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Home Front: Culture Wars

Cracker Barrel: Oops! We're Putting Duck Dynasty Products Back On Our Shelves!

2013-12-23

[Forbes] I think we can safely call Cracker Barrel's response to the Phil Robertson scandal a clusterduck.

For those sensible souls not following the saga as closely as I am: the Southern restaurant chain became the first major retailer to pull some Duck Dynasty products off its shelves on Saturday in response to cast member Robertson's now-notorious anti-gay GQ interview.

Cue a barrage of tweets, emails, and calls from Duck Dynasty fans to the powers that be at Cracker Barrel, not to mention threats of a boycott.

I wonder if there wasn't also a significant number of people who are just fed up with political-correctness' fascism?

Now, a day later, the 625-outlet comfort food chain has capitulated and will resume selling Duck Dynasty products. Here's their statement, dated Sunday:

Dear Cracker Barrel Customer:

When we made the decision to remove and evaluate certain Duck Dynasty items, we offended many of our loyal customers. Our intent was to avoid offending, but that's just what we've done.

You told us we made a mistake. And, you weren't shy about it. You wrote, you called and you took to social media to express your thoughts and feelings. You flat out told us we were wrong.

We listened.

Today, we are putting all our Duck Dynasty products back in our stores.

And, we apologize for offending you.

We respect all individuals [sic] right to express their beliefs. We certainly did not mean to have anyone think different [sic].

We sincerely hope you will continue to be part of our Cracker Barrel family.

Posted by:Fred

#21 I'm just a little tired of hearing about it is all. They got a whole week's worth or stories about an offhand comment and I thought it was tiresome from the git go.

The perpetually-offended with lawyers at the ready don't get tired of it.

Posted by: Pappy 2013-12-23 21:43

#20 This isn't about just the duck man. It is about the big picture. Chick-fil-a, Hobby Lobby, airforce career types suddenly being dishonorably discharged because of their faith by the Glaad types in command, memorial crosses.

There is no changing channels anymore.

And when they finish off the Christian faith, next they came for... . And finally there was no one left to stand up for you.

Posted by: Threreling Munster6125 2013-12-23 21:33

#19 BC is way too close to Seattle for comfort
Yeah, so if a sanity check is in order, for me it's easier to go North than South. BC ain't bad, but they laugh at our water that we call beer, eh?

Posted by: USN, Ret. 2013-12-23 19:01

#18 I agree with what Abu Uluque said.
And I don't wear neckties, Garcia or Duck. My brain needs all the blood flow it can get.
And Thing, BC is way too close to Seattle for comfort.

Posted by: Glenmore 2013-12-23 18:22

#17 Ship, the guys from Nova Scotia are ok, it's the Newfies you have to watch out for. Them and the chicks from British Columbia.

Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2013-12-23 15:38

#16 Oh mercy TW, I want both.

Posted by: Shipman 2013-12-23 15:26

#15 Passing respectfully on Jerry and the Ducks TW. It's the extra long in either blue or green regimental for me. Matching boxers, a nice tough also.

Posted by: Besoeker 2013-12-23 15:20

#14 I noticed today that JC Penney has Duck Dynasty ties on display next to the latest Jerry Garcias. In case anyone is in need if a last minute gift in either direction.

Posted by: trailing wife 2013-12-23 15:15

#13 This is what free speech is. The duck man says what he wants. If A&E doesn't like it they are free to cancel his show. If I don't like that I'm free not to watch A&E. If CB doesn't like the duck man's comments they are free to pull duck merchandise from their shelves. If CB customers don't like that they are free to take their business elsewhere. That's freedom. Same thing with Martin Bashir, Alec Baldwin and MSLSD. Same with David Letterman and his jokes about the Palin girls. I never watch him anymore. Same with the Dixie Chicks. Say whatever you want. Carry or cancel whatever shows you want on your cable channel. Stock whatever products you want on your shelves or pull them off of your shelves.

I'm just a little tired of hearing about it is all. They got a whole week's worth or stories about an offhand comment and I thought it was tiresome from the git go.

Posted by: Abu Uluque 2013-12-23 14:19

#12 Cool, as long as you own the company. Of course if you don't own the company you might find difficulties.

Also would you hire an Nova Scotian? I am very wary of them, for reasons best kept to myself. Not fond of most out islanders actually, they make me tense. They smell funny and their food sucks. Don't get me started out them Stavanger types.

Well, of course I would have to own the company! Goes without saying now, doesn't it?

Novies? Well...you have to make that decision on a case by case basis. The Newfies on the other hand. I give them a wide berth. The food does suck, but, you get accustomed the the "Islander" smell by and by.

Stavanger types? No, I won't get you started about them. Never!

Posted by: Gerthudion Clunk1806 2013-12-23 14:08

#11 Cracker Barrel is waffling on the Duck Dynasty kerfuffle? Cracker Barrel was boycotted by the gays as far back as the early 90's over alleged discrimination in the workplace and in hiring. This may have been like the boycott of Chick-Fil-A. It resulted in a counter-protest and Chick-Fil-A ended up doing very well by the counter-protest. Business increased considerably.

Posted by: JohnQC 2013-12-23 14:08

#10 Purely business, this decision would be up there with Ford's CEO openly dumping on the Mustang. If I had any financial interest I would dump it like last night's turned dinner. In fact, probably too late.

And for the record, his statement was not anti-gay - he was asked a question and gave an answer, and not really too craste for an outdoorsman, that is to say he didn't go out of his way to force his opinions onto people.

Like what GLAAD and CBRL tried to do. And for CBRL to get something so wrong, I would have to wonder how much else they are getting wrong. Not interested in being part of that family. All they had to do was nothing, and instead they did the exact opposite. The food is mediocre at best, what they offer is ambiance, an hour to escape from the road trip. You basically walk into a gift shop to await seating. That gift shop, by virtue of its products, help set the mood just like a chianti bottle with a candle would in an Italian Restaurant. Now if people decide to spend their money there on a little relaxation they will be forced to consider this topic, which detracts from the experience.

Like I said, dump the stock by last week.

Posted by: swksvolFF 2013-12-23 12:53

#9 It seems way too many people out there are Anti-Phil. Philophobes.

It would almost make one want to use the pseudonym "Phil from Louisiana."

Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2013-12-23 12:13

#8 I forget where I saw it but the reference to the anti-Phil people as the 'Gaystapo' was spot-on.

Posted by: Glenmore 2013-12-23 12:06

#7 This might have something to do with their response:

During the 1990s, the company was the subject of controversy for its official stance against gay and 1esbian employees and for discriminatory practices against African American and female employees. The company's treatment of minority customers was also criticized; patrons complained of racially segregated seating and service quality. Following an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the implementation of non-discrimination policies, the company has focused on improving minority representation and civic involvement, particularly in the black community. Company shareholders added sexual orientation to the company's non-discrimination policy in 2002.

Frankly, I don't give a damn who runs corporate and its restaurants or serves my food, as long as they don't do knee-jerk responses that alienate their supposed target-customer base. That's what they did this time; it makes them look like frauds and poseurs.

Posted by: Pappy 2013-12-23 10:40

#6 Cool, as long as you own the company. Of course if you don't own the company you might find difficulties.

Also would you hire an Nova Scotian? I am very wary of them, for reasons best kept to myself. Not fond of most out islanders actually, they make me tense. They smell funny and their food sucks. Don't get me started out them Stavanger types.

Posted by: Shipman 2013-12-23 09:45

#5 CB, like most corporations is infested with college educated , liberal and PC dipwads.

Particularly in HR, Marketing and Corporate Communications. Sometimes the adults have to step in and smack the children.

Personally, I would never hire a liberal or an out homosexual.

Posted by: Gerthudion Clunk1806 2013-12-23 09:06

#4 Breakfast at CB is...just okay. Their buckwheat pancakes are always tough, and the syrup is a bit too runny for my tastes.

The rest of their fare, I'll skip it.

Posted by: George tse Tung3263 2013-12-23 09:03

#3 Someone has a fatal misunderstanding of their customer base and needs replacement for the overall long term good of the company before they have another opportunity to mortally wound it with a second 'brilliant' piece of PR.

Posted by: P2kontheroad 2013-12-23 08:32

#2 They have a good Biscuit and Gravy with fine Coffee. Its just off the Freeway heading through Atlanta for Florida. A welcome break in your driving. I hate whiny Liberals and PC fairy wanks, they can do their breakfast eat at a Gay bar...and enjoy some warm sausage and two big eggs.

Then they can go back up to New York and squat. I like the Duck family. And I like values that stand up and say it out loud.
Its IS time someone told the fudgepackers where to go.

Posted by: Spereting Tingle4064 2013-12-23 07:08

#1 A little upscale for me, but I'll go for a breakfast visit. What do the habitues recommend? I am looking at the double meat breakfast, which looks ER inducing. Maybe with a side of steak.

Posted by: Shipman 2013-12-23 05:23

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