The new Cracker Barrel logo already appears on menus and paper wraps for cutlery on Aug. 22, 2025, in Fishers, Indiana.

Cracker Barrel announced Aug. 26 that it is dropping its much-criticized new logo and returning to the "Old Timer."

"We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have," the company wrote in a statement provided to USA TODAY. "Our new logo is going away and our 'Old Timer' will remain."

The nationwide restaurant chain and country store, which is known for its comfort food and nostalgic atmosphere, unveiled a new, simplified logo with the launch of a fall menu campaign on Aug. 19.

The "enhanced brand look" was intended to modernize the company's brand, executives said. The intent includes moving its restaurants away from nostalgia-rich decor to something more contemporary and less cluttered.

The change drew sharp criticism from customers and politicians, with both President Donald Trump and the Democratic Party decrying the change.

"All of your fans very much appreciate it," Trump said in a post on Truth Social following the announcement. "Make lots of money and, most importantly, make your customers happy again!"

USA TODAY followed up with Cracker Barrel asking if the Trump's comments had influenced its decision and did not recieve an immediate response.

The company issued a response on its website on Aug. 25 after unveiling a simplified logo days earlier that left some customers unhappy with changes at the restaurant.

"If the last few days have shown us anything, it's how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We're truly grateful for your heartfelt voices," the company said. "You've also shown us that we could've done a better job sharing who we are and who we'll always be."

Announcement draws praise after rebrand incited criticism

The reversion to the "Old Timer" drew praise in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.

"Kudos to their team for making a great decision and may many happy memories and delicious meals continue for the next generation," Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, said in a post on X.

Brantley McDonald of North Carolina wrote on the company's Instagram announcement post that, "WE ARE SO BACK."

Brandon Weems of Tennessee, pithily wrote on the announcement post, "bullying works."

The Tennessee-based comfort food chain took a financial hit following the logo announcement, with the stock dropping 7% at the close of trading Aug. 21. The company's stock is up over 9.5% in after-hours trading as of just after 8 p.m. ET Aug. 26, according to Yahoo Finance.

The now scrapped logo was part of a larger aesthetic adjustment for the company that has been equally panned.

“Cracker Barrel always stood out for its uniqueness, but now it’s nothing more than a Denny’s with a gift shop,” Destiny Alexander told the Victorville Daily Press – a part of the USA TODAY Network.

This story has been updated

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cracker Barrel to return to 'Old Timer' logo after Trump, customer backlash

Reporting by James Powel, Melina Khan and Rene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect