madness!!! - Associate Manager Cracker Barrel Employee Review

1.0
Apr 3, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good pay...that's really all I can think of for pros...but they are going to milk you for all you're worth!

Cons

70 hours a week always, must be involved every day in operations even on days off, so you never really get a day off to relax, except on your vacation...extreme hours because of early breakfast, and late dinner shifts...throws your system off completely, never feel fresh or sharp or rested. they have a digital voice-mail system that is used for communication, and you must listen twice daily, otherwise they will make you feel like an idiot if you miss something. overly structured and micromanaged systems, so majority of time spent doing paperwork and admin... people in the company are very robotic, not like real human beings, more like r2d2. EXTREMELY corporate...they do not give a crap about you or your family or anything about you...only about their precious bottom line! VERY dis-respectful...most managers are under extreme stress, so they end up treating other employees/managers badly, cursing, yelling, no tact or professionalism, etc... terrible insurance benefits, way too expensive for what you get, terrible discounts for management...35% off. only 1 meal allowed per shift as a manager, but most shifts end-up being 12-14 hours... NOT focused on true guest service, more on turning tables to increase sales, so many guests are rushed out. There are many more, but those are the main ones

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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