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Cracker Barrel anti-woke critics slammed as unintelligent by Boston Globe food critic
A Boston Globe food critic defended Cracker Barrels controversial rebrand in a new piece, mocking detractors as having "biscuits for brains.""It would be nice if every single small thing did not now have to become a pawn in a ginned-up culture war," Devra First wrote Tuesday. "However, the Tennessee-based restaurant chain Cracker Barrel has rebranded, and according to some people with biscuits for brains, its new logo is woke. There is so much to be outraged about. This isnt it."Cracker Barrel has faced backlash since unveiling a text-only logo on Aug. 18 that removed its longtime "Uncle Herschel" character. The chain has also come under fire for remodeling its restaurants, swapping its nostalgic country-kitsch decor for a brighter, contemporary look.At the same time, the companys diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have drawn criticism from conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has targeted similar policies at other major brands.CRACKER BARREL DISMISSES CRITICS AS 'VOCAL MINORITY' WHILE RIVAL RESTAURANT ADDS TO BACKLASH"This was a refresh for a restaurant founded in 1969," First scoffed. "People reacted as if a historic landmark were being defaced."She noted that the rebrand was aimed at attracting new customers, after CEO Julie Felss Masino said last year the company needed to stay "relevant."First also pushed back on Starbucks claim that the redesign is part of a broader effort to abandon Cracker Barrels traditional customer base. The company previously faced some right-wing criticism for celebrating Pride Month by painting its iconic rocking chairs in rainbow colors."It was very much about a logo, until the involvement of those who would define American pride so narrowly," First argued. She recalled a recent lunch at Cracker Barrel where she saw a diverse mix of customers across ages, races, and backgrounds.CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST SLAMS CRACKER BARREL; COMPANY LEFT REELING AFTER LOGO REDESIGN"Lunch at Cracker Barrel showed me why they care," she wrote about the company's critics."We were all equally welcome. It doesnt matter whats on the sign. Theres a seat for everyone at the table, and thats not going to change."Starbuck fired back, telling Fox News Digital, "The fact that some braindead legacy media puppets still want to pretend this is just about a logo is hilarious."DAVID MARCUS: CRACKER BARREL ABANDONS CUSTOMERS, TRADING AUTHENTICITY FOR CORPORATE SLOP"People now understand this goes much deeper with Cracker Barrel funding all-ages Pride events and doing woke pronoun training at their corporate office. We wont fund values that are contrary to our deepest held beliefs. Since they didnt learn from Bud Light, we intend to teach Cracker Barrel a lesson about who their customers are."Cracker Barrel has stood by its recent moves, noting that 87% of respondents in company research either loved or liked the new logo."Our values havent changed, and the heart and soul of Cracker Barrel havent changed," a spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital."And Uncle Herschel remains front and center in our restaurants and on our menu. He is the face of The Herschel Way, the foundation of how our 70,000-plus employees provide the country hospitality for which we are known," the spokesperson added.Fox News David Spector contributed to this report.
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