cooking at the barrel - Cook Cracker Barrel Employee Review

4.0
20 Jun 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This is a good place to work at. I was a back-up cook for 6 years and may not have loved every minute of it. However, I did enjoy the independence and recognition i received for a job well done. Especially on those busy weekdays working alone back there. It takes a special breed and a love of cooking to excel at this restaurant.

Cons

The biggest con of working at any restaurant is having to work pretty much all holidays and weekends. Sometimes a good three day break can be arranged but other than your paid vacations you live there 40+hrs a week. Also, the management team likes to cut hours a lot and leave the other cooks with a mountain of work and tickets. So be aware of busy times with only yourself to rely on.

Explore other reviews about Cracker Barrel

5.0
1 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Very positive work environment! Lots of room for growth

Cons

Short shifts and it can be hard to get more hours

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Cracker Barrel Response
2mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We appreciate your input and are happy to hear you enjoyed your time at Cracker Barrel!
2.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Most coworkers were genuinely great to work with and made shifts more enjoyable. * The guest interaction and serving aspect of the job is something I personally enjoy. * Some shifts could be positive depending on staffing and team on duty.

Cons

*Management was often unprofessional with inconsistent communication and expectations. * Certain coworker behavior occasionally affected morale and created a less positive work environment. * There was a noticeable blame culture where issues were not handled in a constructive way. * In my experience, bringing up workplace concerns or uncomfortable situations did not always feel welcomed or supported, and it sometimes felt like speaking up led to negative attention. * Scheduling and hours were inconsistent, making it hard to rely on stable income. * Inconsistent scheduling sometimes resulted in difficult shift patterns, including working split doubles (such as 9–3 followed by a 4–close shift), which often meant not getting out until around 10:30 PM and then repeating the pattern on consecutive days. * Training was limited, and expectations were often unclear, which made the job more stressful than it needed to be. * In my experience, HR concerns or formal complaints did not feel like they were taken seriously or addressed in a meaningful way.

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