News Summary
Cracker Barrel has announced the closure of 14 Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurants, starting October 2025, as part of a strategic realignment following customer feedback. Despite previous expansion plans, the brand’s performance has led to a reevaluation, resulting in a reduction in future openings from 9-11 to 8-10 locations by the end of 2024. The Maple Street Biscuit Company, known for its breakfast menu, faces uncertainty as Cracker Barrel emphasizes its core brand to improve profitability.
Leisure, FL – Cracker Barrel has announced the forthcoming closure of 14 company-owned Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurants during fiscal 2026, with operations set to cease starting October 1, 2025. This decision specifically affects locations of the Maple Street Biscuit Company and does not extend to the main Cracker Barrel restaurant chain.
The decision to close these locations follows significant feedback from customers regarding the brand and a strategic realignment within Cracker Barrel’s overall business operations. While Cracker Barrel originally acquired Maple Street Biscuit Company in 2019 for $36 million, the recent performance of the brand has prompted a reevaluation of its expansion plans. After the acquisition, Maple Street initially operated 28 company-owned and five franchised locations across seven states but has since expanded to 68 locations by August 2025. Nonetheless, two of those locations closed in the fourth quarter of 2025 due to underperformance.
As of now, specific locations targeted for closure have not been disclosed. However, the Maple Street Biscuit Company maintains a presence in several Alabama cities, including Madison, Birmingham, Mobile, and Daphne, where several of its establishments operate.
In light of these closures, Cracker Barrel has also adjusted its forecast for the opening of new Maple Street locations. The company reduced its expected openings from a range of 9-11 to 8-10 new locations by the end of 2024. This change aligns with a broader strategic shift focusing on Cracker Barrel’s core business, especially after encountering backlash from customers. Recently, the company faced criticism over a new logo, which was ultimately shelved due to negative customer feedback. Additionally, remodeling efforts for existing locations were suspended for similar reasons.
Financially, Cracker Barrel reported a significant $16.2 million impairment charge associated with underperforming Maple Street locations. This has led to the closure of several unprofitable units by the first quarter of 2026. The company’s leadership has indicated a strong emphasis on strategic transformation, aiming to improve profitability primarily for the Cracker Barrel brand rather than pursuing aggressive expansion for Maple Street.
Maple Street Biscuit Company was founded in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2012 and is widely recognized for its breakfast-focused menu featuring a variety of biscuits, waffles, bowls, and specialty beverages. However, with the shift in focus towards the core brand, the future of Maple Street Biscuit Company remains uncertain as Cracker Barrel navigates through this restructuring process.
In summary, Cracker Barrel’s decision to close 14 Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurants is indicative of the company’s efforts to streamline its operations and respond to customer feedback. As they embark on this strategic shift, the impact on Maple Street operations, existing locations, and future expansions will be closely monitored.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AL.com: Cracker Barrel’s Closure Announcement
- Wikipedia: Cracker Barrel
- Hville Blast: Huntsville’s Brunch Restaurants
- Google Search: Maple Street Biscuit Company
- NRN: Cracker Barrel’s Acquisition of Maple Street Biscuit Company
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- FSR Magazine: Cracker Barrel’s Store Closures
- Google News: Cracker Barrel Maple Street Biscuit
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
