Cracker Barrel's Business Booms Despite Conservative Boycotts Thanks to Drag Queen Brunch and Bud Light
Image source: Cracker Barrel's Official Facebook Page |
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, the popular Southern-themed restaurant chain, has seen a surge in business despite facing boycotts from conservative groups for its support of Pride Month.
The reason? A new menu item that has attracted customers from all walks of life: the drag queen brunch.
The drag queen brunch, which is offered every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., features a variety of dishes such as rainbow pancakes, glitter grits, and fabulous french toast. But the main attraction is the live entertainment provided by some of the most talented drag queens in the country, who perform songs, dances, and comedy routines while interacting with the guests.
"We wanted to do something fun and different to celebrate Pride Month and show our support for the LGBTQ+ community," said Cracker Barrel CEO Sandra Cochran. "We thought a drag queen brunch would be a great way to bring people together and have a good time."
The drag queen brunch has been a hit with customers, who have flocked to Cracker Barrel locations across the nation to enjoy the food and the show. Many have posted positive reviews and photos on social media, praising the quality of the food, the service, and the entertainment.
"I had so much fun at the drag queen brunch at Cracker Barrel," wrote one customer on Facebook. "The food was delicious and the drag queens were amazing. They were so funny and friendly, and they made everyone feel welcome. I can't wait to go back next week."
Another customer tweeted: "Cracker Barrel's drag queen brunch is the best thing that ever happened to me. I got to meet my favorite drag queen, Trixie Mattel, and she complimented my outfit. I almost died. Thank you Cracker Barrel for making my dreams come true."
The drag queen brunch has also attracted some celebrities, who have joined in on the fun. Singer Dolly Parton, who is a longtime supporter of Cracker Barrel and has a line of products sold at its gift shops, made a surprise appearance at a Nashville location last week, where she performed some of her hits and posed for pictures with the drag queens and the customers.
"I love Cracker Barrel and I love drag queens," Parton said. "I think it's wonderful that they are doing this for Pride Month. It's all about love and acceptance, and that's what I stand for."
However, not everyone is happy with Cracker Barrel's drag queen brunch. Some conservative groups have called for a boycott of the chain, accusing it of betraying its traditional values and alienating its core customer base.
"Cracker Barrel has gone too far," said Texas Family Project, a conservative organization that promotes family values. "They have abandoned their roots and their loyal customers who made them successful. They have sold out to the radical left and the LGBTQ+ agenda. They have turned their restaurants into dens of sin and debauchery. We urge all Americans who care about morality and decency to stop eating at Cracker Barrel."
But Cracker Barrel is not backing down from its decision to support Pride Month and offer the drag queen brunch. Cochran said that the boycotts have had no negative impact on the chain's sales or reputation, and that the drag queen brunch has actually boosted its business and attracted new customers.
"We are proud of our drag queen brunch and we are not going to stop it," Cochran said. "We believe that everyone is welcome at our table, no matter who they are or who they love. We are not going to let a few hateful voices drown out the many positive ones. We are going to keep serving our customers with great food and great entertainment, and we hope they keep coming back for more."
In addition to the drag queen brunch, Cracker Barrel has also started serving alcohol at its restaurants for the first time in its history. However, there is only one brand of beer available: Bud Light.
"We wanted to offer our customers a refreshing beverage option that goes well with our food," Cochran explained. "We chose Bud Light because it is light, crisp, and has a rainbow logo that matches our rocking chair."
Bud Light has also faced backlash from some conservatives for its support of Pride Month and its partnership with TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney, a trans rights activist and actress. Sales of Bud Light have plummeted since the beer brand launched its rainbow campaign last month.
But Cracker Barrel is not worried about losing customers over its choice of beer. Cochran said that Bud Light has been selling well at its restaurants, especially during the drag queen brunch.
"Our customers love Bud Light," Cochran said. "They say it tastes like freedom and equality. And it goes great with our glitter grits."
Comments
Post a Comment