Cracker Barrel Informative - Why employees hate Cracker Barrel

Posted by momsey on 2010-01-29:

Sounds like a crappy place to work. Why do you stay there?

Posted by Ytropious on 2010-01-29:

I think I've only been to Cracker Barrel once in my entire life. It sounds like a terrible place to work, but that's how retail is. It's not any better at most places. Management is always pushing something on you to sell like warranties or batteries or whatever it may be. Yes, it's our job to do it too. While I don't think we should be blamed for things out of our control (no customers to sell to), selling is part of our job description. Where I work it used to be very hard core about selling warranties. Management changed and now it's not as big of a deal, but corporate still demands it. I'm a good seller, but I too get nothing for it. There's really no incentive except that I'm friends with my managers and I like to do well for them. That means when jobs are on the chopping block, I'll likely keep mine. Just keep that in mind.

Posted by goduke on 2010-01-29:

It's part of your job. You don't always get something extra for doing your job.

Posted by redmx3racer on 2010-01-29:

Don't ever get a "real" sales job. Simply asking someone if they want to purchase a pack of gum/mints etc after they have just eaten a meal is hardly high pressure. Personally, I'm always hunting for some gum or a mint after a meal-so I'd be your best customer. And yes, even after I eat breakfast @ 6-7am-who wants "coffee breath"?
I understand they are pressuring you to sell this item, and you need your hours....but it seems from the outside a pretty easy sale. Try selling extended warranties that cost just as much as the product the customer is buying-now that's fun. And I did not get anything "extra" at that job for selling stuff either.

Posted by KenPopcorn on 2010-01-29:

"So being the smart mouth outspoken person I am, I politly asked what do we get for this? She said you get to keep your job."

What more needs to be said?

Posted by noandyes on 2010-01-29:

"You get to keep your job." Yes. Nothing more needs to be said.

And stop griping about how your boss is compensated. If you want to be compensated like him, get a job like his. Management is held to different standards than floor workers, so they are compensated differently.

Posted by Slimjim on 2010-01-29:

What value is this to consumers? As said, it's part of your job description. Why should we care you can't deal with it? Quit and let someone else who needs to make a living take a crack at it then.

Posted by bearkatkitten on 2010-01-29:

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to buy something I don't need. It's just like going to the bank or any other place where people try to get start up something. I know the workers there are doing their job, they have a quota, but I'm not going to get something I don't need nor want.

It's one of those aspects of the job you have to do. If it causes so much stress, start looking for another job while working there.

You might not get paid or anything extra for pushing those "target" items; but I guarantee you, your managers have to put up with different or more crap than you do, hence why they're compensated differently.

Posted by RestaurantGuy on 2010-01-29:

I have to agree with everyone else here. It sounds like part of your job description is to sell these items. All they want you to do is what you said you would when they hired you. If you don't like it find somewhere else to work that you do not have to sell anything.

Posted by Skye on 2010-01-29:

I think the OP needs to find another cashier job, where she won't have to try and sell something.

Posted by jktshff1 on 2010-01-29:

While I agree it is part of the job, penalizing the employee for being unable to push a particular item sounds wrong. They are not commissioned employees. A reward system for making a $$ goal would seem more fair. I would be willing to bet that (if the figures are correct) a portion say 2% of the $10 mil went to the "line employee" the profits would be much greater. The OP made good points that at 6 am in the morning certain items are not going to sell. You gotta admit that csr's and waiters aren't salespeople.
VH, thanks for the review and information.

Posted by littleyaya on 2010-01-29:

This kinda reminds me of when I worked at Mervyns. Your raise depended on how many accounts you opened per quarter. Well the Mervyns I worked at was in a spanish speaking area. I speak some spanish, but not enough to carry on a whole conversation with someone to open an account. So the Spanish speaking employees would get all the accounts. They even had a few employees walk around the store asking customers to open accounts. I always thought it was pretty unfair, but I dealt with it. I was good at everything else I did.

Posted by Cashier@106 on 2010-05-18:

I have worked other jobs, but working at Cracker barrel has been the worst experience. I worked at another retail store once and i KNOW the difference between trying to solicitate for credit card applications and trying to sell candies. Comparison between the two jobs is that the pay rate was same if not 10 cents more or less and both required to solicitate, which is why i got hired at Cracke Barrel in the first place. At least for credit card applications i got a little incentive myself which promoted me to ask more. Not only did we recieve 2 dollars for every credit card app we got (approved or not) we also had legit competitions where the highest won gift cards and so on. The person is perfectly right and adding to that is cracker barrel is a horrible place to work at.

Posted by silv3rfox on 2011-03-30:

I don't like how cracker barrel has been doing on their decisions on how to make sales here in the past couple of years, but i'm glad i even have a job there. i've been there for 8 years...going on 9, and my home store (which i will keep anonymous) has had better service now then when i first started due to this "target item" program as well as the "seat to eat" program.

this is for future posts on this topic for future employees who are reading this, if you don't like how stuff is ran, take time from your day and find another place to go to work. don't spent it griping and being childish on the internet.

in fact just talking about how you hate cracker barrel on a public online site is against their policy if you are caught.

Posted by anothercashier on 2011-08-08:

I work there as well, Im a cashier as well, I make it fun, I sell a lot, I never push, I only make it fun for me and the guest, if they say no, thats ok as well...been there a long time, its a good place to work, they are very good to me, Im thankful I have the job!

Posted by PAR 4 on 2011-11-10:

Iv'e worked for Cracker barrel a long time now and Iv'e crossed trained as a cashier, server, cook, and retail. Not once have I seen or heard of something like this happening. First I do want to say I'm sorry, second I think it might be your store like at ours the cashiers have stuff by the cash registers to sell but we do not get our hours cut if we don't sell a lot of them. Also our managers and District manager are very down to earth about a lot of things. Our managers anything they gain at work they put back into work the tips they get from to go orders or stuff the store/restraint wins for being number 1 or 2 in the dis. they put all of it towards the store or employees.

Posted by notaslave on 2012-03-22:

I'm an employee at cracker barrel and notices that all the new host are skinny girls all under the age of 21 and they are now getting most of the hours.

Posted by notaslave on 2012-03-22:

I wish finding a job was that simple , but it not. If you have little experience and don't have degree yet your choices are slim.

Posted by disabled from occupation on 2012-04-18:

I worked for this crappy company. The management is very unprofessional in my book. I have been in this industry for a great many years, working for some high-profile establishments. I was told by the Cracker Barrel management that I was not liked. I responded by telling them that this was a first. However, I was not in this for popularity. On my last day, I was aked why I did not broadcast my disability upon the front of my application. Personally, I have never seen a 'spot' for that on any application. A manager that viewed this as being 'wrong' was terminated and ultimately lost his family due to the management of Cracker Barrel. I have recently graduated with my Associates degree in Restaurant Management, and I am now working on my Bachelors degree. My focus is to never run my business, or treat my employees like Cracker Barrel does. Unlike Cracker Barrel, I will be certain to adhere by the laws.

Posted by shay 69 on 2012-04-28:

they do this now, cracker barrel was a great comp. to work for a few years ago until the economy crashed now the moral is very low, long term employees feel they r trying to push us away so they dont have to pay benefits to us. I understand the need to keep up sales especially in this economy but the way employees are treated and threatened to loose hours is very stressful. take me a server who suffers from multiple anxiety disorders and I have a cognitive memory problem due to a disability. I do great most of the time and able to perform my job as well as most long term employees if not better, I do not use my disability to my advantage I try to overcome it, but if I make a simple mistake Im threatened to loose hours, in fact 4 times in the last month as well as with alot of other employees at the store all because its going into slow season and they have double the help they need for slow season, there is a sign posted on office about it. So what happens when you take someone with an anxiety disorder a almost give them a panic attack, they mess up even more due to the anxiety. Its such a shame that we cant be treated like human beings, we get yelled at for getting a drink asked where were going if we need to use the bathroom, we have no breaks as servers but we aren't even allowed in break room for a snack or drink without being yelled at, there has been so many occasions where iv worked 8 hours and couldn't use bathroom...

Posted by Mad on 2012-06-04:

I worked as a server at Cracker Barrel for 3 weeks, that was enough for me!! First of all during my training I constantley saw several female servers crying, should have been my first clue....When you interview for this job it will sound like the BEST job EVER!! Do not be fooled! My trainer was very nice to me..but after 12 hours of training I was thrown to the wolves and out on my own. You are expected in the 15 minutes before your floor shift starts to unwrap 100 napkins and roll 100 silverwares!! (150 on the weekends!) Sorry but not gonna happen!! So you get a table, within one minute of them sitting down you go out, greet your table, get their drink order AND pressure them to know their food order right away..yep..why need a menu??? You should know what you want before you walk in the door!! So then you put the order in and get their drinks. In the mean time you are being SCREAMED at to run food...you have to help run everyone elses food...so while they r being lazy in the break room you are running their food. Okay your table just got their food ... yay...you BETTER be back at that table within ONE yes ONE minute to drop off their check and say it is for their "convenience"!!!! Like youre saying "get the **** out" !! And guests look at you just like that. That is why you will not make good tips!!!!! Ok, so now you are cut from the floor, you have side-work to do... no big deal! I understand you need to do this at any restaurant!! Well i got done with my shift at 8:15 pm, had my sidework done and everything. The server responsible for checking my side-work "didnt have time" for me for 45 minutes to check my work....SO meanwhile I am getting yelled at to run food and help other servers when I am only being paid $2.13 an hour for this! One day I was stuck 2 and a half hours past my cut time helping others for $2 an hour..so unethical... so at the end of the day you have to have 4 more signatures ..manager, silverware, sidework, and tables. Just like being babysat!!! Trust me I don't mind doing work!! I have been a server for years, and have always loved it, worked with nice people, had nice customers. Not at this job...give yourself more value than to work at this establishment!!!

Posted by sweetiepie on 2012-06-04:

CB treats there staff badly. My manager is the meanest person I have ever worked for. All the wait staff I work with work a different job and are looking to leave CB as soon as they can. If you have extremely low self esteem and like to work for no money, this is the perfect job for you. If you like yourself even a little-- do not even work here or eat here either.

Posted by moonpie on 2012-07-06:

here's my 3 cents... When a cashier's drawer is more than $4.99 short at the end of their shift, that amount is deducted from their paycheck. O.K...I understand that. BUT, if the cash drawer is OVER, that is alright and just goes into the company's bank account. Go figure.

Posted by ex-cracker barrel employe on 2012-08-20:

I worked there for 7 years. in several different stores. They are all ran the same way and for the most part the managers treat you the same..LIKE SH##.. There were a few that treated you like a human. Now what about when managers do wrong???? Like sleeping with there employee's???

Posted by loving cb on 2012-11-01:

I have worked as a server/host at CB for 5 years.I love my job! The very worst part is the way people tip!! Rolling silverware, doing sidework and running food is all part of the job which comes down to one thing which is TEAM WORK. For those that think that's hard work I would hate to see what your homes look like!

Posted by seriously on 2012-11-04:

I work at CB as a retail manager, we don't do target items anymore. that's for one, as far as being a cashier goes, the expecatation is to be interactive with the guest, its what we do. Many cashiers like the one that left this comment is the type that stand up front and lean and act like you asking them to do thier job is a hassle. I love working at this company and ALL companys anywhere you go have bad managers, I've met hundreds in my nearly 20 years in the industry, for everyone one that is not nice there is 10 others that are great. When you take a job, read the fine print in the description of what you are going to be doing every day and you'll never be dissatified with it. Oh by the way we do not get free trips to disney, and weekends in honolulu, simply not true. the only way you can get incentives like that is to win total company contests and I got news, it takes alot of teamwork, not cracking a whip at your staff. Also to note, many contests the company does run involve each staff member from retail and cash recieving a prize as well. Again all aout teamwork, same thing goes for being a server, and rolling silverware is part of how you are earning money, who else is going to do it for you, its for your guest you are serving and looking for a tip from, should the manager roll it for you? your not going to share the tip you recieve are you, ask yourself that before you start to complain. TEAM WORK!!

Posted by brae hurst on 2012-11-05:

they are a group of nazis you can't eat a piece of bread without getting yell at it sucks at cracker barrel they don't care about you a woman lost her kid and they fired her

Posted by serverpar4 on 2013-01-24:

I have worked at Cracker Barrel for 3 years. I am a closer there 5 nights a week. I hate my job. I love the people I work with, and some of the management team very much. But, the rest really do treat you like crap. I've worked at 2 locations and I am currently back at my home store because the second location was so horrible. They tell you when you get hired on that they work around your schedule. so you tell them when you can and can not work. Easy enough right? Wrong. They constantly mess up my schedule and tell me that I need to figure it out. When I can't find someone to pick up my shifts that they schedule me for knowing I can not be there because we only have one car in our household that we share. They yell at me and treat me like a child, write me up for missing my shift and cut my hours the next week. When I say something to the GM about it, she says I need to talk to the scheduling manager, when I say something to him about it he says talk to the gm. its a never ending battle. I bust my ass there every single night I work. I know it is a high stress job sometimes but there is absolutely no reason for the managers to speak to their employees the way that they do. They demand respect from us yet they refuse to show us any whatsoever. The management make it a stressful environment Not the amount of work, or even the disgruntled customers. But when we have to get yelled at by our customers because the grill cooks mess up an order (Or sometimes a server will ring it in wrong) and then come back to the server aisle and get screamed at by a manager to the point we are in tears, it's disgusting. The cooks, hosts, dishwashers all get a "Great Job" from the management at the end of a busy hour even if it was a disaster, but the servers get, "you guys had so many mess ups it wasn't even funny, you didn't turn your tables over fast enough so we didn't make goal hours you should be ashamed of yourselves!" when we are the ones having to make the guests happy. I had a lady yell at me once because I forgot honey mustard. I was the only sever on the floor and I had 10 tables go down within 7-8 minutes. she not only yelled at me but yelled at the manager for not having enough people working. I in turned got screamed at for making the guests unhappy and "causing a scene". I burnt my hand with extremely hot tea grounds once because someone ran into me while I was trying to throw them away, the entire back of my right hand was covered with second degree burns. it took me 20 minutes to get the manager into the office to file an accident report and then the whole time we were in there he was texting his girlfriend and ignoring me. an hour later I finally get to the ER. 2 days later when I'm back at work with my hand wrapped. He looks at it and says I thought you were just over acting and being too extreme by crying like that the other day. I unwrapped my hand and showed him the blisters and blackened skin and said " does this look like I over acted?" and walked away. CB has no regard for it's employees whatsoever. The only reason I stay there is because it's a job and I have a family to take care of and until I finish School, CB it is.

Posted by C.Ranft on 2013-03-11:

Thanks for all of the comments. I have been a customer for the length of time CB has been in my area, as well as the times we travel across country. I have seen negative changes in the stores, much to my dismay. Now that I realize some of the changes are personnel demanded, we will no longer frequent CB stores. Competitors will gain our business.

Posted by slave to cb on 2013-04-23:

open 364 days a year...no raise unless you par test...0 over time...and when you do get a raise your hours get cut..in that position....when back of the house meets a goal HR...we get free Soda....Management gets a bonus...i guess thats what you get when the company is on the NYSE