Friday is National Pancake Day, and Cracker Barrel is celebrating by serving up its famous stacks all day long, with $5 all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes.
The chain describes its flapjacks as having “crisp edges and irresistibly fluffy texture” and being “mixed fresh every morning and griddled to order.” Cracker Barrel calls it “a recipe rooted in tradition — and perfected over time,” adding, “guests across generations have come to crave them, with many even declaring them ‘the world’s best pancakes,’” said a release from the brand shared with USA Today.
Loyalty members get first dibs on the deal starting Sept. 25. Regular diners can dig in on Friday, when the offer officially launches. Cracker Barrel says each order starts with three pancakes topped with butter and syrup; refills come with two more — though the exact portions may vary by location.
On Instagram, the company encouraged customers to “get your forks ready.”
Cracker Barrel’s free pancakes won’t end on Friday
For those who can’t take advantage of the “pancake bliss this week,” Cracker Barrel says it “is embracing its role as the unofficial sponsor of the Pancake Block — that legendary football move where a defender gets flattened like a flapjack.”
“To celebrate, Cracker Barrel has teamed up with Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson, and throughout October, fans who wear their favorite team’s jersey or bring in a valid same-day ticket stub for a big game can score a free side of pancakes with any entrée purchase,” the company said, according to USA Today.
A side of business challenges
The pancake push comes as Cracker Barrel works to rebuild customer trust after backlash to announced remodels and a logo change. The company recently reverted to its classic “Old Timer” logo and pressed pause on design updates.
In a recent investment report, the company noted that traffic has taken a hit since August, with visits down about 1% in early August and 8% after the logo announcement, CFO Craig Pemmelis said on a Sept. 17 earnings call, per USA Today. The brand now projects a further decline of up to 8% if trends continue.
Despite recent slower traffic, the company reported quarterly revenue of $868 million, up 4.4%, marking five consecutive quarters of comparable store sales growth.
President and CEO Julie Masino told investors the company is doubling down on the dining experience:
“We thank our guests for sharing their voices and their passion for Cracker Barrel in recent weeks, and we’ve listened, switching back to our ‘Old Timer’ logo, hitting pause on remodels, and placing an even bigger emphasis in the kitchen and other areas that enhance the guest experience.”
She added, “Looking ahead, there is much to be optimistic about, and our teams are focused on getting back to the momentum we created last fiscal year.”
Other National Pancake Day deals in Utah
A day so sweet it’s celebrated twice, Sept. 26 marks the second National Pancake Day of the year, following the first celebration on March 4. While many restaurants offered deals earlier, a few tasty promotions are still up for grabs:
- Corner Bakery Café is offering any pancake — from classic buttermilk to its indulgent specialty flavors, for $4.99.
- Macey’s Store is offering a discount on Food Club syrup and pancake mix Sept. 24-26
- Perkins Restaurant and Bakery is giving away free small stacks of pancakes with any purchase if you wear your pajamas. The chain is also running an Instagram giveaway to sweeten the deal.