Always sending someone home early leaving you short staffed. - Server Cracker Barrel Employee Review

3.0
Jan 15, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good training, offers full time employees benefits, not so hard to request days off or vacation time.

Cons

Must work average of 32 hr week to qualify for insurance and even if you've been there for years, they will send you home often resulting in loosing insurance. Locks up things like maple syrup, honey, chemicals, and you have to find manager to get needed items. Makes you carry clear plastic purses so they can make sure you are not taking steaks. Locks the door after closing, and then holds you hostage while they lock themselves in office to count drawers getting angry if you sit on clock until they allow you to leave. Gives you endless side work and daily cleaning responsibilities, but makes you clock out on time when you try to finish them all. And if they send you home early, your unfinished work gets left for remaining employee. If there is a party of 10 but 5 are kids or babies, you still have to split the table with another server. No matter what!

Explore other reviews about Cracker Barrel

5.0
Mar 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Enjoyed management and my coworkers

Cons

sometimes can be strict compared to other restuarants

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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