Worst employer I have worked for. - Line Cook/Prep Cook Cracker Barrel Employee Review

1.0
May 10, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay. Management recognized my experience and offered me cross-training quickly.

Cons

My former coworkers at Cracker Barrel were the most racist, sexist, and generally disrespectful people I have ever worked for, with sexual harassment and blatant racism being commonplace. I was fired for refusing to lie to a health inspector and costing points on an inspection. I was told the district manager's position was that he'd rather comp the entire dining room than deal with the inspection, so we had to shut down the kitchen for 3 hours. The customers were not told, and orders continued to be placed, eventually forming a pile of tickets on the floor in front of the grill. Said grill was poorly equipped. I had to provide my own thermometer for checking meat safety. Equipment was not updated for menu changes, and much of it was in disrepair or entirely non-functional. I never saw fresh grease in the fryers. Prep and pull was not done consistently, nor was backline cooking being handled properly, leading to constant shortages of food.

Explore other reviews about Cracker Barrel

5.0
Mar 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Enjoyed management and my coworkers

Cons

sometimes can be strict compared to other restuarants

2.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most coworkers were genuinely great to work with and made shifts more enjoyable. * The guest interaction and serving aspect of the job is something I personally enjoy. * Some shifts could be positive depending on staffing and team on duty.

Cons

*Management was often unprofessional with inconsistent communication and expectations. * Certain coworker behavior occasionally affected morale and created a less positive work environment. * There was a noticeable blame culture where issues were not handled in a constructive way. * In my experience, bringing up workplace concerns or uncomfortable situations did not always feel welcomed or supported, and it sometimes felt like speaking up led to negative attention. * Scheduling and hours were inconsistent, making it hard to rely on stable income. * Inconsistent scheduling sometimes resulted in difficult shift patterns, including working split doubles (such as 9–3 followed by a 4–close shift), which often meant not getting out until around 10:30 PM and then repeating the pattern on consecutive days. * Training was limited, and expectations were often unclear, which made the job more stressful than it needed to be. * In my experience, HR concerns or formal complaints did not feel like they were taken seriously or addressed in a meaningful way.

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