<P> By September 1997 , Cracker Barrel had 314 restaurants , and aimed to increase the number of stores by approximately 50 per year over the following five years . The firm closed its Corner Market operations in 1997 and refocused on its restaurant and gift store locations . Its then president , Ron Magruder , stated that the chain was concentrating on strengthening its core theme , offering traditional foods and retail in a country store setting , with good service and country music . The chain opened its first restaurant and gift store not located near a highway in 1998 , in Dothan , Alabama . In the 2000s , in the wake of incidents including charges of racial discrimination and controversy over its policy of firing gay employees , the firm launched a series of promotional activities including a nationwide book drive and a sweepstakes with trips to the Country Music Association Awards and rocking chairs among the prizes . </P>
<P> By September 1997 , Cracker Barrel had 314 restaurants , and aimed to increase the number of stores by approximately 50 per year over the following five years . The firm closed its Corner Market operations in 1997 and refocused on its restaurant and gift store locations . Its then president , Ron Magruder , stated that the chain was concentrating on strengthening its core theme , offering traditional foods and retail in a country store setting , with good service and country music . The chain opened its first restaurant and gift store not located near a highway in 1998 , in Dothan , Alabama . In the 2000s , in the wake of incidents including charges of racial discrimination and controversy over its policy of firing gay employees , the firm launched a series of promotional activities including a nationwide book drive and a sweepstakes with trips to the Country Music Association Awards and rocking chairs among the prizes . </P>
cracker barrels three strategies for strengthening its core
cracker barrels three strategies for strengthening its core
strengthening its core theme offering traditional foods and retail in a country store setting good service and country music
strengthening its core theme offering traditional foods and retail in a country store setting good service and country music