Cracker Barrel revealed that it scrapped its controversial new logo after a phone call with the White House — and its executives thanked President Trump for “weighing in” on the controversy, according to a West Wing staffer.
Taylor Budowich, deputy White House chief of staff, said late Tuesday that he received a call from the restaurant chain thanking the president for airing his opinions on the debate over its “original” logo — in which he advised the chain to go back to its old one.
“I appreciated the call earlier this evening with @CrackerBarrel,” he wrote on X. “They thanked President Trump for weighing in on the issue of their iconic ‘original’ logo.”
Budowich added that the restaurant chain “wanted the President to know that they heard him, along with customer response (the ultimate poll), and would be restoring the ‘Old Timer’.”
“So smart! Congrats Cracker Barrel and America!”
The Post has sought comment from the White House and Cracker Barrel.
Earlier Tuesday, Cracker Barrel confirmed on its social media account that the rebrand was being scrapped.
“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said. “Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.”
The reversal comes after Cracker Barrel unveiled a modernized design that ditched its iconic “Uncle Herschel” leaning against a barrel, replacing it with more generic-looking, minimalist typography.
Loyal patrons erupted over the change, accusing the company of abandoning its heritage.
The logo fight quickly turned political. Trump blasted the redesign, while rivals like Steak ’n Shake mocked Cracker Barrel with MAGA-style hats calling for CEO Julie Felss Masino’s firing.
Cracker Barrel’s stock lost $143 million in market value earlier this week as the controversy deepened. The company’s decision to return to its original branding is now being cast as a victory for both its customers and Trump.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
