Cracker Barrel names David Deno as new CEO, replacing Julie Masino

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store named David Deno arsenic its adjacent main enforcement serviceman connected Monday, replacing Julie Masino, who is stepping down from the relation and from the company's committee effectual August 10, 2026. The institution said Masino volition proceed with Cracker Barrel successful a transitional advisory relation until October 9.

Deno brings much than 4 decades of edifice and retail manufacture acquisition to the role. Most recently, helium served arsenic main enforcement of Bloomin' Brands from 2019 to 2024, wherever helium led the institution done a play of planetary expansion. Before becoming CEO astatine Bloomin' Brands, helium served arsenic the company's enforcement vice president and main fiscal serviceman opening successful 2012, a tenure that included starring its archetypal nationalist offering. He besides held elder operations and concern roles astatine Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut, including serving arsenic CFO and main operating serviceman of Yum! Brands, and began his vocation astatine Burger King Corporation. Deno presently serves connected the boards of Krispy Kreme and Panera Brands.

Carl Berquist, autarkic president of Cracker Barrel's board, cited Deno's way grounds crossed edifice and retail successful announcing the appointment. "We are assured David is the close person to proceed gathering connected the Cracker Barrel legacy, thrust further affirmative momentum operationally and financially, and make sustainable worth for our shareholders," Berquist said successful a statement.

"Cracker Barrel is simply a genuinely iconic American brand, defined by its unsocial operation of lukewarm state hospitality, timeless appeal, and heavy transportation with guests crossed generations," Deno said successful a statement. "I americium honored to pb the Cracker Barrel squad and look guardant to unlocking the afloat imaginable of this singular brand."

Masino's exit comes aft a turbulent agelong for the Lebanon, Tennessee-based chain. She faced activistic shareholder unit pursuing contention implicit the company's logo alteration and edifice remodels past summer, though shareholders voted to clasp her successful November, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Cracker Barrel had precocious posted third-quarter results that exceeded expert expectations and raised its full-year forecast, with adjusted net of 29 cents per diluted stock connected gross of $797.4 cardinal for the fiscal 3rd 4th ended May 1. The institution operates astir 660 locations crossed 43 states.