Story
Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino to Step Down; David Deno Named Successor
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store announced on Monday that President and CEO Julie Masino will step down from her role, effective August 10. The restaurant chain has appointed industry veteran David Deno to take over as its new chief executive.
Leadership Transition Details
According to the company's statement, Ms. Masino, who held the CEO position for approximately three years, will remain with Cracker Barrel in an advisory capacity until October 9 to ensure a smooth transition.
Her successor, David Deno, most recently served as the CEO of Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of restaurant chains including Outback Steakhouse. His resume also includes senior leadership positions at electronics retailer Best Buy and Yum Brands, the operator of KFC and Taco Bell.
Context of the Change
The leadership change follows a turbulent period for the brand. In August 2025, Cracker Barrel faced a significant public backlash after announcing a plan to modernize its logo and store layouts. The proposed changes included replacing its decades-old "Uncle Herschel" signage, a move that drew sharp criticism from conservative customers.
AdIn response to the controversy, the company reversed its decision, abandoning the new logo and the plan for a more modern store layout. In September 2025, Cracker Barrel acknowledged that the backlash had negatively impacted store traffic and issued an annual revenue forecast that fell below analyst estimates.
Financial Performance and Market Reaction
The company's stock performance has reflected this volatility. After falling nearly 52% in 2025, Cracker Barrel's shares have doubled in value so far in 2026. Following Monday's announcement, the stock was trading down approximately 4%.
More recently, the company reported positive operational news. Last week, Cracker Barrel announced it had divested part of its Maple Street Biscuit business and stated it expects to exceed its core profit outlook for the 2026 fiscal year.
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