Cracker Barrel

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At issue

In 1991, in response to a customer complaint, Cracker Barrel fired several gay staffers. The Tennessee-based chain of 165 restaurants later stated that it wouldn’t employ people “whose sexual preferences fail to demonstrate normal heterosexual values.” (Hey, they don’t call it Cracker Barrel for nothing.)

Impact

Vocal on-site protests have brought a lot of negative publicity, but some reports have it that more people are actually patronizing CB in support of its anti-gay policies. Although the policy is not illegal–gays and lesbians aren’t protected from discrimination by any federal law–CB declined to comment.

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