Cracker Barrel Appoints David Deno CEO to Drive $3.3 Billion Turnaround
Updated
Updated · Simply Wall St · Aug 9
Cracker Barrel Appoints David Deno CEO to Drive $3.3 Billion Turnaround
3 articles · Updated · Simply Wall St · Aug 9
Summary
David Deno will become Cracker Barrel’s CEO and a board member, replacing Julie Masino, who will stay on as an adviser through Oct. 9, 2026 to support the handover.
Deno was hired to improve execution of the restaurant chain’s turnaround, which centers on guest-experience upgrades, menu simplification and digital investment amid soft traffic and thin margins.
Cracker Barrel had reaffirmed 2026 revenue guidance of $3.27 billion to $3.3 billion in June and maintained its $0.25 quarterly dividend before the leadership change.
The new CEO still inherits refinancing risk on $300 million of convertible debt, along with macro uncertainty, supply-chain volatility and pressure on margins as investors assess whether the turnaround can stay on track.