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Cracker Barrel CEO Masino Departs, Deno Named Amid Sales Drop

7/27/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Julie Masino will step down as Cracker Barrel CEO in August, receive a $4.6 million exit package, and with Bloomin’ Brands chief David Deno assuming the position on August 10 and joining the board.
Change follows an August rebrand that removed the “Old-Timer” logo, sparked backlash, and was reversed within days.
Restaurant sales fell 5% in fall 2025 and 7% in quarter ending Jan 30 2026, leaving shares 20% below a year earlier.

History

Historical Context

After PepsiCo bought Tropicana in 1998, it pursued healthier-product growth. In February 2009 the company hired the Arnell Group to redesign the juice carton; consumer backlash within two months erased 20 % of sales, forcing a rapid return to the original orange-skewered logo. The episode foreshadowed later brand-risk concerns that led PepsiCo to sell a 61 % stake in Tropicana to PAI Partners in 2021.

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Story summary

Julie Masino will step down as Cracker Barrel CEO in August, receive a $4.6 million exit package, and with Bloomin’ Brands chief David Deno assuming the position on August 10 and joining the board.
Change follows an August rebrand that removed the “Old-Timer” logo, sparked backlash, and was reversed within days.
Restaurant sales fell 5% in fall 2025 and 7% in quarter ending Jan 30 2026, leaving shares 20% below a year earlier.

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