours

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Cracker Barrel Response
2mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We appreciate your input and are happy to hear you enjoyed your time at Cracker Barrel!
2.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most coworkers were genuinely great to work with and made shifts more enjoyable. * The guest interaction and serving aspect of the job is something I personally enjoy. * Some shifts could be positive depending on staffing and team on duty.

Cons

*Management was often unprofessional with inconsistent communication and expectations. * Certain coworker behavior occasionally affected morale and created a less positive work environment. * There was a noticeable blame culture where issues were not handled in a constructive way. * In my experience, bringing up workplace concerns or uncomfortable situations did not always feel welcomed or supported, and it sometimes felt like speaking up led to negative attention. * Scheduling and hours were inconsistent, making it hard to rely on stable income. * Inconsistent scheduling sometimes resulted in difficult shift patterns, including working split doubles (such as 9–3 followed by a 4–close shift), which often meant not getting out until around 10:30 PM and then repeating the pattern on consecutive days. * Training was limited, and expectations were often unclear, which made the job more stressful than it needed to be. * In my experience, HR concerns or formal complaints did not feel like they were taken seriously or addressed in a meaningful way.

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