<P> The company grew consistently through the 1980s and 1990s, attaining a $1 billion market value by 1992 . In 1993, the chain's revenue was nearly twice that of any other family restaurant . </P> <P> In 1994, the chain tested a carry - out - only store, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Corner Market, in suburban residential neighborhoods . In addition, it expanded into new markets through the establishment of more traditional Cracker Barrel locations, the majority of them outside the South, and tested alterations to its menus to adapt to new regions . The chain added regional dishes to its menus, including eggs and salsa in Texas and Reuben sandwiches in New York, but continued to offer its original menu items in all restaurants . </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> <P> The number of combined restaurants and stores owned by Cracker Barrel increased between 1997 and 2000, to more than 420 locations . In 2000 and 2001, the company addressed staffing and infrastructure issues related to this rapid growth by implementing a more rigorous recruitment strategy and introducing new technology, including an order - placement system . From the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, the company focused on opening new locations in residential areas to attract local residents and workers as customers . It updated its marketing in 2006 to encourage new customers, changing the design of its highway billboard advertisements to include images of menu items . Previously the signs had featured only the company's logo . By 2011, Cracker Barrel had opened more than 600 restaurants in 42 states . On January 17, 2012, company founder Dan Evins died of bladder cancer . </P>

Cracker barrels three strategies for strengthening its core