The American restaurant chain Cracker Barrel, famed for its Southern comfort food and old-country aesthetic, has found itself in a political firestorm. The announcement of a new menu has ignited a furious backlash from conservative customers and prominent supporters of former President Donald Trump, leading to widespread calls for a boycott.
The controversy erupted not from a political statement, but from the company's simple promotional tagline: "Cracker Barrel is for everyone". For many on the right, this phrase was interpreted as a foray into progressive politics, a move they decry as "going woke".
The Epicentre of the Outrage
The backlash was heavily coordinated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with influential conservative accounts amplifying the anger. Former Trump administration official Laura Loomer posted a viral call to action, urging her followers to boycott the chain for what she perceived as an abandonment of its traditional customer base.
This sentiment was echoed across the platform, with users accusing Cracker Barrel of betraying its roots and embracing a liberal agenda. The phrase "Go woke, go broke" became a common refrain in thousands of posts targeting the restaurant.
What's Actually on the New Menu?
Ironically, the new menu items at the heart of the scandal are far from revolutionary. The additions include:
- Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
- New Bacon & Egg Breakfast Bowls
- A Southern Fried Pork Chop platter
- Updated recipes for existing sides
Despite the traditional nature of the food, the perception of a shift in company ideology was enough to fuel the uprising. Cracker Barrel has remained silent on the criticism, sticking to its strategy of promoting the new culinary offerings without engaging directly with the political maelstrom.
The incident highlights the intensely polarized climate in the US, where even a menu launch can become a fierce cultural battleground.
