Cracker Barrel Old Country Store logo

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(CBRL)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
5-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$55.76
10/02/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CBRL

10/02/2026: CBRL (5-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Cracker Barrel is a long-standing operator of combined restaurant and retail stores, recognized for its homestyle meals and gift shops. The company benefits from a distinct, nostalgic brand identity and deep customer loyalty, which historically supported consistent dividend distributions. Its primary growth opportunity lies in revitalizing the core brand and expanding its fast-casual Maple Street Biscuit concept. However, the business faces significant challenges including an aging demographic, high labor costs, and intense competition from more agile dining alternatives. For investors, the company represents a mature income-oriented stock, requiring careful monitoring of operational efficiency and the success of ongoing brand modernization initiatives.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorWeak fitThe company is in a mature phase with limited high-growth prospects.
Momentum investorWeak fitCurrent trends do not strongly support a momentum-based narrative.
Value investorMixed fitValuation levels may appear attractive to some, but growth concerns persist.
Dividend investorStrong fitHistorically consistent dividend distributions make it relevant for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorMixed fitThe company faces market volatility and operational headwinds typical of the restaurant sector.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highRestaurant stocks can fluctuate significantly based on consumer confidence and commodity costs.
Valuation riskMediumCurrent market pricing reflects cautious expectations regarding future growth.
Competition risk (Family Dining)HighIntense rivalry from fast-casual and quick-service chains pressures market share.
Business qualityMediumThe unique, integrated business model provides a competitive moat, though execution is critical.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are subject to the company's ability to maintain cash flow in a difficult operating environment.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessful implementation of turnaround and modernization strategies is vital for long-term viability.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 79.81%
Avg. Invested days 53
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 4.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/02/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CBRL receives a 3-star rating based on the available scored pillars. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CBRL has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-31.7%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 2.7%), slightly negative revenue growth (-4.7%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CBRL's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (2.7% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is CBRL's strongest growth driver at +52.1% FY2026 versus FY2025 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-4.7%, slightly negative) and earnings growth (-31.7%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 106.4% and approximately 91.6% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.51% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 15.90%
D. E. Shaw & Co LP 6.43%
American Century Companies Inc 4.71%
Allianz Asset Management AG 4.66%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.43%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CBRL generates approximately $63 of gross profit, $-0 of operating income, and $27 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Operating losses explain the 1-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: -53.96% (Tax Credit)

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CBRL has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedSmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 1.16B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 37.75
1Y Target Price 50.71
Price to earnings Ratio 37.75
1Y Target Price 50.71
Volume (30-day avg) 1.0M shares
Beta 1.18
52 Weeks Range 24.35 - 60.26
Updated Date 10/02/2026
52 Weeks Range 24.35 - 60.26
Updated Date 10/02/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.90%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.37

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Restaurant SalesRevenue from food and beverage sales at Cracker Barrel locations.This is the primary revenue driver, tied directly to customer foot traffic.
Retail SalesRevenue from the sale of gift shop items such as apparel and home decor.This segment leverages the high foot traffic of the restaurants to provide supplemental income.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-09-23
When Before Market
Estimate 0.2
Actual 0.99

Profitability

Profit Margin 0.95%
Operating Margin (TTM) 2.37%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) -0.05%
Return on Equity (TTM) 6.74%

Valuation

Trailing PE 37.75
Forward PE 48.54
Enterprise Value 2.01B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.35
Enterprise Value 2.01B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.35
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.61
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.38
Shares Outstanding 22.35M
Shares Floating 20.48M
Shares Outstanding 22.35M
Shares Floating 20.48M
Percent Insiders 1.51
Percent Institutions 106.45

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Lebanon, TN, United States
IPO Launch date 1984-09-07
President, CEO & Director Mr. David J. Deno
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Full time employees 74500
Full time employees 74500

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. engages in the development and operation of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store concept in the United States. The Cracker Barrel stores consist of restaurants with a gift shop. Its restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as dine-in, pick-up, and delivery services. The company gift shops offer various decorative and functional items, such as rocking chairs, seasonal gifts, apparel, toys, food, cookware, and various other gift items, as well as various candies, preserves, and other food items. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee.