Cracker Barrel said Monday that CEO Julie Felss Masino will step down after a turbulent year marked by a controversial rebranding effort that drew conservative backlash.

The popular restaurant chain announced that David Deno, the former CEO of Bloomin' Brands — the parent company of Outback Steakhouse — will succeed Felss Masino.

“Cracker Barrel is a truly iconic American brand, defined by its unique combination of warm country hospitality, timeless appeal, and deep connection with guests across generations,” Deno said in a news release. “I am honored to lead the Cracker Barrel team and look forward to unlocking the full potential of this remarkable brand.”

The leadership change follows a $700 million rebranding effort last year that modernized some restaurants and culminated on August 19 with the unveiling of a new logo. The redesign replaced the longtime “Old Timer” figure leaning on a barrel with a pared-down look featuring only the company’s name.

The update sparked a wave of backlash from prominent MAGA figures, who accused the company of going “woke” and abandoning a nostalgic symbol in favor of a more sterile logo.

Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican, wrote on X, “Their logo was iconic and their unique restaurants were a fixture of American culture. No one asked for this woke rebrand. It’s time to Make Cracker Barrel Great Again.”

Even President Donald Trump weighed in, writing on Truth Social on August 25: “Cracker Barrel should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before.” The White House, echoing the president’s remarks, wrote on X: ‘Go woke, go broke.’

The controversy drove a sharp drop in the company’s stock, erasing $94 million in market value in one day.

On August 26, the company, headquartered in Tennessee, announced it would revert back to the old logo.

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.’

Trump praised the decision, writing on Truth Social: "All of your fans very much appreciate it,” and shares of the restaurant operator rose after the reversal was announced.

Felss Masino said in October that the short-lived rebrand was supposed to be functional, not ideological. She believed the new logo would be easier to see on billboards, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The company, which later nixed plans to remodel 660 restaurants, appears to have weathered the storm successfully. Last month, it reported third-quarter profit of $42.8 million, up from $12.6 million a year earlier, according to the Journal.

Last week, Cracker Barrel announced it was closing all locations of its sister brand, Maple Street Biscuit Company.

When reached by The Independent, a spokesperson for Cracker Barrel declined to comment.

Following news of Felss Masino’s departure, a number of social media users voiced their approval.

“Rejoice!!!!! I grew up going to the original Cracker Barrel. They have strayed so far from their roots,” one X user wrote. Another added, “I haven't eaten at a Cracker Barrel in awhile. I'll be going back now.”

Not everyone was on the same page, though. One user wrote: “Hot take: I liked the rebrand.”