Since Cracker Barrel decided to release the image data and attract a younger crowd with an updated menu filled with mimosas and trendy pancakes—he didn’t expect to incite a culture war on social media. But that’s exactly how.
The chain’s Facebook page is currently host to a heated discussion that takes place in the comment section after its latest post. And it’s all the more surprising that the simple addition of the shake table has all the chain backlash they’re facing right now. So what is this polarizing item that has so divided the chain’s customers? New plant-based breakfast meats.
The request question, which was published on Monday to promote the impossible sausage recently added to the lunch chain’s menu, has almost 6,000 comments and looks at 900 ounces.
The addition was designed to appeal to a number of vegans, vegetarians, and lean eaters — who are much more likely to belong to a younger age group. One in five 18- to 24-year-olds describe their diet as not containing any food. In contrast, 80% of the 65-and-up age group are meat eaters.
When Cracker Barrel’s social media team announced the addition on its Facebook page, many customers found the meat-eating option not in line with what they thought the company should be marketing.
“Are they related to me?” said one Facebook user. “Who do you think your base is? I still order the double-meal breakfast and it’s not even on the menu anymore.”
But for many, not really according to the flesh plant over the addition. It almost felt like the restaurant itself was changing and leaving.
“You can make it available for the folks who want fake food.” said quern commentator disappointed. “I’ve been a fan of the Cracker Cracker breakfast for years. If they demand fakes, I’ll go elsewhere.”
However, there was a plethora of positives and negatives. Most people were surprised at the negative comments and expressed gratitude for the chain’s inclusion of those who don’t eat meat.
“It’s weird getting snowballed here as an alternative food show on the menu,” said one commenter. “Y’all can still order regular food, you know this right? Some of the immune system needs to grow a spine right away.”
“Thank you, Cracker Barrel, for thinking of us who don’t eat meat,” said another. “I appreciate you, and I’ll arrange the impossible food when I eat breakfast there again.”
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While Cracker Barrel didn’t make the announcement in a Facebook post, the company sent a statement to Washington Post about the incidents.
“We recognize that our breakfast lovers are on our menus every day. At Cracker Barrel, we are always exploring opportunities to expand how our guests experience breakfast and provide choices to satisfy every taste bud—whether people want to stick to traditional favorites like bacon and sausage or are hungry for something new.” , a nutritious plant-based option like Impossible Sausage.”
Amber Lake
Amber Lake is a staff writer at Eat This, not That! and has a degree in journalism from UNF in Jacksonville, Florida. Read more
