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Litigation win lifts Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL) Q3 2026 profit

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store reported fiscal 2026 third quarter revenue of $797.4M, down from $821.1M, as both restaurant and retail sales softened. Despite lower sales, GAAP net income rose to $42.8M from $12.6M, helped by about $47.4M of litigation settlement income.

Excluding this and other special items, adjusted net income fell to $6.5M from $13.1M, and adjusted EBITDA declined to $40.3M from $48.1M, with adjusted EBITDA margin easing to 5.1%. For the first nine months, revenue dropped to $2.47B from $2.62B and net income declined to $19.5M from $39.6M. The company nevertheless increased its fiscal 2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance, citing progress on operational and profitability initiatives.

Positive

  • GAAP profitability boosted by settlement: Q3 2026 GAAP net income rose to $42.8M (EPS $1.90) from $12.6M (EPS $0.56), helped by approximately $47.4M of litigation settlement income.
  • Guidance raised: The company increased its fiscal 2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance, indicating higher expectations for full‑year performance despite recent revenue declines.

Negative

  • Underlying earnings deterioration: Q3 adjusted net income fell to $6.5M from $13.1M and adjusted EBITDA declined to $40.3M from $48.1M, with margin narrowing to 5.1% from 5.9%.
  • Top‑line and year‑to‑date weakness: Revenue decreased 3% in Q3 and 6% for the first nine months, while nine‑month GAAP net income dropped 51% to $19.5M from $39.6M.

Insights

Revenue is slipping and core profitability is weaker, despite a one-time legal windfall.

Cracker Barrel posted Q3 revenue of $797.4M, down 3%, and nine‑month revenue of $2.47B, down 6%. A litigation settlement of about $47.4M drove GAAP net income sharply higher to $42.8M and Q3 EPS of $1.90, masking pressure in the underlying business.

On a non‑GAAP basis, adjusted net income roughly halved to $6.5M, and adjusted EBITDA slipped to $40.3M from $48.1M, with margin narrowing to 5.1%. For the first nine months, adjusted EBITDA dropped to $85.7M from $168.6M, highlighting weaker ongoing earnings power.

Management nonetheless raised full‑year revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance and emphasized traction from initiatives to improve operations and guest engagement. Investors evaluating fiscal 2026 will likely focus on whether these efforts can stabilize traffic and margins as detailed in future quarterly results.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Q3 2026 revenue $797.4M Total revenue for third quarter fiscal 2026 vs $821.1M prior year
Q3 2026 GAAP net income $42.8M Net income for third quarter 2026 vs $12.6M prior year
Q3 2026 diluted EPS $1.90/share GAAP diluted earnings per share vs $0.56 a year earlier
Q3 2026 adjusted EBITDA $40.3M Adjusted EBITDA vs $48.1M in third quarter 2025
Litigation settlement income $47.4M Litigation settlement benefit recorded in Q3 fiscal 2026
Nine‑month 2026 revenue $2.47B Revenue for first nine months 2026 vs $2.62B prior year
Nine‑month 2026 GAAP net income $19.5M Net income for first nine months 2026 vs $39.6M prior year
Q3 2026 adjusted EPS diluted $0.29/share Adjusted diluted earnings per share vs $0.58 in Q3 2025
adjusted EBITDA financial
"Company increases revenue and adjusted EBITDA1,2 guidance"
Adjusted EBITDA is a way companies measure how much money they make from their core operations, like running a business, by removing certain costs or income that aren’t part of regular business activities. It helps investors see how well a company is doing without distractions from unusual expenses or gains, making it easier to compare companies or track performance over time.
litigation settlement income financial
"Litigation settlement income | | | (47,422 | )"
non-GAAP financial measures financial
"EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted earnings per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures."
Non-GAAP financial measures are numbers companies use to show their financial performance that exclude certain expenses or income. They help investors see how the company might perform without one-time costs or other unusual items, giving a different perspective from official reports. However, since they can be adjusted, they don’t always tell the full story and should be looked at alongside standard financial figures.
proxy contest expenses financial
"expenses related to the proxy contest in connection with the Company’s 2024 and 2025 annual meeting of shareholders"
corporate restructuring charge financial
"a corporate restructuring charge that includes consulting fees related to business model improvement and severance"
consolidated senior leverage financial
"Consolidated senior leverage is defined as total debt (other than subordinated debt and unsecured debt) divided by adjusted EBITDA1"
Consolidated senior leverage is a ratio that compares the total amount of a company’s highest-priority (senior) debt across the whole corporate group to its recurring operating earnings, typically measured as EBITDA. It tells investors how many years of current operating earnings would be required to repay that senior debt and so signals credit risk, borrowing capacity and financial flexibility — like comparing a household’s mortgage balance to its annual income.
Revenue $797.4M -3% YoY
GAAP net income $42.8M +240% YoY
Diluted EPS $1.90 +239% YoY
Adjusted net income $6.5M vs $13.1M prior year
Adjusted EBITDA $40.3M vs $48.1M prior year
Guidance

Company increased fiscal 2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance.

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false 0001067294 0001067294 2026-06-09 2026-06-09 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): June 9, 2026

 

 

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Tennessee   001-25225   62-0812904

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation) 

  (Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.) 

         

305 Hartmann Drive, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code)

 

(615) 444-5533

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which
registered

Common Stock (Par Value $0.01)
Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock (Par Value $0.01)

  CBRL   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On June 9, 2026, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the Company’s fiscal 2026 third quarter results of operations and projected outlook of certain items for fiscal year 2026. A copy of the Press Release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.
     
    Exhibit No. Description
     
    99.1 Press Release issued by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. dated June 9, 2026
       
    104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: June 9, 2026

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Jennifer Lankford
  Name: Jennifer Lankford
  Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Investor Contact: Adam Hanan
(615) 443-9887
   
Media Contact: Heidi Pearce
(615) 235-4135

 

CRACKER BARREL REPORTS THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2026 RESULTS AND UPDATES FISCAL 2026 OUTLOOK

 

Company increases revenue and adjusted EBITDA1,2 guidance

 

LEBANON, Tenn. June 9, 2026 – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (“Cracker Barrel” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CBRL) today reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 ended May 1, 2026.

 

Cracker Barrel President and Chief Executive Officer Julie Masino said, “Our initiatives to improve operations, deepen guest connection, and enhance profitability continue to gain traction, with strong execution from our teams driving third quarter results that exceeded expectations. We remain focused on serving delicious food and delivering experiences guests love and believe we are well-positioned to sustain this new momentum.”

 

Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Highlights

 

·Total revenue was $797.4 million. Compared to the prior year quarter, total revenue decreased 2.9%.

 

oCompared to the prior year quarter, comparable store restaurant sales decreased 2.6%, and comparable store retail sales decreased 1.8%.

 

·GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.90, and adjusted1 earnings per diluted share were $0.29.

 

·GAAP net income was $42.8 million compared to the prior year quarter GAAP net income of $12.6 million. The current year GAAP net income results include a $47.4 million benefit related to a settlement agreement regarding interchange fee litigation.

 

·Adjusted EBITDA1 was $40.3 million compared to the prior year quarter adjusted EBITDA1 of $48.1 million.

 

   Third Quarter Ended 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)  5/1/26   5/2/25 
Revenue  $797,367   $821,147 
GAAP net income  $42,811   $12,574 
Adjusted net income1   $6,533   $13,123 
Adjusted EBITDA1  $40,305   $48,117 
GAAP earnings per share – diluted  $1.90   $0.56 
Adjusted1 earnings per share – diluted  $0.29   $0.58 

 

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Balance Sheet & Capital Allocation

 

·During the third quarter, the Company received $47.4 million, net of legal fees, pursuant to a settlement agreement resolving interchange fee litigation. This amount is recorded in the litigation settlement income line on the Consolidated Income Statement.

 

·The Company ended the third quarter with total debt of $486.6 million, comprised of $149.9 million of short-term debt related to its 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2026 and $336.8 million of long-term debt related to its 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030, with no outstanding borrowings on its credit facility.

 

·The Company intends to pay the $149.9 million of short-term debt related to its 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes by its maturity in June 2026 by drawing on its existing revolving credit facility. At the end of the third quarter, the Company had approximately $541.3 million in available capacity under its credit facility.

 

·The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share of the Company’s common stock. The quarterly dividend is payable on August 12, 2026 to shareholders of record as of July 17, 2026.

 

Fiscal 2026 Outlook

 

The Company provided the following updated outlook for fiscal 2026:

 

·Total revenue of $3.27 billion to $3.30 billion (vs. previous outlook of $3.24 billion to $3.27 billion)

 

·Adjusted EBITDA1 of $120 million to $125 million2 (vs. previous outlook of $85 million to $100 million2)

 

·Commodity inflation in the low 2% range (vs. previous outlook of 2.0% to 2.5%)

 

·Hourly wage inflation in the low 2% range (vs. previous outlook of 2.5% to 3.0%)

 

·Capital expenditures of $105 million to $115 million (no change vs. previous outlook)

 

·2 new Cracker Barrel stores, both of which have opened (no change vs. previous outlook)

 

1 EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted earnings per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures. For definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, please refer to the Reconciliation of GAAP-Basis Operating Results to Non-GAAP Operating Results section of this release.

 

2 The Company has determined to provide guidance focused on adjusted EBITDA1 because the Company believes it will be more useful to investors to evaluate the Company’s performance prior to the impact of depreciation, taxes, impairment charges, and other items that management believes are not reflective of the Company’s current operations. The Company is not able to reconcile the forward-looking estimate of adjusted EBITDA1 set forth above to a forward-looking estimate of net income, the most directly comparable estimated measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, without unreasonable efforts because the Company is unable to predict, forecast or determine the probable significance of certain items impacting these estimates, including interest expense, taxes, impairment charges and share-based compensation, with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Accordingly, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP estimate is not provided.

 

3 Consolidated senior leverage is defined as total debt (other than subordinated debt and unsecured debt) divided by adjusted EBITDA1 (as defined under our revolving credit facility).

 

Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Conference Call

 

As previously announced, the live broadcast of Cracker Barrel’s quarterly conference call will be available to the public online at investor.crackerbarrel.com today beginning at 5:00 p.m. (ET). The online replay will be available tomorrow and through June 23, 2026.

 

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®

 

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.

 

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CBRL-F

 

Except for specific historical information, certain of the matters discussed in this press release may express or imply projections of items such as revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives or future operations or statements of future economic performance. These and similar statements regarding events or results that the Company expects will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements concerning matters that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and performance of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking information is provided pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties and other factors. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "trends," "assumptions," "target," "guidance," "outlook," "opportunity," "future," "plans," "goals," "objectives," "expectations," "near-term," "long-term," "projection," "may," "will," "would," "could," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "potential," "regular," "should," "projects," "forecasts," or "continue" (or the negative or other derivatives of each of these terms) or similar terminology. The Company believes that the assumptions underlying any forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, actual results may differ materially from those projected in or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition to the risks of ordinary business operations, factors and risks that may result in actual results differing from this forward-looking information include, but are not limited to risks and uncertainties associated with inflationary conditions with respect to the price of commodities, ingredients, transportation, distribution and labor; disruptions to the Company’s restaurant or retail supply chain; effects of changes in international, national, regional and local economic and market conditions (such as the imposition of trade barriers or other changes in trade policy) on our business; the Company’s ability to manage retail inventory and merchandise mix; the Company’s ability to sustain or the effects of plans intended to improve operational or marketing execution and performance or liquidity; the impact of adverse or extreme weather events on sales and customer travel; the effects of increased competition at the Company’s locations on sales and on labor recruiting, cost, and retention; consumer behavior based on negative publicity or changes in consumer health or dietary trends or safety aspects of the Company’s food or products or those of the restaurant industry in general, including concerns about outbreaks of infectious disease; the effects of the Company’s indebtedness and associated restrictions on the Company’s financial and operating flexibility and ability to execute or pursue its operating plans and objectives; changes in interest rates, increases in borrowed capital or capital market conditions affecting the Company’s financing costs and ability to refinance its indebtedness, in whole or in part; the Company’s reliance on a single distribution facility and certain significant vendors, particularly for foreign-sourced retail products; information technology disruptions and data privacy and information security breaches, whether as a result of infrastructure failures, employee or vendor errors or actions of third parties; the Company’s compliance with privacy and data protection laws; changes in or implementation of additional governmental or regulatory rules, regulations and interpretations affecting tax, health and safety, animal welfare, pensions, insurance or other undeterminable areas; the actual results of pending, future or threatened litigation or governmental investigations; or the Company’s ability to manage the impact of negative social media attention and the costs and effects of negative publicity; the impact of activist shareholders; the Company’s ability to achieve aspirations, goals and projections related to its sustainability initiatives; the Company’s ability to enter successfully into new geographic markets that may be less familiar to it; changes in land, building materials and construction costs; the availability and cost of suitable sites for restaurant development and the Company’s ability to identify those sites; the Company’s ability to retain key personnel; the ability of and cost to the Company to recruit, train, and retain qualified hourly and management employees; uncertain performance of acquired businesses, strategic investments and other initiatives that the Company may pursue from time to time; the effects of business trends on the outlook for individual restaurant locations and the effect on the carrying value of those locations; general or regional economic weakness, business and societal conditions; discretionary income or personal expenditure activity of the Company’s customers; implementation of new or changes in interpretation of existing accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"); and other factors described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, and other communications. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which made. The Company expressly disclaims any intent, obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

 

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, percentages and ratios)

 

   Third Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   5/1/26   5/2/25   Percentage
Change
   5/1/26   5/2/25   Percentage
Change
 
Total revenue  $797,367   $821,147    (3)%  $2,469,372   $2,615,675    (6)%
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation & rent)   240,973    247,280    (3)   782,038    816,013    (4)
Labor and other related expenses   302,083    304,781    (1)   919,110    938,342    (2)
Other store operating expenses   198,198    207,486    (4)   644,546    639,059    1 
General and administrative expenses   49,393    46,025    7    145,401    167,341    (13)
Impairment and store closing costs   0    718    (100)   3,891    3,869    1 
Operating income (loss)   6,720    14,857    (55)   (25,614)   51,051    (150)
Litigation settlement income   (47,422)   0         (47,422)   0      
Interest expense   3,668    4,984    (26)   11,425    15,784    (28)
Income before income taxes   50,474    9,873    411    10,383    35,267    (71)
Provision for income taxes (income tax benefit)   7,663    (2,701)   384    (9,088)   (4,358)   (109)
Net income  $42,811   $12,574    240   $19,471   $39,625    (51)
                               
Earnings per share – Basic:  $1.92   $0.56    243   $0.87   $1.78    (51)
Earnings per share – Diluted:  $1.90   $0.56    239   $0.86   $1.77    (51)
                               
Weighted average shares:                              
    Basic   22,351,318    22,264,782    0    22,328,450    22,246,936    0 
    Diluted   22,500,168    22,459,281    0    22,513,419    22,435,317    0 
                               
Ratio Analysis                              
Total revenue:                              
    Restaurant   82.6%   82.7%        81.1%   80.8%     
    Retail   17.4    17.3         18.9    19.2      
Total revenue   100.0    100.0         100.0    100.0      
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation & rent)   30.2    30.1         31.7    31.2      
Labor and other related expenses   37.9    37.1         37.2    35.9      
Other store operating expenses   24.9    25.3         26.1    24.4      
General and administrative expenses   6.2    5.6         5.9    6.4      
Impairment and store closing costs   0.0    0.1         0.1    0.1      
Operating income (loss)   0.8    1.8         (1.0)   2.0      
Litigation settlement income   (5.9)   0.0         (1.9)   0.0      
Interest expense   0.4    0.6         0.5    0.7      
Income before income taxes   6.3    1.2         0.4    1.3      
Provision for income taxes (income tax benefit)   0.9    (0.3)        (0.4)   (0.2)     
Net income   5.4%   1.5%        0.8%   1.5%     

 

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited and in thousands, except share amounts)  

 

    5/1/26     5/2/25  
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 26,050     $ 9,814  
Accounts receivable     34,689       37,439  
Inventories     179,935       168,695  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     49,878       60,877  
Property and equipment, net     955,860       971,021  
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net     764,571       822,269  
Intangible assets     24,325       24,369  
Other assets     52,569       44,565  
Total assets   $ 2,087,877     $ 2,139,049  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
Accounts payable   $ 131,002     $ 121,117  
Current portion of long-term debt     149,850       0  
Other current liabilities     299,203       301,916  
Long-term debt     336,783       489,410  
Long-term operating lease liabilities     608,049       653,060  
Other long-term obligations     97,520       104,235  
Shareholders’ equity, net     465,470       469,311  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,087,877     $ 2,139,049  
                 
Common shares issued and outstanding     22,351,460       22,266,951  

 

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(Unaudited and in thousands)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
    5/1/26    5/2/25 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $19,471   $39,625 
Depreciation and amortization   91,760    90,379 
Amortization of debt issuance costs   1,998    1,329 
Loss on disposition of property and equipment   5,066    6,249 
Impairment   418    3,581 
Share-based compensation   3,186    8,056 
Noncash lease expense   45,735    45,560 
Amortization of asset recognized from gain on sale and leaseback transaction   9,551    9,551 
Decrease in inventories   650    12,263 
Decrease in accounts payable   (38,846)   (41,171)
Net changes in other assets and liabilities   (46,483)   (58,745)
Net cash provided by operating activities   92,506    116,677 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of property and equipment, net of insurance recoveries   (87,896)   (113,214)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment   1,301    1,829 
Net cash used in investing activities   (86,595)   (111,385)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net proceeds from long-term debt   0    11,425 
Taxes withheld from issuance of share-based compensation awards   (1,943)   (1,428)
Dividends on common stock   (17,561)   (17,510)
Net cash used in financing activities   (19,504)   (7,513)
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (13,593)   (2,221)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   39,643    12,035 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $26,050   $9,814 

 

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   Third Quarter Ended 
    5/1/26    5/2/25 
Company-owned units opened during quarter:          
Cracker Barrel   1    1 
Maple Street Biscuit Company   0    1 
           
Company-owned units closed during quarter:          
Cracker Barrel   0    0 
Maple Street Biscuit Company   2    0 
           
Company-owned units in operation at end of quarter:          
Cracker Barrel   657    658 
Maple Street Biscuit Company   52    70 
           
Total stores at end of period   709    728 

 

   Third Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
    5/1/26    5/2/25    5/1/26    5/2/25 
Total revenue*: (In thousands)                    
Restaurant  $644,300   $661,945   $1,959,504   $2,061,681 
Retail   138,903    141,695    465,836    502,052 
Total revenue  $783,203   $803,640   $2,425,340   $2,563,733 
                     
Cost of goods sold* (exclusive of depreciation and rent): (In thousands)                    
Restaurant  $168,202   $173,431   $523,521   $546,757 
Retail   69,129    69,346    246,824    256,015 
Total cost of goods sold  $237,331   $242,777   $770,345   $802,772 
                     
Average unit volume*: (In thousands)                    
Restaurant  $980.7   $1,006.0   $2,984.2   $3,134.8 
Retail   211.4    215.3    709.5    763.4 
Total  $1,192.1   $1,221.3   $3,693.7   $3,898.2 
                     
Operating weeks*:   8,541    8,554    25,608    25,649 

 

Note*: This information is for Cracker Barrel stores only and excludes Maple Street Biscuit Company.

 

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

Reconciliation of GAAP-Basis Operating Results to Non-GAAP Operating Results

(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Adjusted Net Income and Earnings Per Share

 

In the accompanying press release, the Company makes reference to adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share. The Company defines adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss), calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding, to the extent the following items occurred during the periods presented: (i) impairment charges, and, for periods prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2025, store closing costs, (ii) expenses related to the proxy contest in connection with the Company’s 2024 and 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, (iii) expenses associated with the Company’s strategic transformation initiative, (iv) a corporate restructuring charge that includes consulting fees related to business model improvement and severance related to a reduction in headcount, (v) a gain on extinguishment of debt related to the Company’s repurchase of $150 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.625% convertible senior notes due June 2026, (vi) store closing costs associated with MSBC reorganization, (vii) a benefit of approximately $47 million related to a litigation settlement that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, and (vii) the related tax impacts of the foregoing. The Company believes excluding these items from its financial results provides investors with an enhanced understanding of the Company's financial results and enhances comparability across periods. The Company calculates adjusted net income (loss) margin by dividing adjusted net income (loss) by consolidated GAAP revenue. The Company calculates adjusted net income (loss) per share by dividing adjusted net income (loss) by weighted average shares outstanding for the applicable period. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) or earnings (loss) per share information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

   Third Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended 
   5/1/26   Margin   5/2/25   Margin   5/1/26   Margin   5/2/25   Margin 
Revenue  $797,367    100%  $821,147    100%  $2,469,372    100%  $2,615,675    100%
                                         
GAAP net income   42,811    5.4    12,574    1.5    19,471    0.8    39,625    1.5 
Strategic transformation initiative expenses   0    0.0    0    0.0    0    0.0    7,263    0.3 
Impairment and store closing costs   0    0.0    718    0.1    418    0.0    3,581    0.1 
Store closing costs associated with MSBC reorganization   0    0.0    0    0.0    3,095    0.1    0    0.0 
Proxy contest expenses   0    0.0    0    0.0    4,072    0.2    8,220    0.3 
Corporate restructuring charge   0    0.0    0    0.0    8,743    0.4    0    0.0 
Litigation settlement income   (47,422)   (5.9)   0    0.0    (47,422)   (1.9)   0    0.0 
Tax impacts of the foregoing   11,144    1.4    (169)   (0.0)   7,307    0.3    (4,480)   (0.2)
Adjusted net income (loss)  $6,533    0.8%  $13,123    1.6%  $(4,316)   (0.2)%  $54,209    2.1%
                                         
GAAP Earnings per share - basic  $1.92        $0.56        $0.87        $1.78      
GAAP Earnings per share - diluted  $1.90        $0.56        $0.86        $1.77      
                                         
Adjusted Earnings (loss) per share - basic  $0.29        $0.59        $(0.19)       $2.44      
Adjusted Earnings (loss) per share - diluted  $0.29        $0.58        $(0.19)       $2.42      
                                         
Weighted average shares - basic   22,351,318         22,264,782         22,328,450         22,246,936      
Weighted average shares - diluted   22,500,168         22,459,281         22,513,419         22,435,317      

 

 

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Page 9

 

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

Reconciliation of GAAP-Basis Operating Results to Non-GAAP Operating Results

(Unaudited and in thousands)

 

EBITDA/Adjusted EBITDA

 

In the accompanying press release and the below reconciliation tables, the Company makes reference to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines EBITDA as net income, calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense and tax expense. The Company further adjusts EBITDA to exclude, to the extent the following items occurred during the periods presented: (i) expenses related to share-based compensation, (ii) impairment charges, and, for periods prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2025, store closing costs, (iii) the proxy contest in connection with the Company’s 2024 and 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, (iv) expenses associated with the Company’s strategic transformation initiative, (v) a corporate restructuring charge that includes consulting fees related to business model improvement and severance related to a reduction in headcount, (vi) a gain on extinguishment of debt related to the Company’s repurchase of $150 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.625% convertible senior notes due June 2026, (vii) store closing costs associated with MSBC reorganization, and (vii) a benefit of approximately $47 million related to a litigation settlement that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. The Company calculates EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin by dividing EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by consolidated GAAP revenue. The Company believes that presentation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (together with related margin figures) provides investors with an enhanced understanding of the Company's operating performance and debt leverage metrics and enhances comparability with the Company’s historical results, and that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure, when combined with the primary presentation of net income (loss), is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of the Company’s operating performance. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or net income margin prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

  

Third Quarter Ended

5/1/26

   Margin   Nine Months Ended
5/1/26
   Margin 
Revenue  $797,367    100%  $2,469,372    100%
                     
GAAP Net income   42,811    5.4    19,471    0.8 
(+) Depreciation & amortization   31,038    3.9    91,760    3.7 
(+) Interest expense   3,668    0.5    11,425    0.5 
(+) Tax expense (tax benefit)   7,663    1.0    (9,088)   (0.4)
EBITDA  $85,180    10.7%  $113,568    4.6%
Adjustments                    
(+) Share-based compensation   2,547    0.3    3,186    0.1 
(+) Impairment   0    0.0    418    0.0 
(+) Store closing costs associated with MSBC reorganization   0    0.0    3,095    0.1 
(+) Proxy contest expenses   0    0.0    4,072    0.2 
(+) Corporate restructuring charge   0    0.0    8,743    0.4 
(-) Litigation settlement income   (47,422)   (5.9)   (47,422)   (1.9)
Adjusted EBITDA  $40,305    5.1%  $85,660    3.5%

 

  

Third Quarter Ended

5/2/25

   Margin   Nine Months Ended
5/2/25
   Margin 
Revenue  $821,147    100%  $2,615,675    100%
                     
GAAP Net income   12,574    1.5    39,625    1.5 
(+) Depreciation & amortization   30,991    3.8    90,379    3.5 
(+) Interest expense   4,984    0.6    15,784    0.6 
(+) Tax expense (tax benefit)   (2,701)   (0.3)   (4,358)   (0.2)
EBITDA  $45,848    5.6%  $141,430    5.4%
Adjustments                    
(+) Share-based compensation   1,551    0.2    8,056    0.3 
(+) Impairment   718    0.1    3,581    0.1 
(+) Proxy contest expenses   0    0.0    8,220    0.3 
(+) Strategic transformation initiative expenses   0    0.0    7,263    0.3 
Adjusted EBITDA  $48,117    5.9%  $168,550    6.4%

 

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FAQ

How did Cracker Barrel (CBRL) perform financially in Q3 fiscal 2026?

Cracker Barrel reported Q3 fiscal 2026 revenue of $797.4 million, down from $821.1 million a year earlier. GAAP net income increased to $42.8 million, or $1.90 diluted EPS, largely due to litigation settlement income of about $47.4 million.

What were Cracker Barrel’s adjusted earnings and EBITDA for Q3 2026?

Adjusted results weakened in Q3 2026. Adjusted net income was $6.5 million versus $13.1 million last year, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.29 versus $0.58. Adjusted EBITDA declined to $40.3 million from $48.1 million, with margin easing to 5.1%.

How did Cracker Barrel’s nine‑month fiscal 2026 results compare year over year?

For the first nine months of fiscal 2026, revenue fell to $2.47 billion from $2.62 billion. GAAP net income declined to $19.5 million from $39.6 million, while adjusted net income swung to a loss of $4.3 million from profit of $54.2 million.

What impact did the litigation settlement have on Cracker Barrel’s results?

A litigation settlement provided a benefit of approximately $47 million in Q3 fiscal 2026. This was recorded as litigation settlement income, significantly boosting GAAP net income and EBITDA, but it was excluded when calculating adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA.

Did Cracker Barrel change its fiscal 2026 outlook in this update?

Yes. Cracker Barrel stated it increased revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal 2026. Management highlighted initiatives to improve operations, guest connection, and profitability as reasons for higher full‑year expectations, even as recent revenues and adjusted earnings have declined.

What do the results show about Cracker Barrel’s margins in Q3 2026?

Q3 2026 GAAP net income margin improved to 5.4% from 1.5%, aided by settlement income. However, adjusted net income margin slipped to 0.8% from 1.6%, and adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 5.1% from 5.9%, indicating weaker underlying profitability.

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