For the first time in the cracker barrel company’s 1-year history, the addition of beer, wine and mimosa to its menu is going to zero.
The “Old Country Store” restaurant chain began investigating the concept just before the coronavirus epidemic began. After adding beer, wine and mimosa to the menu at more than 100 locations, the company is making the change permanent.
It helped that the overall response from customers was overwhelmingly positive and in most places decided to allow a person with no brainer to consent to a drink.
“Our guests have told us that offering beer and wine will reduce the veto vote – meaning guests who choose a cracker barrel for a given meal occasion, but will eventually move elsewhere because they prefer to have a beer or a glass of wine. Also – especially during weekend dinners, “a spokesman for Cracker Barrel told CNN via email.
According to the spokesperson, the company was encouraged by the results of the test program, which featured a limited assortment of beer and wine plus mimosas. The company now plans to add liquor sales to about 600 locations by the end of the fiscal year, the spokesman said.
The test stores are located in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee, Sandra Kochran, CEO of Cracker Barrel, told reporters earlier this week to discuss the company’s latest earnings report.
“We haven’t really started promoting it yet, but I’m encouraged by how strong it is, especially in Florida, where we’ve had it for the longest time,” Kochren said.
Alcohol sales were mostly targeting dinner crowds, but Kochran said mimosas are becoming “fairly popular” with breakfast and lunch.
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