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Cracker Barrel
1969-2001
Dan Evins founded Cracker Barrel in 1969 while working as a Shell Oil representative. He borrowed $40,000 to build the first location in Lebanon, Tennessee. Evins’ first design combined the restaurant with a gas station, creating a roadside stop for travelers. But his leadership ended in controversy when he instituted an anti-gay hiring policy in 1991 that fired at least 11 employees and sparked nationwide protests. Evins stepped down as CEO in 2001 and resigned as chairman in 2004 following shareholder pressure over the discriminatory policies.
2001-2011
When Michael Woodhouse became CEO, he diplomatically described founder Dan Evins as “a straight-shooter and dedicated to authenticity” while navigating the company’s recovery from earlier scandals. Woodhouse joined Cracker Barrel in 1995 as Senior Vice President and CFO before landing the top job. Woodhouse led the company through what he called “exceptional results, both operational and financial, during some of the toughest economic times”. He oversaw a deliberate succession process and transitioned to Executive Chairman when Sandra Cochran became CEO in September 2011.
2011-2023
Sandra Cochran became the second woman in Tennessee to hold the office of CEO in a publicly traded company. Cochran served as a captain in the United States Army’s Ninth Infantry Division before earning an MBA and leading Books-A-Million as CEO for five years. Under Cochran’s leadership, Cracker Barrel raised its rating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index from 15 to 80, completely transforming the company’s relationship with LGBTQ+ issues. During her tenure, loyal customers Ray and Wilma Yoder completed their quest to visit all 644 Cracker Barrel locations after driving over 5 million miles.
2023-Present
Julie Felss Masino assumed the CEO position on November 1, 2023, bringing over 30 years of experience from Taco Bell International, Starbucks, and other major brands. Masino previously served as President of Taco Bell International, helping oversee growth to more than 1,000 locations in 32 countries. Her leadership has sparked controversy with a logo redesign in August 2025 that removed the iconic barrel imagery, causing stock to plunge 15% and lose $94 million in market value. Despite fierce customer backlash, Masino maintains the response has been “overwhelmingly positive” and insists the company needs to feel relevant “for today and for tomorrow”. She continues her mission to rebuild Cracker Barrel’s image into the future.
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