Cracker Barrel Board Member Faces Backlash Over DEI Involvement Amid Logo Change
Criticism Surrounds Board Member’s DEI Background Following Cracker Barrel Logo and Interior Redesign
A member of Cracker Barrel’s board is under scrutiny due to his extensive background in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, amid recent backlash against the company’s rebranding efforts. The chain’s new logo, which notably replaced an image of a man leaning on a barrel with a simple text logo on a yellow background, has faced consumer criticism, along with a modernized restaurant interior that deviates from its traditional Americana style.
Gilbert Davila, 61, who has served on the board since July 2020 and is a major shareholder, has a history of working in DEI consulting. He has led DMI Consulting, a firm specializing in multicultural marketing and inclusion strategies, since 2010. Davila’s LinkedIn profile highlights his expertise in embedding multicultural perspectives into corporate operations, and his past roles include vice president at Disney and marketing director at Coca-Cola USA.
Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist, criticized Davila in a video, accusing him of pushing DEI-focused advertising and policies. Starbuck pointed out that Davila’s promotion of DEI values illustrates a shift away from traditional American cultural norms. He described Davila as a key figure behind recent woke advertising campaigns and policies at companies like Disney.
Starbuck argued that this emphasis on progressive social values is more than cosmetic—it’s indicative of a broader cultural change. He emphasized that such initiatives have included active participation in LGBTQ pride events and aggressive diversity hiring practices, which he claims are causing a disconnect with the chain’s traditional middle-America customer base.
Cracker Barrel has yet to respond publicly to the controversy. The company’s rebranding efforts and the background of its board members have become focal points of ongoing debate, with critics asserting that the company is abandoning its heritage in favor of progressive social policies.