Conservative critics saw the decision to remove the man in the logo, long known as Uncle Herschel, as an attempt by corporate executives to strip the chain of its history and character. That the CEO is a woman, Julie Felss Masino, only further fanned the outrage in some circles.

Fans have speculated that Uncle Herschel is Herschel McCartney, the uncle of Cracker Barrel founder Dan Evins. McCartney was a goodwill ambassador for the company in its early days when it was founded in Tennessee in 1969, according to Cracker Barrel Insider.