If you’re a fans of traditional comfort food in the U.S. you’re probably familiarized with Maple Street Biscuit, Cracker Barrel and its country store, hearty Southern breakfast, and rocking chairs. However, the restaurant chain is starting over. But what does this mean? The business announced that 14 Maple Street Biscuit Company locations, its sister brand, would close in 2026. The decision comes after a difficult time when the Cracker Barrel logo underwent a failed redesign that drew harsh criticism and ended up by forcing the company to return to its iconic 1977 appearance.
Additionally, Maple Street‘s poorer performance ended in a $16.2 million impairment charge, indicating that recent corporate acquisitions haven’t gone as planned.
Now, Cracker Barrel is in a position where they have to make tough decisions about what’s working and what’s not, and of course protecting its main business, which is its own restaurants. Even if it means reevaluating how Maple Street fits into the bigger plan or taking a step back from plans for expansion. First, the company’s goal is to stabilize the well-known and beloved brand.
What exactly is closing
Cracker Barrel has already announced it will close 14 Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurants in 2026. That has been cleared up, and totally confirmed by the company. These closures are specific adjustments to Maple Street, and although the brand is owned by Cracker Barrel, this doesn’t imply that Cracker Barrel is closing its doors.
Other than those 14 locations given, the company has not shared more plans to close any other restaurants.
Why the strategy is changing now
The objective is relatively simple when expanding a restaurant chain through corporate acquisitions: include brands that boost the main line of business. Sometimes it’s effective, and other times demands reconsideration. Given its breakfast appeal and fast-casual comfort food, Maple Street seemed like a strategic fit. Results, however, are important. After performance crashed below of expectations, Cracker Barrel decided to simplify, cut expenses, and fortify the core.
However, this comes after a tough year, when the company decided to change and update their logo (the Cracker Barrel logo). Loyal customers were not happy at all and strongly showed their desaproval, so the company eventually went back to its 1977 design.
Reverting to the 1977 style proved that the business had actually listened to its customers. And brand trust is always an excellent benefit, especially for a traditional business.
For Cracker Barrel, being more cautious about where and how to expand it’s very important, alla of this can happen, but while preserving the elements that draw people in, which in their case is the famous Southern breakfast, the welcoming staff, and their flavors.
Financially speaking, the Maple Street impairment charge of $16.2 million is another reason to tighten the plan. That figure is a screaming “yellow light.” And, maybe it won’t ruin a brand this big, but it tells executives that before growing, any upcoming projects, like store makeovers or the opening of new restaurants, they need to demonstrate more definite indications of profitability.
By closing stores now, the company a certain flexibility to change direction without sacrificing its long-term goals thanks to the announcement of a limited closure plan for Maple Street locations in 2026.
What it means for diners and the brand
Customers should be able to relate to Cracker Barrel’s daily routine. And to preserve that (and the brand’s overall health) the company is reducing locations.
If you’re a fan of Maple Street, find out which locations will be impacted as 2026. They’re closing a lot of them yes, but not all. And for Cracker Barrel, well, they will continue giving customers the experience they already enjoy; the country-style meals, the in-store experience, and everything that’s associated with the iconic 1977 logo.