Cracker Barrel Old Country Store named David Deno as its next chief executive officer on Monday, replacing Julie Masino, who is stepping down from the role and from the company's board effective August 10, 2026. Masino will continue with Cracker Barrel in a transitional advisory role until October 9. Deno brings more than four decades of restaurant and retail industry experience, most recently serving as chief executive of Bloomin' Brands from 2019 to 2024, where he led international expansion, and previously holding senior operations and finance roles at Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut. Carl Berquist, independent chairman of Cracker Barrel's board, cited Deno's track record in announcing the appointment, expressing confidence he will drive operational and financial momentum. Masino's exit follows activist shareholder pressure over a logo change and restaurant remodels, though shareholders voted to retain her in November, and the company recently posted third-quarter adjusted earnings of 29 cents per diluted share on revenue of $797.4 million, exceeding analyst expectations and raising its full-year forecast.
Cracker Barrel Old Country StoreNew CEO appointment with strong track record expected to drive operational and financial momentum.
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