The Surprising Amount Of Money Cracker Barrel Makes From Its Gift Shop Bloomberg/Getty Images
By Laine Doss/March 6, 2021 1:27 pm EDT
For many travelers in the United States, Cracker Barrel is a welcome stop for food while on the road.
The restaurant chain was founded in 1969 by Dave Evins, who worked in the family s gasoline business. Evins wanted to open an eatery that would offer a good, hearty meal to people on the go, instead of the fast food restaurants he noticed popping up.
According to the Cracker Barrel website, the restaurant s country store was always an important component of the concept. Evins, who grew up in Tennessee, recalled going to country stores as a child, perusing the penny candies, gifts, and knick-knacks. He thought that people might just want to purchase souvenirs and snacks before hopping back in their cars and continuing their journey.