Cracker Barrel CEO Masino steps down, Deno named successor

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store announced a major leadership change on Monday, July 27, 2026, with Chief Executive Officer Julie Masino stepping down after a turbulent tenure. She will be succeeded by David Deno, the former CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, effective August 10.

Masino, who joined the company in 2023, will remain in an advisory role until October 9 to assist with the transition. The company’s stock, traded under the ticker CBRL, fell 5.4% to $50.82 following the announcement, erasing a portion of its significant year-to-date gains.

The leadership shift follows a period of intense controversy for the Southern-themed restaurant chain. Masino had spearheaded a broad modernization plan intended to attract younger customers, which included store remodels, menu updates, and a change to the brand’s iconic logo. The logo redesign, which removed the classic “old timer” figure, became a particular flashpoint, drawing criticism from loyal customers and even public commentary from former President Donald Trump. Facing a swift social media backlash, the company reversed the logo change less than a week after its introduction.

The attempted rebrand was part of a larger $700 million...