Horrible Management, no organization, very little concern for employees. - PAR III Server Cracker Barrel Employee Review

1.0
Oct 6, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexable schedule, lenient about reprimands

Cons

As a server, you work your shift and try to roll up to 200 sets of silverware PLUS finish your sidework AND take care of your tables AND run everyone else's food out. You are expected to be done with everything and ready to clock out by 30 minutes after your scheduled shift ends (even if the hostess seats you four more tables right before your replacement comes in). Then you have to chase around the server in charge of checking your sidework (they are still on the floor taking tables so you have to bother them and beg them to sign you out). If it is over 30 minutes after your scheduled clock out time, you HAVE to get a manager to clock you out... (they will all be busy trying to help out the understaffed kitchen or dishwashers, in the office with the door locked, signing invoice sheets, or sitting in the dining room eating). God forbid a manager upset another manager; this equals absolute asinine and childish arguing in front of customers and/or employees. The expo who works the line on weekends will simply scream and yell "RUNNER" over and freakin over again even though the only people who run food are servers who are expected to serve customers within a very specific amount of time. Its ridiculous. Did I forget anything.... OH YEAH- one of my favorites- After your hellish day is finally over and you have been signed out by management, silverware checker, and sidework checker and you have finally CLOCKED OUT....... then you get to stand in line in the "old Country Store" in the front of the restaurant and wait in line for your hard earned money. Get this though: every single time a customer walks up to the line, you lose your spot. That's right, customers go ahead of you no matter how long you have been waiting, what time you have to pick up your children from school, when you were supposed to be done with your shift, or how many customers insist you go ahead of them. The cashier will not give you your tips before a customer even if the customers get upset about it. It's humiliating, disrespectful, demeaning, and unlawful. This place is the reason I chose to leave the restaurant industry after over 20 years of experience. Cracker Barrel scarred me for life.

Explore other reviews about Cracker Barrel

5.0
Feb 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Caring and extremely high energy servers, cooks and hostess. The management handles everything at the restaurant with integrity and competence. They know and love their guests. They even know what they order and their other preferences.

Cons

The cuts in hours they are forced to make due to corporate interference.

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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