Bulwark Takes Cracker Barrel’s Glow Up Is a Glow Down
Aug 21, 2025
Hannah Yoest, a graphic design expert, and Sonny Bunch, a Bulwark colleague, dive into Cracker Barrel's controversial rebrand. They dissect the new logo and minimalist store decor, questioning if the shift is about appealing to Gen Z or simply corporate blandness. Discussions touch on the conflict between modern designs and the brand's nostalgic roots. They also explore how these changes reflect broader cultural shifts and challenge traditional American identity, all while sharing personal anecdotes about the restaurant's evolving image.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Heritage Logos Lose Their Soul
- Heritage brands are stripping iconic visual elements to chase a youthful audience, losing what made them distinctive.
- Hannah Yoest argues Cracker Barrel removed crucial identity markers like the barrel man, weakening its nostalgic signal.
Redesign Feels Like Sterile Decluttering
- The new store aesthetic reads as sterile, organized tchotchke rather than charming clutter, alienating longtime visitors.
- Sonny Bunch calls the redesign "minimalist junk drawer," showing the visual mismatch with Cracker Barrel's identity.
Leadership Explains The Design Shift
- The new CEO's background in Starbucks, Macy's, and Taco Bell explains the pivot toward modern retail design.
- JVL links Julie Masino's retail experience to the current aesthetic direction targeting different customers.