Cracker Barrel responded to reports that it requires employees to eat exclusively at its restaurants while traveling for work, noting that the guidance is not new.

The Southern-themed restaurant chain told FOX Business that its dining policy was first introduced in June 2024 and emphasized that employees traveling for business are encouraged — but not required — to eat at Cracker Barrel locations.

“The policy for employees to dine at Cracker Barrel while traveling for business, whenever practical based on location and schedule, is not new,” the company told FOX Business. 

“Also, it is not the only place that our employees may eat when on the road, as previously reported. The change was to further limit reimbursement of alcoholic beverages under the policy.”

CRACKER BARREL DINERS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM; HERE’S WHAT REPORTEDLY HAS THEM FURIOUS

A Cracker Barrel sign outside a location in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23, 2019. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The clarification follows a recent report highlighting Cracker Barrel’s internal employee policies. 

According to an internal message reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, employees are encouraged to delay work-related travel when possible and, when travel is unavoidable, are expected to dine at Cracker Barrel locations when practical.

“Employees are expected to dine at a Cracker Barrel store for all or the majority of meals while traveling, whenever practical based on location and schedule,” the company wrote.

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A Cracker Barrel Country Store in Fishkill, N.Y., Aug. 25, 2025. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)

Cracker Barrel is also reportedly tightening its travel expense policy relating to alcohol, requiring employees pay out of pocket for alcoholic beverages. Any exceptions must receive prior approval, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“Exceptions for special occasions must be pre-approved by an E-Team member,” Cracker Barrel said.

Cracker Barrel has struggled in recent months, including facing customer outrage last summer over a logo redesign that removed its iconic “Old Timer” character, a decision the company later reversed.

During its fiscal first-quarter 2026 earnings call in December, CEO Julie Masino said the company’s turnaround is taking longer than expected.

CRACKER BARREL CEO BREAKS SILENCE ON LOGO U-TURN

Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino walks out of an office building in Brentwood, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2025.  (Zak Bennett for Fox News Digital)

Sales fell 5.7% compared with the same period last year.

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“As you are all aware, the past few months have been difficult for Cracker Barrel and for our 70,000 team members around the country,” Masino said. “And while many of our guests are enjoying our improved food and guest experience, we certainly have more work to do to regain the trust and confidence of others who have been slower to return.”

Cracker Barrel shares are up more than 30% year to date.

FOX Business’ Greg Wehner and Eric Revell contributed to this report.

Homebuilders are reportedly developing a plan to address prospective buyers’ concerns about affordability with what they’re calling “Trump homes” that would cater to first-time homebuyers.

Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that homebuilders, including Lennar Corp., are developing a proposal that would have builders sell homes as part of a program backed by private investors who would help finance the program.

The outlet reported that one version of the proposal would see investors rent the homes to tenants. And, after three years, the tenants’ monthly rental payments would count toward a down payment if they wanted to buy the home, though a person involved told Bloomberg the plan would be complicated to implement.

It’s unclear what the scope of the program would be, although Bloomberg’s report indicated that builders have considered building up to 1 million homes, which would amount to over $250 billion in housing.

JUST 17% OF VOTERS THINK NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME AS AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS WEIGH: POLL

Builders’ “Trump homes” plan would reportedly emphasize building entry-level housing for new buyers, including a rent-to-own option. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Homebuilders first discussed the proposal with the Trump administration last year, though many details haven’t been finalized, according to Bloomberg’s report. The outlet reported that one of its sources indicated that private investors wouldn’t bear initial losses, although many details are still in flux.

Lennar declined to comment on the reports of the company’s planning.

THESE STATES ARE CONSIDERING ELIMINATING PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS

Americans still see homeownership as a key part of the American dream despite headwinds to affordability. (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte said in an appearance on FOX Business Network’s “Making Money with Charles Payne” that the administration isn’t considering the plan as it reviews a variety of proposals to improve the affordability of housing.

“The homebuilders are presenting a lot of different ideas,” Pulte said. “I know that one of them or two of them had floated this ‘Trump homes’ idea. It’s not something that we’re actively looking at, but, look, we appreciate all ideas. All ideas are welcome.”

EFFORT TO REIN IN WALL STREET LANDLORDS COULD PUSH US HOME PRICES UP, INVESTORS SAY

FHFA Director William Pulte said the administration isn’t actively considering the “Trump homes” proposal. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The proposals come amid a challenging housing market for Americans, as high home prices along with elevated interest rates make it difficult for first-time buyers to purchase their first home and also constrain supply. And existing homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a new mortgage with higher interest rates.

A poll conducted for the National Association of Realtors by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research found that just 17% of voters think now is a good time to buy a home, down from 69% in 2013.

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Despite the headwinds affecting housing affordability, homeownership remains a key part of what voters view as the American dream, with 85% calling it an essential part of the American dream, an increase from 79% in 2013 with strong support across political groups.

Planners warn development could mean ‘subsequent pressure to restrict the current and future activities of businesses’

Plans to develop a patch of green land into an 83-home estate have been rejected.

Bellway Homes had proposed to build the houses on land close to Tyldesley Old Road and Douglas Road, Atherton, immediately next to the Chanters industrial estate.

The developer described its vision for the estate as ‘creating a sustainable urban extension for the area by working with the sites own features and wider landscape character’.

But planners at Wigan council have this week rejected the project, saying any future occupiers of the homes could be affected by the industrial nature of the area because of its proximity and the noise from Chanters employment park.

A planning report said: “Officers have concluded that the proposed development conflicts with policies within the local plan in that it cannot be satisfactorily delivered.

“The applicant has failed to address these site constraints effectively through the provision of physical and green infrastructure needed.

“Furthermore, officers have concluded that if the development was delivered if would lead to subsequent pressure to restrict the current and future activities of businesses within the industrial estate.

“The proposed development would not achieve an acceptable standard of residential amenity in relation to noise.”

In a design and access statement supporting the plans, Bellway said the site area covers 8.28 acres and is bounded by ‘roads, residential and light industrial commercial buildings together with open land and woodland’.

The report said: “The site is located within a predominantly residential area and is bounded by existing houses to the west across Douglas Road.

“The site is also bound by light industrial and commercial infrastructure to the east and south, as well as open land and woodland to the north.”

It characterised the land as being in ‘a suburban residential area’. The council received 15 objections to the application.

Among the reasons given for opposition were ‘future residents would be impacted by proximity to industrial estate’, that Douglas Road is not wide enough for proposed access and that it is too close to electricity pylons and overhead lines.

Ward councillor Debra Wailes also objected. She said the site was a natural buffer between the houses on Douglas Road and the Chanters industrial estate and the mature tree line which supports this buffer zone would be destroyed.

Council chief says ‘This is about more than just building new homes – it’s about shaping places where families can grow ‘

Details of a plan to build three new neighbourhoods in Bury with almost 6,000 homes have been revealed.

Plans for Elton Reservoir, Walshaw and Simister Bowlee will feature three new primary schools, new health facilities, five new community centres, as well as sports pitches and playgrounds.

Formerly greenbelt land, the three areas have been allocated for housebuilding under the Places for Everyone masterplan since 2024.

Townhall bosses are due to approve draft development frameworks at a scrutiny meeting on Tuesday, February 10. Members of the public will then be invited to comment on the schemes, which will help shape the final masterplans.

Council leader Eamonn O’Brien said: “This is about more than just building new homes – it’s about shaping places where families can grow and where people have the schools, transport links, and amenities they need to thrive. Together, these developments will provide lasting benefits for Bury and the wider region for generations to come.”

Elton Reservoir

Elton Reservoir, an area just half a kilometre north of Radcliffe town centre, would be turned into 3,250 new homes. Around half the site would be retained as green space around the reservoir itself.

Six new residential areas would be built to the south and south-west of the lake, with a mixture of housing types – including around 25 per cent affordable and social housing. The plans also include a new two-form primary school, with the Star Radcliffe Academy secondary school at Spring Lane already due to be completed by summer 2026.

The masterplan also includes three high street areas, which could host retail, health and/or community centres.

Walshaw

Located between Walshaw Village and Woolfold, the agricultural area would house up to 1250 homes once the plans are approved. Around 300 of the houses would be classed as affordable – a mixture of affordable and social rent, and affordable homes to buy.

The site will retain space for a new primary school, as well as a new playing pitch and plenty of green spaces.

The plans feature several new highways, with incorporated active travel elements such as bike lanes.

In the plans produced by Stantec on behalf of the council, a consultant writes: “This development will aid the creation of neighbourhoods for Elton and Walshaw where residents can access everyday facilities on foot, whilst staying well connected to high quality services and jobs through convenient, direct and sustainable travel links.”

Simister/Bowlee

The Simister & Bowlee site straddles the border of Bury and Rochdale, in a wedge of land between Prestwich and Middleton. A total of 1,550 new homes are tipped for the site, with around 1,350 of them falling on the Bury side.

The neighbourhood is intended as an extension of Atom Valley, a project to build facilities for advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs in the Northern part of Greater Manchester. The new residential area could house employees at a convenient distance from the new workplaces.

Coun Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale council, said: “This new framework represents another important step forward for this area as part of the wider Atom Valley project, which will create thousands of highly skilled jobs and new homes in Rochdale and Bury.”

In the draft plan prepared by both local authorities, the homes would once again be a mixture of commercial and affordable housing, and come with an upgraded local highway network. Green spaces and a local centre, which could include health centres and shops, are also a part of the plan.