Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel received a score of 30 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2). In 2019, the company made clear that a church that had pre-organized an event at one of its locations could not have the event due to its policy prohibiting protests and demonstrations on its sites. The Tennessee Democratic Party tweeted to make Cracker Barrel aware of the event and to encourage the company not to host the group due to the pastor’s recent comments regarding the LGBTQ+ community (3). The pastor had allegedly encouraged acts of violence against LGBTQ members of the community in a sermon, including that these “freaks” and “animals” be “speedily executed” by the state (4). However, the company has not canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (5).

Cracker Barrel’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2). The company’s charitable giving guidelines require that organizations abide by its nondiscrimination policy, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, thereby excluding some religious charities (3).

Cracker Barrel has held unconscious bias training for its employees (1)(2). The company appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its leadership composition. From its 2024 ESG Report: “In seeking candidates to join the Board, the Company also seeks to achieve a mix of Board members with a diversity of background and experience, including with respect to age, gender, race and specialized experience” (3). In July 2025, America First Legal filed a letter with the EEOC requesting a civil rights investigation into the company over discriminatory practices in “attract[ing], select[ing], develop[ing], and retain[ing] high-performing talent with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives” (4)(5). The company operates a supplier diversity program: “Our supplier diversity program provides an equal opportunity to compete for our business, regardless of race, national origin, physical ability, gender, or sexual orientation” (6). The company does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (7).

Cracker Barrel supports DEI within its business practices, hosting a CBI (DEI) council (1). The company supports DEI within its business practices. From its 2024 ESG Report: “Diversity and Inclusion is now Belonging and Culture to emphasize our broader commitment to Cracker Barrel’s special culture which is dedicated to creating a culture of hospitality that is welcoming, inclusive and respectful to all who walk through our door” (2). The company supports ESG within its business practices. From its 2024 ESG Report: “While our transformation will take time and we’re in the early stages, we have reaffirmed our commitment to integrating ESG principles into the core of our strategy in a way that balances the needs and expectations of all of our shareholders, while protecting our business for the long term” (3). The company has committed to public advocacy for or engagement with LGBTQ causes, including participating in the Nashville Pride Parade (4)(5).

Cracker Barrel was a copper level sponsor of Out & Equal (1). The company developed a “Rainbow Pride Rocker” and donated the funds to various LGBTQ organizations to help with fundraising efforts (2). Cracker Barrel is a sponsor of America250, a bipartisan initiative created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 (3). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of the company using corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (4)(5).

Cracker Barrel’s PAC has been defunct since 2018 (1)(2). The company does not report on its lobbying at this time (3).