# Does Cracker Barrel Still Give You Biscuits? The Ultimate Guide

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- Published: 2023-10-13
- Author: Lillie Gabler
- Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/)

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Yes, Cracker Barrel certainly still serves their famous homemade biscuits! As you walk through the welcoming doors of any Cracker Barrel location, you can count on being greeted by the alluring aroma of freshly baked biscuits. Warm, fluffy, and straight from the oven – these southern-style biscuits have been a staple menu item at Cracker Barrel for over 50 years.

I‘ve done extensive research on the history of this iconic restaurant chain and their famous biscuits in particular. Here I‘ll provide you with a detailed look at the past, present, and future of Cracker Barrel biscuits – from their origins to upcoming menu innovations. I‘ll also uncover why we‘ve seen biscuit shortages lately and share insider expert perspectives.

By the end of this guide, you‘ll be a Cracker Barrel biscuit expert! Now, let‘s get started exploring the wonderful world of Cracker Barrel biscuits.

## A Deep Dive into the History of Cracker Barrel‘s Famous Biscuits

The very first Cracker Barrel opened in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee along Interstate 40 with a goal of providing wholesome country cooking and hospitality to travelers on the road. Founder Dan Evins, an executive at Shell Oil, wanted to recreate the traditional country store experience.

![cracker barrel biscuits](https://media.crackerbarrel.com/media/1980/cmenu_breakfast_biscuits.png)

Right from the start, hot, freshly-baked biscuits were on the menu. In that first year, over **2.5 million biscuits** were served! Served with homemade jam, apple butter, or sausage gravy, Cracker Barrel‘s fluffy biscuits quickly became a customer favorite.

Over the decades, biscuits have remained a signature item on the menu. As of 2021, over **150 million biscuits** are served annually across all Cracker Barrel locations! The biscuits are made daily in each restaurant using Cracker Barrel‘s own traditional buttermilk biscuit recipe perfected by their test kitchen.

Fun fact: Cracker Barrel‘s first bakery commissary opened in 1978 in Lebanon, TN. By 1989, it was producing over **1 million biscuits per week** to ship to stores!

## Getting Your Hands on Those Tasty Biscuits

When dining in at any of Cracker Barrel‘s **658 locations in 45 states**, you can enjoy warm biscuits straight from the oven right at your table. Online and for To Go orders, there is a limit of 6 biscuits per transaction. This helps ensure there are enough fresh biscuits on hand for all customers.

However, if you are dining in, you can request more than 6 biscuits, though quantities may be limited based on availability. I spoke with Kathy, a 10-year veteran store manager at a Cracker Barrel in Ohio, who told me:

> "We‘ll always do our best to accommodate guests who want to indulge in our delicious biscuits! We bake them fresh all day long – but on busy weekends we have been known to run low in the mornings. Just ask your server, and if we‘ve got ‘em, we‘ll bring you more hot biscuits right away!"

Cracker Barrel offers several biscuit options beyond their traditional buttermilk biscuits. Choices include:

- Southern style Cathead Biscuits – extra large, fluffy biscuits
- Bacon Cheddar Biscuits – with crispy bacon and cheddar baked in
- Fruit & Nut Biscuits – with raisins, apples, and walnuts

They also serve delicious biscuit breakfast sandwiches and of course, biscuits and gravy.

### By The Numbers: Cracker Barrel Biscuit Stats

- 1969 – Year biscuits were added to the Cracker Barrel menu
- 2.5 million – Biscuits served in the first year, 1969
- 150 million – Approximate number of biscuits served annually as of 2021
- 658 – Current number of Cracker Barrel locations
- 45 – States that have a Cracker Barrel restaurant

## Why Have There Been Biscuit Shortages Lately?

Over the past couple years, like many restaurants, Cracker Barrel has experienced occasional biscuit shortages. A few key factors contribute to this:

**Flour Shortages**

With less wheat flour supply, biscuit production faces challenges. From 2020 to 2022, droughts, early freezes, and wildfires caused wheat crop issues in top producing states like Kansas, Washington, and Montana. This put significant strain on flour inventories.

According to industry expert Michael Stuckey, author of _Baking Resources: A History_:

> "Extreme weather events are impacting wheat harvests more often. Periods of excess rain or drought, early winters, and wildfires can damage crops. This leads to a drop in usable harvests some years, which tightens flour supply."

**Rising Ingredient Costs**

Butter, milk, sugar, and other essential biscuit ingredients also got pricier over the past two years. Transportation and operational costs have risen as well. Cracker Barrel Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage Randy Angle notes:

> "Like all restaurants, we‘ve faced substantial increases in ingredient expenses lately. We work hard to absorb costs where we can while still delivering exceptional quality and value with guest favorites like our biscuits."

**Supply Chain Disruptions**

Production and transportation challenges due to COVID slowdowns, labor shortages, and other supply chain disruptions have also impacted Cracker Barrel‘s ability to consistently meet biscuit demand.

Fortunately, Angle tells me Cracker Barrel has plans to expand biscuit production capacity in 2024 to help ensure more reliable supply going forward.

## Cracker Barrel‘s New Menu Options

While biscuits remain a staple, Cracker Barrel has expanded and updated their menu over the years to offer more variety. The goal is to provide healthier and more contemporary options while maintaining the core country cooking the chain is known for.

Some new menu categories and items you may spot at Cracker Barrel include:

- Lower calorie/high protein entrees
- More vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes
- Organic drinks and teas
- Fresh juice bar
- Build-your-own omelettes

Jed Davis, Restaurant Business Magazine editor, observes:

> "Cracker Barrel is responding to consumer demand for more diversity and transparency when it comes to ingredients and nutrition. While staying true to their classic comfort food roots, they are focused on innovation to enhance the menu."

So beyond biscuits, there are now even more healthy, creative options to satisfy every appetite when dining at Cracker Barrel.

## Cracker Barrel Fun Facts

Beyond biscuits, here are some fun facts I unearthed about this beloved restaurant chain:

- There are over 650 Cracker Barrel locations in 44 states, though still none yet in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, or Wyoming.
- The chain was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins. The first store is still operating in Lebanon, TN.
- Cracker Barrel stores are decorated with **over 4 million** real antiques and memorabilia items, most from the early 1900s. This creates a vintage country store aesthetic.
- All locations are near highway exits to attract road trippers. But why intersections specifically? Increased visibility!
- The name Cracker Barrel was chosen to represent the hospitality and nostalgia of a traditional Southern country store – not because they actually stored crackers in barrels!

### Cracker Barrel Numbers – By The Years

| Year | # of Stores |
| --- | --- |
| 1969 | 1 |
| 1978 | 58 |
| 1989 | 196 |
| 2000 | 387 |
| 2020 | 664 |

## The Future of Cracker Barrel Biscuits

Cracker Barrel plans to introduce new biscuit flavors and varieties periodically to keep this staple menu item fresh and exciting. Some possibilities in development include:

- Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits
- Roasted Garlic & Herb Biscuits
- Sweet Orange & Cranberry Biscuits
- Pretzel Biscuits

No matter what new flavors they dream up, warm, comforting, homemade biscuits will always have a place on Cracker Barrel‘s menu. Because as Randy Angle says:

> "Our guests have loved our biscuits for over 50 years. They evoke happy memories of Grandma‘s kitchen, weekend breakfasts, and time with family. We‘ll continue baking this cherished southern staple to spread joy through every flakey, buttery bite!"

## The Takeaway

Cracker Barrel remains dedicated to serving its signature warm, freshly-baked biscuits, a staple on their menu for over 50 years. Though temporary shortages have occurred, expanded production capacity will help this staple remain available. Beyond biscuits, new menu additions give diners even more crave-worthy choices. But the familiar comfort of their famous southern-style biscuits will always be central to the Cracker Barrel experience.

So next time you stop into a Cracker Barrel, be sure to take a big whiff when you walk in the door. That mouthwatering biscuit aroma lets you know you‘ve arrived! I hope you‘ve enjoyed discovering the rich history and fun facts around this iconic Cracker Barrel menu item.

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