Cracker Barrel Old Country Store announced the appointment of David Deno as its next CEO on Monday. He succeeds Julie Masino, who will step down from her role as CEO and board member effective August 10, 2026.
Masino will remain with the company in a transitional advisory role until October 9. Independent chairman Carl Berquist thanked Masino for her leadership and commitment, noting the importance of her partnership in ensuring a smooth transition while the company focuses on its strategic priorities.
Deno brings over four decades of experience in the restaurant and retail industries. His background includes serving as CEO of Bloomin' Brands from 2019 to 2024, where he led international expansion and served as CFO starting in 2012 after leading its initial public offering. He also held senior operations and finance roles at Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut, having started his career at Burger King Corporation. Deno currently sits on the boards of Krispy Kreme and Panera Brands.
The appointment follows a period of scrutiny for Masino regarding controversial changes to the brand's logo, which removed the illustration of 'Uncle Herschel', and subsequent restaurant remodels. While Masino initially defended the remodels as receiving positive feedback, the company reversed course by reinstating the original logo and suspending its remodeling plans.
Despite these controversies, shareholders voted to retain Masino in November. The transition comes as Cracker Barrel maintains a significant footprint with roughly 660 locations across 43 states. Most recently, the company reported third-quarter results exceeding analyst expectations with adjusted earnings of 29 cents per diluted share on revenue of $797.4 million.
Chairman Berquist expressed confidence that Deno is the right leader to build on the brand's legacy and drive financial momentum. Deno stated he is honored to lead the team and look forward to unlocking the potential of the iconic American brand, which is defined by its unique combination of country hospitality and timeless appeal.
Updates
Outgoing CEO Julie Masino will depart on August 10 and is set to receive an estimated $4.6 million as part of a severance package. The leadership transition follows a period of financial pressure, with the company acknowledging in September 2025 that brand controversies negatively impacted store traffic and revenue forecasts. Meanwhile, new CEO David Deno, who previously held senior roles at Best Buy, takes the helm as the company works to exceed its fiscal 2026 core profit outlook following the partial divestment of its Maple Street Biscuit business.
Outgoing CEO Julie Masino, who has served in the role since 2023, will step down on August 10 and receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Her successor, David Deno, brings leadership experience from the restaurant and retail sectors, including senior roles at Best Buy. This transition follows a period of financial pressure where the company reported slowing traffic and revenue forecasts below estimates amid ongoing brand identity challenges.
Former CEO Julie Masino will depart on August 10 after serving in the role since 2023, receiving an estimated $4.6 million exit package. Following recent brand controversies that led to declining store traffic and missed revenue forecasts, the company has ended its partnership with the firm responsible for its restaurant redesign and logo simplification. New CEO David Deno, previously a senior executive at Best Buy, assumes leadership as the chain reports an expected core profit outlook for fiscal 2026 that exceeds previous estimates.
Outgoing CEO Julie Masino will receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package as she steps down on August 10, following a tenure that began in 2023. The leadership transition coincides with the company's recent strategic shifts, including the divestiture of part of its Maple Street Biscuit business and a projected exceedance of its core profit outlook for fiscal 2026. While the company faces competitive pressure and fluctuating market performance, sources remain divided on the specific impact of this leadership change on the firm's stock price, with reports of declines ranging between 2% and 4% following the announcement.
CEO Julie Masino will step down on August 10 and receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Following the leadership transition announcement, reports regarding the company's stock performance are currently disputed, with sources citing drops ranging between 2% and 4%. Additionally, the company recently announced the divestment of a portion of its Maple Street Biscuit business and expects to exceed its core profit outlook for the 2026 fiscal year.
Outgoing CEO Sandra Cochran Masino will step down on August 10 and is set to receive a departure package estimated at $4.6 million. The company's board appointed David Deno, who previously held senior roles at Best Buy, to lead the chain through its ongoing $700 million overhaul. While sources provide conflicting reports on the immediate stock impact—varying between a 2% to 4% decline following the announcement—the company recently signaled a positive shift by expecting to exceed its core profit outlook for fiscal 2026.
Former CEO Julie Masino, who has led the chain since 2023, will officially step down on August 10 and receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Following the leadership transition announcement, sources report varying impacts on the company's stock, with declines ranging from 2% to 4%. Meanwhile, the board has appointed David Deno, a former Best Buy executive, as his successor, noting his extensive background in the restaurant and retail sectors.
Outgoing CEO Sandra Cochran will be succeeded by David Deno, who joins with experience from Best Buy, following Masino’s departure scheduled for August 10. Masino, who led the company since 2023, is set to receive an estimated $4.6 million exit package. Amid this transition, the company reported it has divested part of its Maple Street Biscuit business and expects to exceed its core profit outlook for fiscal 2026.
CEO Julie Masino will officially step down on August 10, receiving an estimated $4.6 million departure package as part of her exit. The transition follows a challenging period for the company, which recently reported declining store traffic and missed revenue forecasts amid brand identity controversies. Cracker Barrel has also terminated its partnership with the firm responsible for its recent logo and restaurant redesign, while the company’s stock price has faced volatility following the leadership announcement.
The leadership transition follows Julie Masino's departure on August 10, after her three-year tenure during which she faced significant backlash over a $700 million modernization campaign. The company has since reversed its 2025 logo changes, which had previously caused a 12-14% stock decline and an 8% drop in customer traffic. Amid this recovery effort, Cracker Barrel recently announced the divestment of part of its Maple Street Biscuit business and expects to exceed its core profit outlook for fiscal 2026.
Cracker Barrel announced on July 27, 2026, that CEO Julie Masino will step down on August 10, following a tenure that began in 2023. Masino, who is set to receive a departure package estimated at $4.6 million, presided over a period marked by a controversial $700 million rebranding effort and subsequent store traffic declines. Incoming CEO David Deno, previously a senior executive at Best Buy, takes the helm as the company seeks to recover from significant financial volatility and a recent divestment of its Maple Street Biscuit business.
The leadership change follows the announcement on July 27, 2026, that outgoing CEO Julie Masino will step down on August 10. Masino is set to receive a departure package estimated at $4.6 million, while her successor, David Deno, joins with prior leadership experience from Best Buy. The company has recently taken steps to reverse previous modernization efforts, confirming that its simplified logo will be retired in favor of the traditional 'Old Timer' brand identity following customer backlash.
Following the CEO transition announcement on July 27, 2026, outgoing leader Sandra Cochran Masino will receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. The company, which operates over 660 locations, has recently abandoned its simplified logo in favor of restoring its traditional 'Old Timer' branding. Meanwhile, incoming CEO David Deno, who previously led Bloomin' Brands, takes over as the chain works to address revenue challenges and declining customer traffic.
Following the leadership transition announcement on July 27, 2026, outgoing CEO Julie Masino will step down on August 10 and receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Her successor, David Deno, brings extensive industry experience, including previous executive roles at Best Buy and Bloomin' Brands. Amidst ongoing financial pressures and a 2.6% decline in Q3 comparable restaurant sales, the company confirmed it is reversing its 2025 logo modernization and will retain its traditional brand identity. Additionally, Cracker Barrel is restructuring its portfolio by divesting its Maple Street Biscuit business while projecting to reach or exceed its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast of $3.27 to $3.30 billion.
Julie Masino will step down as CEO on August 10, 2026, following a tenure that began in 2023. She will receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package, while the company transitions to leadership under David Deno, a former Bloomin' Brands executive. This change follows a period of financial and brand turbulence, including the reversal of a controversial 2025 logo modernization and a shift in strategy that saw the company divest its Maple Street Biscuit business to focus on core operations.
Following the leadership transition announcement on July 27, 2026, it was confirmed that CEO Julie Felss Masino will step down on August 10 and receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Incoming CEO David Deno, who previously led Bloomin' Brands, takes over as the company moves to reverse its recent 'All the More' modernization campaign, including the decision to abandon its simplified logo in favor of restoring the classic 'Old Timer' brand identity. These changes follow a challenging fiscal period where the company reported a 2.6% decline in third-quarter comparable restaurant sales and a 6.7% drop in customer traffic.
Julie Masino will step down as CEO on August 10, 2026, after serving in the role since 2023, and is set to receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Following the announcement of her resignation on July 27, David Deno—formerly the CEO of Bloomin' Brands—was appointed as her successor. Meanwhile, the company continues to navigate the aftermath of a controversial 2025 rebrand that significantly impacted store traffic, prompting a recent decision to revert to the traditional logo while abandoning the modernization campaign.
Julie Masino will step down as CEO on August 10, 2026, after three years in the role, and is set to receive a departure package estimated at $4.6 million. Her successor, David Deno, brings experience from his tenure at Bloomin' Brands and Best Buy to the company, which continues to navigate financial challenges including a 2.6 percent decline in Q3 2026 comparable restaurant sales. Additionally, the company has officially abandoned its recent logo rebranding effort, confirming that the new design will be retired in favor of its traditional 'Old Timer' branding.
Julie Masino will step down as CEO on August 10, with former Bloomin' Brands chief David Deno appointed as her successor following a period of declining sales and a controversial rebranding effort. As part of her departure, Masino will receive an estimated $4.6 million package. Meanwhile, the company has officially abandoned its recent logo redesign, confirming that the 'Old Timer' icon will be retained, and announced plans to close its remaining 16 Maple Street Biscuit locations after divesting a portion of that business.
Following the leadership transition announcement on July 27, 2026, it was confirmed that CEO Julie Masino will step down on August 10 and receive an estimated $4.6 million departure package. Her successor, David Deno, brings leadership experience from Best Buy and Bloomin' Brands. Additionally, the company is reversing its 2025 branding overhaul, confirming that the controversial new logo will be discarded in favor of the original 'Old Timer' identity, while simultaneously winding down its Maple Street Biscuit business.
Outgoing CEO Masino, who served approximately three years, will step down on August 10 with an estimated departure package of $4.6 million. The leadership transition follows a controversial rebranding effort that saw the company unveil a simplified logo in August 2025, a move that resulted in an 8% decline in store traffic and significant social media backlash. New CEO David Deno, formerly of Best Buy and Bloomin' Brands, takes over as the company navigates declining sales and a decision to revert to its original logo.
