Cracker Barrel faces backlash for sharing Pride post saying 'everyone is always welcome at our table' - as conservatives accuse restaurant chain of 'caving to the mob'

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The southern 'family style' country themed chain restaurant, Cracker Barrel, plagued by a history of controversial anti-LGBTQ+ policies, has shocked some of its customers with a post celebrating Pride month. 

The Tennessee-based company, with 700 restaurants across the country, wrote on its Facebook account Thursday that the chain is 'excited to celebrate Pride Month with our employees and guests,' adding that 'everyone is always welcome at our table. Happy Pride!' 

In the past, the company took a very different stance on LGBTQ issues. In the 1990s, it was notorious for adopting a policy that forbid anyone who identified as homosexual from working there after firing nine gay employees in 1991. 

While as recently as 2013, the company caved to pressure from conservatives when it initially stopped selling Duck Dynasty merchandise from its restaurants after one of the show's stars, Phil Robertson, made homophobic remarks in a GQ interview, only to reverse the policy shortly afterwards telling customers 'we listened' in an open letter.

The chain's attitudes have radically changed recently. In 2019, an outlet banned a Grayson Fitts, Tennessee police officer and pastor from holding an event at their restaurant after he called for gay people to be executed. 

Since 2018, the company has been putting out social media messages that celebrate Pride month.  

The Tennessee-based company, with 700 restaurants across the country, has a history of anti-LGBTQ+ controversies but has been celebrating Pride since 2018

The southern 'family style' country-themed chain restaurant, Cracker Barrel, has received backlash from conservatives after sharing a Facebook post celebrating pride month on Thursday, featuring a customized 'rainbow rocker' 

The Pride post has been circulating social media, causing outrage among conservatives, with at least one claiming the once 'family friendly' establishment has 'caved to the mob,' while others fired back and celebrated the company's stance - mocking those offended by it.

Some said they are next on the list of companies to 'go woke, go broke.'

A supporter of the Pride post wrote on Twitter: 'Wonderful news! I’ve avoided Cracker Barrel for as long as I can remember, not knowing if my family was truly welcome. We’ll be sure to stop by our local location soon!'

'Love that. I’ve always loved Cracker Barrel. Love them even more now. It’s a small gesture, but you know what? It’s those small gestures of kindness that matter the most. Responding to only positive posts by users, Cracker Barrel has thanked people for their support,' another said . 

The Texas Family Project, an organization building 'a political Calvary of pro-family forces,' tweeted: 'We take no pleasure in reporting that @CrackerBarrel has fallen. A once family friendly establishment has caved to the mob.' 

The Texas Family Project tweeted: 'We take no pleasure in reporting that @CrackerBarrel has fallen. A once family friendly establishment has caved to the mob'

Another disappointed customer said: 'LMAO hold up…so Pat Robertson dies, Trump gets indicted and Cracker Barrel goes 'woke'….The MAGAs must be losing their shit right now' 

Many were calling for Cracker Barrel to be added to the list of brands to boycott for promoting inclusivity:

'It is with deep sadness that I am posting this because I have always loved Cracker Barrel. However, I Love My Country and My God More!! Go Woke, Go Broke!!' 

Conservatives echoed this sentiment online:

'Cracker Barrel has no idea who their costumer base is. They've gone crackers, that's for sure! What is the government up to that's making all these companies give the middle finger to their costumers? CB this Bud's for you. Go woke go broke!' 

Others were pleasantly surprised: 'Quite SHOCKED that @CrackerBarrel, which is based out of Lebanon, TN (about 30 minutes west of me), just shared this!' 

Conservatives also received a solid share of mockery on Twitter from users making light of their strong reaction:  

'LMAO hold up…so Pat Robertson dies, Trump gets indicted and Cracker Barrel goes 'woke'….The MAGAs must be losing their s**t right now.'

But this isn't Cracker Barrel's first year celebrating Pride - the company started in 2018 when it introduced their 'limited-edition Rainbow Pride Rocker,' and has been celebrating the LGBTQ+ community every year since. 

The company developed the rainbow painted rocking chairs as a show of support and commitment to the gay community.  Since then, they have donated them to various LGBTQ+ organizations to help with fundraising efforts, according to their website. 

This is the same restaurant that caused controversy back in 1991 after firing nine gay employees and then pledging to only hire heterosexual staff from that point forward. That policy was rescinded the following year.    

Coming a long way from its previous intolerant company stance, Cracker Barrel announced its 'zero-discrimination' policy in 2019 after it was met with controversy once again, this time, over an anti-LGBT+ pastor planning to hold an event in one of their stores in 2019. 

Cracker Barrel CEO Sandra Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since September 2011 and leader of the chain's racial and LGTQ+ inclusivity, has been an integral part of the cultural shift at the company. 

Cracker Barrel eventually said it wouldn't host the event by the Tennessee church whose pastor was a detective who preached that the government should execute gay people.

On its websites 'Diversity and Inclusion' page, Crack Barrel takes pride in the steps they have taken to show support for minority groups.

'Cracker Barrel has zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment,' it writes.

'This was made clear when it quickly condemned and turned away an anti-LGBTQ+ pastor when he announced plans in 2019 for his church group to meet at a Knoxville area Cracker Barrel. We issued a statement disagreeing strongly with the pastor's statements of hate and divisiveness, and he was not permitted on-site.'

Cracker Barrel started celebrating pride back in 2018 when it introduced their 'limited-edition Rainbow Pride Rocker,' and has been celebrating the LGBTQ+ community every year since

On its websites 'Diversity and Inclusion' page, Crack Barrel takes pride in the steps they have taken to show support for minority groups 

Sandra B. Cochran, CEO of Cracker Barrel and leaders of the chain's racial and LGBTQ inclusivity has strongly supported the chain's deep cultural shift 

The chain also brags that it was honored by the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce with the Corporate Diversity Award in 2018. The award was in recognition of the progress and growth that has been made in the area of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion in recent years. 

They also highlight their pride in having Cracker Barrel LGBTQ+ Alliance BRG be named Employee Resource Group of the Year in 2018 by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates.

Cracker Barrel restaurant-gift shops are spread throughout the countryside, mainly inviting travelers along interstate highways in the south. The restaurants feature a solid lineup of southern-style comfort foods, including bacon, eggs, pancakes, burgers and fried chicken.