Something’s cooking over at Cracker Barrel—and it’s not biscuits and gravy. One of America’s favorite down-home restaurants is catching serious heat, and no, it’s not because the cornbread’s too dry. This time, it’s about woke politics seeping into the menu.
Cracker Barrel is now under fire after folks found out that one of their board members, Gilbert Davila, is a big-time diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocate. Yep, the same kind of DEI that’s been turning once-loved institutions into political minefields. Now it looks like Cracker Barrel, the place known for rocking chairs, hashbrown casserole, and old-school charm, is trying to serve up a side of progressive politics—and customers aren’t having it.
On Monday’s episode of “The Right Squad” on Newsmax, the panel tore into Cracker Barrel for what they called a “woke rebranding mission.” And they didn’t hold back. Host after host made it clear: this isn’t about making a better breakfast menu. This is about pushing identity politics right into your grits.
Now let’s talk about Gilbert Davila. He’s the guy leading this charge. Davila is known for promoting DEI in corporate America, and now he’s sitting on Cracker Barrel’s board. That’s right—the same board that helps make big decisions about the direction of the company. So what’s his goal here? According to critics, it’s not about making better food or improving service. It’s about changing what Cracker Barrel stands for.
Let’s be real. Cracker Barrel didn’t grow into a national success by being politically correct. It won over millions of loyal customers by offering Southern comfort, warm hospitality, and a place where people could feel like they were stepping back into a simpler time. Folks didn’t go there to get a lecture—they went there for meatloaf and sweet tea. But now, it seems like the leadership wants to change all that.
And people are noticing. Social media is lighting up with backlash. Longtime fans of the restaurant are saying they feel betrayed. Some are even calling for a boycott. “Keep politics off my plate,” one user wrote. Others are warning Cracker Barrel to wake up before it goes broke trying to be woke.
This isn’t the first time the restaurant has dipped its toe into the woke pool. Back in 2023, they got roasted online for promoting plant-based sausage and rainbow-themed posts during Pride Month. That move sparked a wave of criticism, with many saying the company was abandoning its base to chase applause from the left. Looks like history’s repeating itself.
Let’s break it down. DEI sounds nice on paper—who doesn’t want fairness and opportunity? But in practice, it often means hiring based on skin color, promoting ideology over merit, and dividing people instead of uniting them. That’s why so many Americans are fed up with it. They want real equality, not quotas. They want great service, not social justice slogans.
And that’s the heart of the issue. Cracker Barrel’s core customers aren’t asking for a cultural shift. They’re asking for chicken-fried steak that tastes like Grandma used to make. But instead of listening to their base, the company’s board seems more interested in pleasing corporate elites and activist circles.
The panel on “The Right Squad” made a strong point: when businesses go woke, they often go broke. Look at Bud Light. Look at Target. Companies that chase the left’s approval usually end up losing their loyal customers. Cracker Barrel should take that as a warning.
Bottom line—Cracker Barrel needs to decide what kind of brand it wants to be. Will it stick to its roots and serve the people who made it successful? Or will it keep pushing a political agenda and risk becoming the next cautionary tale?
For now, one thing’s clear: folks aren’t swallowing this DEI agenda as easily as a plate of biscuits and gravy. And if Cracker Barrel doesn’t wise up fast, they might find themselves with a lot more empty rocking chairs on those front porches.