Cracker Barrel: With Double-Digit Returns, Value Wins Again

  • Cracker Barrel's Q3 FY25 showed positive same-store sales, menu innovation, and raised full-year EBITDA guidance, confirming the turnaround thesis. Value-for-money positioning and comfort food appeal continue to attract both higher- and lower-income diners, driving relative outperformance versus fast food and fine dining. Financials remain solid: restaurant sales growth, manageable debt, and improved productivity offsetting labor inflation, though retail sales lagged and Q3 FCF was negative.