The chain's early locations were positioned near Interstate Highway exits in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, but expanded across the country during the 1990s and 2000s.

Cracker Barrel's menu is based on traditional Southern cuisine, with appearance and decor designed to resemble an old-fashioned general store.

Each location features a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs, a stone fireplace, and decorative artifacts from the local area.

Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins, a representative for Shell Oil, who developed the restaurant and gift store concept initially as a plan to improve gasoline sales.

[6] Following the initial public offering, Cracker Barrel grew at a rate of around 20 percent per year;[10] by 1987, the company had become a chain of more than 50 units in eight states, with annual net sales of almost $81 million.

][12] In addition, it expanded into new markets through the establishment of more traditional Cracker Barrel locations, the majority of them outside the South, and tested alterations to its menus to adapt to new regions.

[13] The chain added regional dishes to its menus, including eggs and salsa in Texas and Reuben sandwiches in New York, but continued to offer its original menu items in all restaurants.

In 2000 and 2001, the company addressed staffing and infrastructure issues related to this rapid growth by implementing a more rigorous recruitment strategy and introducing new technology, including an order-placement system.

[19] It updated its marketing in 2006 to encourage new customers, changing the design of its highway billboard advertisements to include images of menu items.

The company began testing a limited selection of beer, wine and mimosas at 100 stores in early 2020 before announcing that it would expand the offerings to over 600 of its locations after receiving a positive response from its customers.

[32] Cracker Barrel served the following as a Thanksgiving dinner in 2024,"..roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing and gravy, country green beans, sweet potato casserole with pecans, and cranberry relish.

All of this will also come with a choice of buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins, a refillable beverage, and a slice of pumpkin pie.." as well as kids and premium versions.

[39] Each location's exterior features a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs, while the interiors all include five common decorations: a shotgun, a cookstove, a deer head, a telephone, and a traffic light.

[72] Cracker Barrel has supported a wide range of charities through one-off donations, promotional events, and partnerships with charitable organizations.

[73] The chain has supported charities and causes in communities where its restaurants are located, including the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005[74] and Nashville after severe flooding in 2010.

[75] Cracker Barrel has also formed a partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity for injured veterans,[76] as well as the nonprofit Operation Homefront to support programs for military families.

[6][13] After demonstrations by gay rights groups, the company ended its policy in March 1991 and stated it would not discriminate based on sexual orientation.

[6] From 1992 onward,[87] the New York City Employees Retirement System, then a major shareholder, put forward proposals to add sexual orientation to the company's non-discrimination policy.

[85] Between 2008 and 2021, Cracker Barrel raised its rating in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index from 15 to 80 by adding sexual orientation non-discrimination policies and training programs.

Cracker Barrel claimed Biglari had a "hidden agenda" and a conflict of interest by holding shares in other restaurant chains such as Steak 'n Shake.

Regarding both accusations, Cracker Barrel officials disputed the claims and stated that the company was committed to fair treatment of its employees and customers.

[101] The U.S. Justice Department filed a suit against Cracker Barrel in May 2004, after its own investigation had found evidence that the company allegedly violated Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against minority customers at its restaurants.

The company settled the lawsuit by signing a five-year agreement to introduce "effective nondiscrimination policies and procedures",[102] and hiring an outside auditor to ensure compliance with the terms of the settlement.

[103] In November 2012, Cracker Barrel licensed its name to Smithfield Foods' John Morrell Division to sell a line of meat products through retail channels.

In response, Kraft Foods, which has sold a line of cheese under the Cracker Barrel brand since 1954, filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit in February 2013.

The injunction was upheld by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and Cracker Barrel agreed to sell its products under the brand name "CB Old Country Store".