Cracker Barrel’s Viral Dining Rule: What It Is and Why It’s Making Headlines 
Cracker Barrel, the beloved American country-style restaurant chain, is at the center of a trending story after reports circulated about a “new dining rule” for its employees that quickly went viral online. The policy — which has sparked widespread discussion and social media attention — appears to be part of a larger effort by the company to tighten spending as it navigates slower sales and recent brand challenges.
What the Rule Says — and What Cracker Barrel Clarifies
According to a widely shared internal memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Cracker Barrel has encouraged employees who travel for business to eat “for all or the majority of meals” at Cracker Barrel restaurants when traveling, whenever it’s practical based on location and schedule. Additionally, the policy restricts reimbursement for alcoholic beverages during these trips unless special approval is granted.
However, the chain has pushed back on some interpretations of the reports. Cracker Barrel stated that the requirement isn’t actually a brand-new rule and that employees are not strictly prohibited from eating elsewhere while on business trips. The recent change primarily tightens expense reimbursement guidelines — especially around alcohol — rather than forcing dining choices.
Why the News Blew Up
The story quickly became a viral topic on social media, with many commentators reacting to the idea of employees being told where they must eat while traveling for work. Some critics saw it as emblematic of cost-cutting measures that affect worker perks and corporate culture. Others joked about the notion of eating Cracker Barrel food every day on the road.
Part of the attention stems from Cracker Barrel’s recent struggles. The company faced intense backlash in 2025 over a controversial rebrand — including a simplified logo and modernized restaurant designs — that it ultimately reversed after customer uproar. That episode was followed by slumping sales and efforts to rein in spending, which makes any internal cost-related policy especially newsworthy.
What Employees Actually Face
Under the clarified policy, employees are encouraged — but not strictly forced — to choose Cracker Barrel meals during travel when it makes practical sense. The language emphasizes location and schedule as determining factors, and the company says eating elsewhere is still possible. But in practical terms, the guidance signals a company culture shift toward frugality and expense control.
The policy has also tightened reimbursement rules so that alcohol purchases during business travel generally won’t be covered unless pre-approved by senior leadership. That change, rather than a mandate to only eat at Cracker Barrel, seems to be the update that actually affects employee expense reports.
Broader Context: Cost-Cutting in Corporate America
Cracker Barrel’s dining rule story highlights a broader trend in business travel known as “travel scrimping,” where companies reassess and limit perks that were once standard — from meals at restaurants of choice to reimbursable alcohol. With travel budgets tightening after pandemic recovery and economic pressure on many industries, employers are rethinking how travel expenses are managed.
For Cracker Barrel, the dining policy conversation comes at a critical moment as it works to win back customers, restore its brand, and adapt to changing market conditions. Whether this focus on employee dining will have a lasting impact on morale, costs, or public perception remains to be seen.
