The Impact of Conservative Boycotts on Cracker Barrel Restaurants

In a recent turn of events, a popular restaurant chain, Cracker Barrel, has found itself at the centre of a cultural storm. The establishment, known for its largely white, conservative, and rural customer base, has been accused of adopting left-wing corporate policies.

At the forefront of this movement is the activist Robby Starbuck, who has been actively involved in boycott campaigns against several major brands, including Cracker Barrel, Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, and John Deere, among others. Starbuck's efforts have been successful in leading boycott campaigns that have resulted in policy changes at these brands.

The controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel began when the company rebranded, replacing its old logo with a typography-only design. This change, while seemingly minor, caught public attention, and the underlying political story had real stakes.

The activist's claims suggest that Cracker Barrel had been implementing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Pride, pronouns, and race politics. These changes, perceived as a deviation from core American values, sparked a social media uproar that led to a 17 percent plummet in Cracker Barrel's stock price.

Christopher F. Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal, has been vocal about the fight over corporate culture. He believes that this fight cannot be won without securing real, tangible victories. Rufo, who is also the author of "America's Cultural Revolution," argues that the ideological capture of American institutions should be reversed using whatever power one has.

The Cracker Barrel campaign is a part of a larger trend where conservatives are flexing their muscles in the marketplace. The success of these boycott campaigns demonstrates that conservatives can win culture fights, and corporations follow the narrative in the media.

However, this is not just about Cracker Barrel. Even if one doesn't care about the restaurant chain in particular, the ideological capture of American institutions should be a concern. Behavior changes through reward and punishment, and making an example of Cracker Barrel could lead to conservatives lashing out at other institutions that deviate from core American values.

The top photo in this article is by Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. This story serves as a reminder that the power of public opinion and collective action can bring about change, and it's crucial to stay vigilant and informed about the cultural shifts happening around us.