Cracker Barrel Spreads Holiday Cheer with Free Toys for Kids and Festive Offers for Families

Rhea-AI Summary

Cracker Barrel (NYSE:CBRL) is offering holiday promotions beginning Dec 10, 2025: a free toy (up to $5) with every dine‑in kid's meal through Dec 24, 2025, weekday Meals for Two starting at $19.99 (Mon–Fri, all day) and Holiday Heat & Serve fully prepared meals available for pre‑order for pickup Dec 21–28 at nearly 660 stores nationwide. Heat & Serve options include ham and prime rib family dinners and seasonal pies. Terms apply for dine‑in only offers, toy value limits, and availability.

Key Figures

Free toy value cap $5 Toy value limit per dine-in kid's meal through Dec 24, 2025

Meals for Two price $19.99 Starting price for weekday Meals for Two offer

Soup & salad add-on $5 Cost per person to add soup and salad to Meals for Two

Ham Feast size 8–10 people Serving size for Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Feast

Ham Family Dinner size 4–6 people Serving size for Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Family Dinner

Prime Rib Dinner size 4–6 people Serving size for Prime Rib Heat & Serve Family Dinner

Store count nearly 660 stores Pickup locations for Holiday Heat & Serve meals

Pickup window Dec 21–28 Dates for pickup of Holiday Heat & Serve pre-orders

Market Reality Check

$27.95 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,789,413 is 2.52x the 20-day average, indicating elevated pre-news interest. high

Technical Shares at $27.00 are trading below the $47.60 200-day moving average and far under the $71.93 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Peers showed mixed moves with no clear sector trend: for example, SG rose 6.81% while FWRG fell 2.35%, suggesting CBRL’s action was more stock-specific.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 09	Earnings and outlook	Negative	+1.4%	Q1 FY26 loss, lower EBITDA guidance, but shares rose modestly.
Nov 25	Earnings call notice	Neutral	+7.6%	Announcement of upcoming Q1 FY26 results and conference call.
Nov 21	Activist commentary	Negative	+4.3%	Biglari Capital highlighted shareholder opposition to CEO and leadership.
Nov 20	Shareholder meeting	Positive	-5.5%	Shareholders backed 9 of 10 directors and governance amendments.
Nov 14	Proxy advisor report	Negative	-4.8%	Egan-Jones withhold recommendation citing long-term underperformance.

Pattern Detected

Recent news reactions show more divergences than alignments, especially around governance and activist developments.

Recent Company History

Over the last month, Cracker Barrel has navigated weak Q1 FY26 results, governance tension, and an activist campaign, yet shares sometimes rose on negative headlines. Earnings on Dec 9 showed revenue of $797.2M and a GAAP net loss, alongside lowered EBITDA guidance, but the stock still gained. Proxy-advisor criticism on Nov 14 and activist commentary on Nov 21 highlighted underperformance and strategic pressure. The current holiday promotion news follows this period of operational and governance scrutiny.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights seasonal promotions, including free toys with kid’s meals, weekday value-focused Meals for Two starting at $19.99, and ready-to-heat holiday meal bundles serving up to 8–10 people. Against a backdrop of recent earnings pressure and governance scrutiny, these offers aim to attract traffic across Cracker Barrel’s nearly 660 locations. Investors may watch guest traffic trends, average check, and holiday catering uptake to assess whether such promotions support broader strategic and financial objectives.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Enjoy a side of joy and a free toy – up to $5 in value – with every kid's meal for dine-in now through December 24  

LEBANON, Tenn., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is inviting families, travelers and holiday guests to celebrate the most magical time of the year with special offerings that bring comfort and joy to every visit. From a free toy* from the Old Country Store with every kid's meal and hearty weekday value deals to Holiday Heat & Serve meals that make hosting celebrations at home easy and delicious, Cracker Barrel is serving up tradition and a little holiday magic at every turn.

"The holidays are a time to slow down, come together, and savor the simple moments that make this season special," said Sarah Moore, Chief Marketing Officer for Cracker Barrel. "Whether guests are gathering around our tables or theirs, Cracker Barrel is here to bring comfort, tradition, and a little extra magic to every holiday celebration."

A Little Something from the Old Country Store
Now through December 24, every delicious, homestyle dine-in kid's meal comes with a free toy (valued at $5 or less) from Cracker Barrel's Old Country Store. Families can choose from a wide selection of travel games, trading cards and more – perfect for keeping little ones entertained during holiday travels.

"Santa has his sleigh, and Cracker Barrel has the Old Country Store," Moore said. "With so much on families' plates at this time of year, we wanted to offer a small moment of joy that makes the season feel easier and full of cheer."

Find something while browsing the Old Country Store that costs more than $5? No problem. Enjoy a $5 discount and simply pay the difference.

Hearty Weekday Value for Busy Holiday Schedules with Meals for Two
Cracker Barrel is helping guests enjoy homestyle comfort during the busy holiday season with its Meals for Two offer. Available all-day Monday through Friday, this special provides exceptional value and includes a choice of a shareable starter or dessert and two full-sized entrées starting at $19.99**. Guests can also add a cup of soup and a house salad for just $5*** per person.

Simple to Prepare, Easy to Enjoy Holiday Heat & Serve Meals
Fully prepared and ready in three hours or less, Cracker Barrel's Holiday Heat & Serve meals are designed to take the stress out of hosting while giving back precious time to enjoy the moments that matter most. Perfect for family gatherings, office celebrations and last-minute hosting, Cracker Barrel's lineup of at-home meal solutions include:

• Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Feast – A full, ready-to-heat meal featuring a whole sugar-cured ham, cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, apple streusel pie, and a pecan pie. Serves 8 - 10 people.
• Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Family Dinner – A ready-to-heat meal serving 4-6 people featuring sugar-cured ham with mac & cheese, green beans, rolls, dressing, gravy, and cranberry relish.
• Prime Rib Heat & Serve Family Dinner – A premium option featuring a slow-roasted prime rib with au jus, served with creamy horseradish sauce and classic sides. Serves 4 - 6 people.
• Holiday Pies – A selection of seasonal favorites available in Apple Streusel, Pecan, Chocolate Pecan, and Cinnamon Roll.

"At Cracker Barrel, the holiday table has always been where tradition and connection come to life," Moore continued. "We know the season is joyful yet hectic so we're making it easier than ever to gather with those who matter most. Because when people share food, they share something bigger: time together."

Holiday Heat & Serve pre-order is available now on Cracker Barrel's website for pickup between December 21 - 28 at one of Cracker Barrel's nearly 660 stores nationwide.

To stay connected with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store throughout December and beyond, follow along on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

*One free kid's toy item (up to $5), exclusive of taxes, with in store purchase of one Kid's Meal made 12/10/25 to 12/24/25, excl. online and to go purchases. For a kid's toy item with retail price of $5+, a $5 discount will be applied pro rata across all items on check. Not valid on previous purchases or in combination with other offers or discounts. Subject to availability. Limits and restrictions apply. Void where prohibited by law.

**Meals for Two offer valid thru 2/5/26, exclusive of taxes. Dine in only. Not available for takeaways, carryout, to-go, delivery and online purchases. Subject to availability. May not redeem pegs toward the purchase and not valid with any other discounts or promotions. Offer subject to modification/withdrawal without notice

*** Soup and salad offer valid with Meals for Two purchase. In-store only. Excludes taxes. Valid for 1 cup of soup and 1 side salad. May not mix and match - Not valid for 2 cups of soup or 2 side salads. Soups vary by location.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. - rooted in a rich legacy of warmth, generosity, and tradition - is on a mission to bring the goodness of country hospitality to life. Since 1969, when the first store opened in Lebanon, Tenn., Cracker Barrel has been serving up abundant portions of craveable homestyle food and offering one-of-a-kind retail finds. With approximately 660 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations in 43 states, and ownership of the fast-casual Maple Street Biscuit Company, the brand continues to honor its heritage while welcoming everyone with more than a meal. For more information, visit CrackerBarrel.com.

Media Contact:
Media Relations
media.relations@crackerbarrel.com

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SOURCE Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

FAQ

What are the dates for Cracker Barrel's free toy with kid's meal promotion (CBRL)?

The free toy (up to $5) is included with every dine‑in kid's meal from Dec 10, 2025 to Dec 24, 2025.

What is included in Cracker Barrel's Meals for Two offer and the price (CBRL)?

Meals for Two are available Monday–Friday all day, include a shared starter or dessert plus two full entrées, starting at $19.99.

When can I pre‑order Cracker Barrel Holiday Heat & Serve meals for pickup (CBRL)?

Holiday Heat & Serve pre‑orders are available now for pickup between Dec 21 and Dec 28, 2025 at nearly 660 stores.

What family Heat & Serve options does Cracker Barrel offer (CBRL)?

Options include Holiday Ham Feast (serves 8–10), Ham Family Dinner (serves 4–6), Prime Rib Family Dinner (serves 4–6), and seasonal pies.

Is the free toy offer available for takeout or online orders (CBRL)?

No, the free toy is only with in‑store dine‑in kid's meal purchases and excludes online and to‑go orders.

What happens if a toy costs more than $5 under Cracker Barrel's promotion (CBRL)?

If a selected item costs more than $5, a $5 discount applies and the customer pays the price difference.