Popular Restaurant Chain, Cracker Barrel, is closing nearly all of its locations in Oregon.
Cracker Barrel, the popular restaurant chain with a Southern country theme, has decided to close nearly all of its locations in Oregon. The company announced on Monday that it will permanently shut down its restaurants in Beaverton, Tualatin and Bend, effective immediately.
The closures come after Cracker Barrel closed its restaurant on Hayden Island last August, citing unspecified evaluation criteria. The only remaining Cracker Barrel location in Oregon is in Medford, about a 4.5-hour drive from Portland.
Why is Cracker Barrel closing restaurants in Oregon?
Cracker Barrel said it is closing the restaurants because of the impact of the pandemic on its business. The company said it was unable to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 and had to make the difficult decision to close some of its stores.
“We are saddened that we have been unable to overcome the impact the pandemic had on our business and have made the difficult decision to close the Beaverton, Tualatin and Bend locations,” a Cracker Barrel spokesperson said. "The decision to close a store is never one we take lightly, and our focus right now is on assisting our impacted employees during this transition."
How are employees and customers reacting to Cracker Barrel’s closures?
The closures will affect hundreds of employees who worked at the three restaurants. Cracker Barrel said it will provide them with severance pay and assistance with finding new jobs.
Some customers expressed disappointment and sadness over losing their favorite restaurants. Others said they understood Cracker Barrel’s decision and wished them well.
What Are Your Thoughts?
What do you think about Cracker Barrel’s closures in Oregon? How do you feel about the pandemic’s impact on restaurants and businesses? Do you dine at Cracker Barrel or other similar chains?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!