The Cracker Barrel rebrand debacle has been one of the most misunderstood corporate wokeness sagas of 2025. For months, it’s been held up as an example of the failures of ‘culture war conservatism,’ a tempest in a teapot that no one really cared about. Yet, we recently received data-driven proof that the backlash to one of America’s most beloved country brands has been anything but imaginary.
At first glance, it would appear the outrage from consumers and shareholders was simply about the advent of a minimalist logo. The reality, however, is that Cracker Barrel’s performance has been slipping for years. For example, if you invested $1,000 in Cracker Barrel at the start of 2021, it would be worth less than $300 today. That can’t be explained away by a simple logo change. That’s a major problem, years in the making.
But the real test for Cracker Barrel wasn’t whether customers would forgive Uncle Herschel and his wayward brand. It was whether investors would forgive the Barrel’s board of directors, specifically embattled CEO Julie Felss Masino.
On November 20, Cracker Barrel held its annual shareholder meeting, and we found out exactly how much investor trust had been destroyed. Simply put: a lot. A large percentage of investor votes are guided by the recommendation of proxy advisory firms, none of which were inclined to let Cracker Barrel walk away from the debacle scot-free.
In the lead-up to the meeting, much of the ire was focused on Gilbert Dávila, Cracker Barrel’s compensation committee chair and a marketing and diversity specialist, advising a vote against, with some firms also advising against re-electing Jody Bilney, the chair of the Barrel’s nominating/governance committee. CEO Masino wasn’t spared either, with proxy advisory firm Egan-Jones <a href="https://ejproxy.com/post/cash-is-king-the-vicious-cycle-at-cracker-barrel">recommending</a> a ‘no’ vote over the brand’s underperformance. Pay attention to these names — this is how you measure impact.
The outcome? CEO Julie Felss Masino failed to gain support from a quarter of shareholder votes. Bilney, the nominating chair, lost almost a third of shareholder support. And Gilbert Dávila, the diversity specialist, barely broke two-fifths of shareholder support, <a href="https://www.scrippsnews.com/business/company-news/cracker-barrel-ceo-survives-push-for-ouster-after-logo-controversy">resigning</a> after the meeting.
In fact, of the 10 directors up for election, seven of them didn’t break 90% support. That may not sound like much, but in a corporate context, let’s be clear: that’s a vote of “no confidence” from a very sizable number of shareholders.
For comparison, in a 2024 <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/06/exxonmobils-victory-over-climate-activists-is-a-win-for-its-shareholders/">pressure</a> campaign against ExxonMobil, left-wing activist efforts successfully brought down vote counts by a single percentage point — to 95%. Exxon’s CEO, Darren Woods, lost maybe 1% percent of investor support over manufactured outrage. Cracker Barrel’s CEO lost around 20% percent investor support as a result of real outrage.
If you’ll recall, Cracker Barrel made the risky and seemingly unprompted decision to change its logo in August of 2025. In an attempt to reach a younger, less nostalgia-driven audience, they removed ‘Uncle Herschel’ from the classic logo that had been emblazoned on storefronts since 1969.
But that move didn’t proceed as anticipated. The rebrand <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/cracker-barrels-new-text-only-logo-how-you-destroy-brand-critics-claim">got</a> all the wrong attention, from ordinary customers to President Trump to a wide swath of conservative commentators, with Rod Dreher <a href="https://x.com/roddreher/status/1958293733092528218?s=20">deeming</a> the marketing shift “the New Coke of corporate logos.”
And Cracker Barrel, to its very limited credit, listened. After a flurry of negative X impressions and customer protests, the company walked back the rebrand. “We hear you,” Cracker Barrel <a href="https://www.crackerbarrel.com/allthemore">announced</a>, shortly before restoring their old logo, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/03/food/cracker-barrel-drops-design-firm">firing</a> their design firm, and embarking on one of the most embarrassing rollbacks in recent corporate marketing history. “We heard clearly that the modern remodel redesign does not reflect what you love about Cracker Barrel.”
And then, you might think, the story ends. On the business side of things, however, the apology isn’t the final salvo in any marketing fumble. Customers might forgive a brand — but there was a lot more than a logo change to forgive.
Actions have consequences. It’s one of the most foundational principles of business, economics, and politics. In Cracker Barrel’s case, however, an even more foundational principle is being played out in real time: ideas have consequences. Ideas, like allowing political bias to seep into our most prominent corporate institutions, have severe consequences — like a billion dollars&#8217; worth of largely avoidable brand damage. It’s very easy to look at the Cracker Barrel saga and conclude that it’s a non-issue, a side cultural issue invented to invent victimhood where it doesn’t exist. Yet it’s not true.
Cracker Barrel’s failure isn’t a MAGA-generated victim narrative, despite what MSNBC hosts like Jonathan Capehart might <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/msnbc-host-says-hes-sick-snowflakes-slamming-cracker-barrel-logo-redesign">want you to believe</a>. The company’s struggles have hurt people of all political stripes. Using a historic, valuable brand to test pet marketing theories isn’t just a matter of X debate. It’s a threat to the financial futures of millions of Americans, including Cracker Barrel’s roughly 70,000 employees who depend on the company’s success.
Many of those Americans just made their opinions known, sending a clear sign: there’s serious trouble ahead at the Barrel. The rebrand was only the tip of a very large iceberg, and it’s not just going to be hand-waved away, least of all by the CEO and what’s left of the corporate board that allowed it to happen.
* * *
Isaac Willour is an award-winning journalist focusing on race, culture, and American conservatism, as well as a corporate relations analyst at Bowyer Research. His work has been featured at outlets including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Opinion, C-SPAN, and The Daily Wire. He is a member of the Young Voices contributor program and can be found on X <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacWillour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@IsaacWillour</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/cyberweek">DailyWire.com/cyberweek</a>.

Barrel II

After Rebranding Fiasco, Cracker Barrel Takes It On The Chin In Latest Shareholder Meeting

Corporations

Cracker Barrel

Leftists

Restaurant

shareholders

Woke Culture

Cracker Barrel poked fun at a recent PR crisis that followed its botched rebranding campaign.
The popular family restaurant responded to a photo mocking all of the liberals having meltdowns over President Donald Trump’s White House renovation project. Various doctored images have circulated showing exaggerated additions to the property, including a gigantic Trump tower. The meme that caught Cracker Barrel’s attention showed one of its restaurants attached to the White House’s East Wing.
“Wait, they’re really attaching a [Cracker Barrel] to the East Wing?” an X account posted alongside a crying-laughing emoji.
The official Cracker Barrel X account replied, saying, “You probably don&#8217;t want us anywhere near a remodel.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
You probably don&#8217;t want us anywhere near a remodel <a href="https://t.co/b3E8P7fVJD">https://t.co/b3E8P7fVJD</a>
— Cracker Barrel (@CrackerBarrel) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrackerBarrel/status/1983660591974904233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Commenters were delighted with the company&#8217;s self-own.
“A+ self awareness&#8230; this is awesome,” conservative activist and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines <a href="https://x.com/Riley_Gaines_/status/1983697443498946588">replied</a>.
“&#8230; and just like that I want to eat there again. Wow, what a way to stage a comeback,” another popular comment <a href="https://x.com/maviddedsker/status/1983666688307642729">said</a>.
“Promote social media manager to CEO,” a third commenter quipped.
“Hahaha! You guys figured it out,” another person echoed. “Admitting your mistakes and moving on, making a meme of yourself is totally endearing. Well done. You’re redeemed!”
Join us now during our exclusive Deal of the Decade. Get everything for $7 a month. Not as fans. As fighters. Go to <a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DailyWire.com/Subscribe</a> to join now.
Cracker Barrel was in the headlines for weeks beginning in August after it debuted a total rebrand. Outraged customers insisted that the company abandon its remodel plans and reinstate its traditional logo. Even President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation.
“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,” Trump said on Truth Social. “They got a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity if they play their cards right. Very tricky to do, but a great opportunity.”
Facing mounting backlash, the company ultimately walked back its rebrand.
“You’ve shared your voices in recent weeks not just on our logo, but also on our restaurants,” a statement posted to X said. “We’re continuing to listen. Today, we’re suspending our remodels. If your restaurant hasn’t been remodeled, you don’t need to worry, it won’t be. With our recent announcement that our ‘Old Timer’ logo will remain, along with our bigger focus in the kitchen and on your plate, we hope that today’s step reinforces that we hear you.”

Cracker Barrel Redeems Itself With One Savage Social Media Post After Rebrand Fiasco

Cracker Barrel Redeems Itself With One Savage Tweet After Rebrand Fiasco

Culture

Social Issues

Twitter

U.S.

Recently, some of you may have noticed the Cracker Barrel restaurant and gift store chain changed its logo. They removed the picture of the so-called “Old Timer,” who was meant to represent the chain’s southern-style comfort food and old-fashioned country store feeling, and left that space blank to represent the pit of fiery eternal damnation loud with the shrieks of the condemned into which the chain had fallen by supporting child sex changes, drag shows for children, and racist hiring practices.
The move was supposed to help the struggling chain’s finances by ensuring that no conservative customer entered one of their venues ever again. Those alienated customers would be replaced by large numbers of imaginary progressives just waiting for an old-fashioned, down-home, southern-style restaurant catering to pedophilia-adjacent homosexuals with a hankering for crunchy fried chicken.
But Right-wing activists loudly protested the logo change, and when it turned out the new imaginary customers were paying for their imaginary meals with imaginary money, Cracker Barrel was forced to replace the Old Timer in the empty space, in the hopes they could keep their usual customers and avoid the eternal shriek-filled pit of sin-tortured souls the empty space represented.
Now, at this point, the flaming shriek-filled pit of sin-tortured souls known as the American news media, began to express their opinions, which were all the same opinion, because all the American news media’s opinions are decanted from a single brain, which is kept on a lightning-lashed altar in the fog-shrouded cave-dwelling of Chernabog, who was the demon from Bald Mountain in Disney’s Fantasia, before he left to take a job in Disney’s animation department.
The opinion of the news media was that conservatives were oh-so-very silly to make such a big fuss over a meaningless logo change at a failing chain restaurant, and how far, oh how very far, American culture had fallen from those golden days when real intellectuals like Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley exchanged sparkling ideas by screaming slurs and threatening to punch each other in the face, while the Left swarmed over our institutions like locusts, devouring everything from Christianity to the First Amendment. Just how stupid could these Fox-News-Watching Neanderthals be that they would waste their energies trying to cancel an innocent restaurant that was simply trying to take their customers’ money to fund actions their customers found contemptible?
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-andrew-klavan-show">WATCH: The Andrew Klavan Show</a></h3>
And I thought to myself: Oh, American news media, how right you are! Who cares about these little meaningless changes in the culture? In fact, just for fun, I would like to suggest a few meaningless cultural changes of my own.
For instance, how about conservatives buy the rights to the gay situation comedy “Will and Grace” and reboot the show, but this time, Will embraces Catholicism, and hilarity ensues as gay Will struggles with his physical desires in order to live a life in keeping with his faith. I’m sure the elite news media wouldn’t mind a meaningless little culture change like that one tiny bit.
What about color-blind casting? The current rules are, it’s okay to have Jesus Christ portrayed by a black woman, but it’s very bad to have a deaf character portrayed by an actor who can hear. So how about, as a change of pace, we have Jesus Christ portrayed by a Jewish actor who’s deaf, and when the left says, “Hey, he’s supposed to be a black woman,” the actor can say, “What? I couldn’t hear you! I’m deaf!” I’m sure the media wouldn’t complain about that at all.
Or, I know. Let’s reboot the hit 1970’s slavery drama “Roots,” only in this version, instead of a white man heading into the African interior to capture slaves, the white slaver just waits in his ship like in real life until the black Africans bring their black slaves to him so he can take them to a country where hundreds of thousands of white men will ultimately die to free them, about fifty years before white imperialists force their African colonies to free their slaves as well. I’m sure the news media would love that fresh, original take on an old favorite. 
In fact, just for giggles, let’s change all the Left’s favorite franchises so that they represent something the Left truly despises: the American people.
* * *
This excerpt is taken from the opening satirical monologue of “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/the-andrew-klavan-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Andrew Klavan Show</a>.”
Andrew Klavan is the host of “The Andrew Klavan Show” at The Daily Wire. Klavan is the bestselling author of numerous books, including the Cameron Winter Mystery series. The fifth installment, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/After-That-Cameron-Winter-Mysteries/dp/1613166869/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EGZUC370LG46&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Y_NI0mDOKeowShheDQTVx5NH-fAeimJoCD56_T0Acpl8C0mup7uJf-nGGSRLEItaaekoDnvS2vWLMa4Zd2UBXQ8Y-g-P502jOWz-Y8IX3ZQsdlO7WMLrg1xIhNoKmjCorSWUR4C2l_RbiZ7apJ1MfPzGOrrEf7AdAXX6xwnJRVP_XqUfWuMuVthTWscaU3P4vgmS86-96n-721enHfX12CFQWTajqFbVnrsDkexfUf4.6_gTH6h1Bb9Pn375QdF_VAVZSayDvjQBBKGXE-MTiFo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=klavan&amp;qid=1754049918&amp;sprefix=%2Caps%2C80&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">After That, The Dark,</a> is now available for Pre-Order. Follow him on X: <a href="https://x.com/andrewklavan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@andrewklavan</a>
The views expressed in this satirical article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Cracker Barrel Redesigns Its Logo

The Easy Way To Ensure No Conservative Will Ever Visit Your Store

Andrew Klavan

Humor

Legacy Media

Satire

The beloved family restaurant Cracker Barrel is taking serious heat online for a rebranding effort that many fans absolutely despise.
The main update is a logo change for the first time in 47 years. 
The Southern country-themed restaurant chain first opened in 1969. It got its name from the 19th-century practice of people gathering to socialize around a barrel full of crackers outside a country store. While the original logo had just text, most customers are more familiar with the version that debuted in 1977, which included a man sitting next to a barrel.
The new logo follows the current trend of simplification and features a basic font on a plain background with no graphics. The restaurant said in a <a href="https://www.crackerbarrel.com/newsroom/news-releases/2025/aug/cracker-barrel-teams-up-with-country-music-star-jordan-davis">press release</a> that the new logo is &#8220;rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and wordmark that started it all.&#8221;
But the public does not appear to be convinced.
“As a brand designer that worked at [Cracker Barrel] for almost 9 years, watching them commit brand suicide is&#8230; something,” one popular <a href="https://x.com/rikoruss31/status/1958251796557705270">response</a> on X says.
“President Trump needs to federalize Cracker Barrel and deport this CEO to Bukele’s  ̶t̶o̶r̶t̶u̶r̶e̶ ̶c̶a̶m̶p̶ correctional facility as soon as possible,” Daily Wire podcast host Michael Knowles joked.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President Trump needs to federalize Cracker Barrel and deport this CEO to Bukele’s ̶t̶o̶r̶t̶u̶r̶e̶ ̶c̶a̶m̶p̶ correctional facility as soon as possible. <a href="https://t.co/C1YD89euYe">pic.twitter.com/C1YD89euYe</a>
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaeljknowles/status/1958330927802990765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Cracker Barrel has been a staple for years, and they have always embraced tradition and old fashioned dining,” another person <a href="https://x.com/RedsRepair95/status/1958249125763498403">wrote</a>. “The logo was recognizable to generations of people. Why change something that didn’t need to change?”
&#8220;Depressing,&#8221; another person said.
<a class="c-link" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" data-sk="tooltip_parent">End of Summer Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
“Honestly, the feedback’s been overwhelmingly positive that people like what we’re doing,&#8221; Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino said during a recent appearance on Good Morning America. The exec joined the company in 2023 after working in senior roles at Taco Bell, Mattel, Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Starbucks.
&#8220;Cracker Barrel needs to feel like the Cracker Barrel for today and for tomorrow…the things that you love are still there. We need people to choose us, and we want people to choose us,&#8221; Masino added.
In addition to the logo change, the restaurants have been undergoing remodeling to look more modern. The exec insists store managers are keen to get their stores on the list for a remodel, but again, the reactions on social media seem to be mostly negative. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino should face charges for this crime against humanity <a href="https://t.co/auBFPi4bpr">pic.twitter.com/auBFPi4bpr</a>
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1958330887117971578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“The new cracker barrel remodel is biggest architectural catastrophe since penn station i’m so serious,” one person said. 
“Cracker Barrel? more like&#8230;Corporate Sterile,” another agreed.
“This is a war crime,” echoed a third.

Cracker Barrel Restaurants Lawsuit

Cracker Barrel Blasted For Rebrand That Scraps Beloved Logo: ‘Crime Against Humanity’

Cracker Barrel Under Fire For 'Depressing' Logo Redesign, Rebrand: 'Crime Against Humanity'

Business

Social Media

United States

Wokeness

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem&#8217;s handbag, containing about $3,000 in cash, her DHS badge, passport, and other sensitive items, was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/21/politics/homeland-security-kristi-noem-purse-stolen/index.html">reportedly</a> stolen by a man wearing a medical mask at a Washington, D.C. restaurant on Sunday night.
Noem confirmed the incident on Monday while attending the White House Easter Egg Roll, but indicated that the matter remains unresolved.
Secret Service agents reviewed security camera footage at the Capitol Burger restaurant, which showed an unknown white male wearing a surgical mask stealing her unattended bag before quickly exiting the establishment.
Other stolen contents include Noem&#8217;s driver&#8217;s license, apartment keys, medication, makeup, and blank checks.
A DHS spokesperson <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/why-kristi-noem-had-3000-cash-purse-when-it-was-stolen-2062146">told</a> Newsweek that Noem had such a large amount of cash on hand to &#8220;treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts.&#8221;
&#8220;We can confirm this occurred last night. Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren,&#8221; DHS said.
A law enforcement source confirmed that the Secret Service has initiated an investigation to trace any potential unauthorized use of Noem&#8217;s financial instruments.
“This is a security breach that actually has high consequences, and it needs immediate and further review by the Secret Service and DHS, and other law enforcement partners,” former Secret Service agent Jonathan Wackrow told CNN.
“If necessary, the Secret Service will need to make operational changes on how they deal with these types of private events moving forward,” Wackrow said.
He added that Noem remains “at higher risk for targeted threats, both by foreign and domestic actors, and just her public profile alone makes her a symbolic target.”

Connecticut Democrats And Survivors And Families Of Gun Violence Victims Mark 12th Anniversary Of Sandy Hook School Shooting

Kristi Noem’s Purse — With DHS Badge, Passport, $3,000 Cash Inside — Stolen

Crime

Kristi Noem

Theft

Washington D.C.

Hooters, a restaurant chain most famous for its all-female staff serving wings in skimpy clothing, is filing for bankruptcy, the company announced on Monday.
Hooters of America is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas after accumulating $376 million in debt, and through the bankruptcy process, plans to sell off all 100 of its company-owned restaurants to two franchisee groups that operate Hooters locations in Tampa, Florida, in an effort to keep the chain afloat.
“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to reinforce Hooters’ financial foundation and continue delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our customers and communities have come to expect,” <a href="https://www.hooters.com/about/news/hooters-of-america-takes-strategic-action-to-continue-its-iconic-legacy">said</a> Sal Melilli, chief executive officer of Hooters of America, in a Monday press release.
The company plans to exit bankruptcy in “approximately 90-120 days.”
The bankruptcy process comes with an attempt at a rebrand, or “re-Hooterization,” of the company, Neil Kiefer, the CEO of a company that runs a group of original Hooters restaurants, told Bloomberg.
The leadership is moving toward a more PG-13 vision of the company: no more “bikini nights,” as Bloomberg put it.
“You go to some parts of the country and people say, ‘Oh I could never go to Hooters, my wife would kill me,”’ Kiefer <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-03-27/hooters-bankruptcy-founders-to-welcome-families-end-bikini-nights">said</a>. “That’s depressing to us. We want to change that.”
Hooters was founded in 1983 and became famous for its chicken wings and its female staff wearing orange short shorts and low-cut tank tops.
The chain has been the subject of numerous scandals in recent years that have severely impacted the company, including lengthy legal battles over racial and gender discrimination.
Most famous was a 1996 lawsuit where Hooters was <a href="https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/sex-discrimination-does-refusing-hire-men-food-servers-violate">accused</a> of “employment discrimination based on sex in hiring only female food servers, bartenders, and hosts, with the intent of providing a sexually stimulating aura for male patrons.”
In addition to scandals, casual dining as a whole suffered in 2024, with &#8220;TGI Fridays, Red Lobster, Bucca di Beppo, and Rubio’s Coastal Grill all filing for bankruptcy last year,” the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/01/business/hooters-files-for-bankruptcy-as-chains-founders-seek-control/">reported</a>.
According to court filings, Hooters has approximately 5,957 employees in 151 directly owned stores in 22 states, in addition to 154 franchise locations in 19 states and 17 countries, per <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-31/hooters-files-bankruptcy-in-texas-as-brand-mulls-turnaround-plan">Bloomberg</a>.
The company confidently <a href="https://www.hooters.com/our-future">asserted</a> in an FAQ announcing the bankruptcy: ”Is Hooters going out of business? No. Hooters is here to stay.”

Hooters

No More ‘Bikini Nights’: Hooters Goes Bankrupt, Pivots To PG-13 Vision In ‘Re-Hooterization’

Discrimination

Economy

Gender

Women

A California-based delivery driver on Friday was awarded $50 million from a lawsuit against Starbucks after he was burned by a hot beverage that spilled in his lap at a drive-thru.
Michael Garcia sued the popular coffee chain after having to undergo skin graft procedures on his legs and penis, which he says was caused by a scalding hot tea not being properly situated in the cardboard drink carrier. Garcia was burned from one of three venti-sized “Medicine Ball” beverages that he was picking up, per <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/16/delivery-driver-injury-lawsuit-california-starbucks">The Guardian</a>. According to the outlet, a Medicine Ball is an off-menu item consisting of &#8220;steamed lemonade, hot water, Jade Citrus Mint green tea, Peach Tranquility tea and honey.&#8221; 
Garcia’s attorney, Nick Rowley, said in a press release that Garcia’s “life has been forever changed” by the accident.
“No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility,” Rowley said.
The attorney also <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-awarded-50-million-starbucks-hot-tea-rcna196616">noted</a> that “Starbucks offered $30m to settle but wanted confidentiality. We said we would settle for $30m without confidentiality and only if Starbucks agreed to publicly apologize and promise to change policy to prevent this from happening again.”
Starbucks also issued a statement, saying they were sympathetic to Garcia’s pain but also that they planned to appeal the decision. The company said they have “always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores.”
“We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive,” Starbucks said in a statement.
The case is reminiscent of the famous 1990s case of a New Mexico woman who burned her legs with a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee. The late Stella Liebeck, who was 79 years old at the time, sustained third-degree burns in her pelvic region and was hospitalized for eight days while undergoing skin grafting, plus endured two additional years of medical treatment. 
Liebeck originally petitioned to settle with McDonald&#8217;s for $20,000 to cover her medical expenses, but the fast food chain declined, which led to her attorney suing for gross negligence. Liebeck was awarded $160,000 for medical expenses and $2.7 million in punitive damages, but that amount was later reduced by the judge. Liebeck and McDonald’s eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.

Starbucks

Delivery Driver Wins $50M In Lawsuit Against Starbucks After Hot Tea Spilled On His Genitals

Delivery Driver Awarded $50M In Hot Tea Lawsuit Against Starbucks

California

Courts

Lawsuit

An <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/onlyfans">OnlyFans</a> content creator was recorded propositioning a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant">fast food</a> employee for sex, but she was turned down after the worker told her he was “a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/christianity">Christian</a> man.”
Bonnie Blue, 25, is a controversial OnlyFans creator who targets 18 and 19-year-olds to have sex with her. 
Viewers had mixed reactions when Blue shared the video on her TikTok account. In the clip, the content creator enters a Five Guys branch and asks an employee where she can find “five guys” and inquires whether he’s “on the menu.”
&#8220;I can’t see it on the menu, but where are the five guys from?&#8221; she asks.
The worker replies, &#8220;The… huh?&#8221; 
She clarifies her statement, saying, &#8220;I didn’t know if it was like a special room, or you can take me out back?&#8221;
The worker again responds with confusion and says, &#8220;Uh, I don’t know what’s happening.&#8221;
&#8220;What about after your shift? I mean, I’d want to give you, you know, a good rating,&#8221; she says. 
The worker responds, &#8220;I’m a Christian man, and I’m waiting until marriage.&#8221; 
Bonnie Blue says, &#8220;I’m asking what’s on your menu, that’s all.&#8221; He responds, &#8220;Genuinely, I feel like I’m dreaming right now. I can hand you the menu if you want.&#8221;
The OF star doesn’t give up, saying, &#8220;Are you on it?&#8221; to which he replies, &#8220;No, I’m not.&#8221; 
She replies, &#8220;Oh, that’s a shame.&#8221;
The employee later shared the exchange on his X account, writing, “Bonnie Blue recording me at work was not on my bingo card for this year, but here we are, I guess.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Bonnie blue recording me at work was not on my bingo card for this year but here we are I guess <a href="https://t.co/klBsJk0wyb">pic.twitter.com/klBsJk0wyb</a>
&mdash; •ola• (@harry_1514) <a href="https://twitter.com/harry_1514/status/1876414293996151062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The comments were filled with support and praise for the Five Guys worker refusing her overtures.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/">JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25</a>
“Good for you for standing your ground and saving yourself for marriage! Not many are like that,” one person <a href="https://x.com/GodIsGood116_/status/1876744780530471181">wrote</a>. “My wife and I both waited for marriage too and it was definitely a lot better than being used products for others.”
“this is so predatory &#8211; if this was a man, everyone would be outraged,” another commenter <a href="https://x.com/taylor_vahey/status/1876719815890464884">said</a>. “not acceptable to do to someone at their job.”
“Well done brother. God has better plans for you, have faith,” another said.
In an <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2024/11/05/bonnie-blue-sex-barely-legal-teens-predatory-educational-21928983/">interview</a> with Metro last November, Blue said: “People are calling me a predator anyway. So it makes no difference if I’m a guy or a female, because my hate has been through the roof in terms of death threats and non-stop abuse.”
“If I was forcing them off the street, dragging them up, then yeah, call me a predator, but it’s not the case,” she added, claiming that 18-year-olds “choose to contact her.”

Five Guys

Five Guys Employee Goes Viral For Turning Down OnlyFans Creator: ‘I’m A Christian Man’

Five Guys Employee Goes Viral For Turning Down OnlyFans Creator: 'I'm A Christian Man'

Christianity

OnlyFans

TikTok

viral video

World

In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder opened up about why she made the decision to close the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oakland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oakland</a> location, detailing how crime and violence made the restaurant staff unsafe.
California has seen a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/desantis-rips-newsom-over-california-exodus-newsom-refuses-to-address" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mass exodus</a> from the state since 2020, over a host of reasons, including the spike in crime linked to failed soft-on-crime policies. The closure of the Oakland location was the first time the company had to shutter a store, Snyder said.
&#8220;It was just absolutely dangerous. In, out of 365 days, I think 300 days there was some type of event,&#8221; Snyder <a href="https://www.prageru.com/video/in-n-out-president-lynsi-snyder-on-how-god-gave-her-the-strength-to-lead-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> PragerU host Marissa Streit. The president cited burglaries, violence, fights, theft, and a stabbing, and said there was even an incident of gunshots fired through the store.
The president of the popular fast food chain also noted the lengthy wait time for police to show up when called. The city is notorious for slow 911 response times. Oakland 911 wait times were worse than any other city in the state, with an average wait time lasting three to four times longer than the state mandate, a 2023 NBC <a href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/oakland-deadline-911-response-times/3582739/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> found.
&#8220;It was huge,&#8221; Snyder said of the decision to shut down the store. &#8220;But, for the safety of our associates, we just felt like, this is not okay.&#8221;
The company announced in January that they&#8217;d be closing the location. As highlighted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/in-n-out-burger-to-close-its-only-location-in-oakland-due-to-crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> at the time, crime in the city spiked from 2022 to 2023, with robberies increasing by 38% and burglaries by 23%.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/">50% OFF ALL DAILY WIRE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS FOR A LIMITED TIME!</a>
Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said in January that the company took &#8220;repeated steps to create safer conditions,&#8221; but their customers and associates are still &#8220;regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies.”
“We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years, and we recognize that this closure negatively impacts our Associates and their families,” Warnick said. “Additionally, this location remains a busy and profitable one for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and well-being of our Customers and Associates – we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.”
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
NEW: In-N-Out owner says she was forced to close their Oakland location because there was a crime almost every day, says the closure was the only one in 75 years.
Oakland is a great litmus test for what happens when you let liberals control an entire city for an extended period… <a href="https://t.co/tPpydx8zdP">pic.twitter.com/tPpydx8zdP</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1871743786562514970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/donotcomply-praise-erupts-online-for-in-n-out-burgers-anti-vax-mandate-stand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘#DoNotComply’: Praise Erupts Online For In-N-Out Burger’s Anti-Vax Mandate Stand</a>

American regional chain of fast food restaurants In-N-Out

‘Absolutely Dangerous’: In-N-Out Burger President Explains Why She Shut Down Oakland Restaurant

In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder Explains Why She Shut Down Oakland Restaurant 

Food

Oakland

A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington, D.C.</a>-based server has been fired after boasting in an interview that she would not be willing to serve <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump</a> officials from the incoming administration. 
The server was previously employed by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant">Beuchert’s Saloon</a> on Capitol Hill. She took part in a report by Washingtonian magazine about how the service industry would respond to President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s team if they patronized her place of employment. Most individuals who were interviewed remained anonymous, but Suzannah Van Rooy provided her real name. 
“I personally would refuse to serve any person in office who I know of as being a sex trafficker or trying to deport millions of people,” the server told the outlet, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dc-restaurant-workers-say-they-wont-serve-trump-officials-or-will-make-dining-unpleasant">reported</a>. “It’s not, ‘Oh, we hate Republicans.’ It’s that this person has moral convictions that are strongly opposed to mine, and I don’t feel comfortable serving them.”
“People were a lot more motivated the first time around to do those kinds of shows of passion. This time around, there is kind of a sense of defeat and acceptance,” Van Rooy added. “But I hope that people still do stand up to this administration and tell them their thoughts on their misbehavior.”
Beuchert&#8217;s Saloon denounced Van Rooy’s comments and confirmed she was no longer employed there, per <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/d-c-restaurant-server-fired-after-comments-about-refusing-service-some-trump-officials-horrified">Fox News Digital.</a> The neighborhood restaurant and bar called her statements “reprehensible” and “unforgivable.”
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1734465856887000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0yoXh27k1XJufgc_qcfvEq">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
“Recent comments made by a member of staff who had no authority to speak on behalf of our entire restaurant have been, quite rightly, flagged as inappropriate, hostile, intolerant, and unacceptable. This staff member does NOT speak for us as a restaurant,” Beuchert&#8217;s Saloon said in a statement.
A follow-up statement confirmed Van Rooy’s dismissal from her part-time position and claimed she logged on to the establishment&#8217;s social media accounts, speaking on behalf of the restaurant without approval.
&#8220;Not only do Ms. Van Rooy’s comments clearly violate our zero-tolerance policy on discrimination, but her decision to sign into our social media accounts in the middle of the night to post her own rhetoric in wildly offensive responses to comments is a further breach of conduct and protocol. She has no authority to speak on our behalf, and her comments do not reflect the positions of over twenty other people who make up our staff,&#8221; the statement said.
&#8220;For these reasons as well as the sheer dismay and disgust we feel at her unforgivable behavior, Ms. Van Rooy has been dismissed immediately. Our staff and families (many of whom are personally offended by Ms. Van Rooy’s comments about them) are still reeling from what Ms. Van Rooy said and did, and we as a restaurant are simply horrified to be associated with base prejudice.&#8221;

Beuchert’s Saloon

D.C. Waitress Fired For Saying She Wouldn’t Serve Trump Officials

D.C. Waitress Fired For Saying She Wouldn't Serve Trump Officials

Donald Trump

General

Politics

Trump Administration

Some <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington, D.C.-based</a> restaurant workers reportedly say they will refuse service to certain Trump officials, or make dining uncomfortable for them. 
These service industry employees voiced their opinions while speaking with the <a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/12/11/clashes-are-coming-for-trump-officials-dining-out-in-dc/">Washingtonian</a>. 
&#8220;You expect the masses to just ignore RFK eating at Le Diplomate on a Sunday morning after a few mimosas and not to throw a drink in his face?&#8221; Zac Hoffman, a D.C. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant">restaurant</a> veteran and current manager at the National Democratic Club, told the outlet. He is reportedly concerned about potential safety risks for not only members of Team Trump but also unaffiliated diners and restaurant staff.
&#8220;This person theoretically has the power to take away your rights, but I have the power to make you wait 20 minutes to get your entrée,&#8221; a fine-dining bartender who requested anonymity said of potentially serving members of Trump’s staff.
&#8220;There’s a lot of opportunities for us as workers to feel like we’re taking our power back, while not necessarily ruining someone’s life,&#8221; the bartender added. &#8220;Giving them a subtle inconvenience feels like a little bit of a win for us.&#8221;
The bartender also said she would quit if restaurant management took issue with her tactics. 
&#8220;There is power in making it known that you’re not comfortable with a situation, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be this big dramatic show,&#8221; she told the outlet. &#8220;It’s just little bits of resistance that add up, and little bits of resistance that other people will see and hopefully feel empowered to stand on those convictions as well.&#8221;
Suzannah Van Rooy, a server and manager at Beuchert’s Saloon on Capitol Hill, said she would refuse service to those &#8220;trying to deport millions of people.&#8221; 
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1733885540339000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3AN1vxuvN8UmdriyXYDBvs">CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</a>
&#8220;It’s not, ‘Oh, we hate Republicans.’ It’s that this person has moral convictions that are strongly opposed to mine, and I don’t feel comfortable serving them,&#8221; Van Rooy said.
Another anonymous interviewee said she would serve Trump officials but intentionally make their dining experience unpleasant. 
&#8220;I’ll only give them a bad table but will otherwise guarantee decent and polite service,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;I feel like them getting a bad table is nothing compared to the harm they’ll be inflicting.&#8221;
Not every person interviewed was unhappy about an incoming Republican administration, however. A bartender named Joseph, who voted for Kamala Harris, said that in his experience, Republicans tip better.
&#8220;I think my tip average from Republicans—at least ones that I or a coworker has recognized—is close to 30 percent. With Dems, I’m surprised if it’s over 20,&#8221; he said.

fine dining

DC Restaurant Workers Say They Won’t Serve Trump Officials, Or Will Make Dining Unpleasant

DC Restaurant Workers Say They Won't Serve Trump Officials, Or Will Make Dining Unpleasant

Retired tennis pro <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/serena-williams">Serena Williams</a> claims she was denied service at a restaurant in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/paris">Paris</a> hotel, but a rep for the establishment says that’s not exactly what happened.
Williams, 42, shared her version of events in a post on X. “Yikes @PeninsulaParis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant">restaurant</a> of nicer places but never with my kids,” she wrote on Monday, August 5. “Always a first. #Olympic2024.”
After the athlete posted the complaint, a Community Notes update was added: &#8220;Serena was not ‘denied access.’ Rather, the restaurant was fully booked.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Yikes <a href="https://twitter.com/peninsulaparis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peninsulaparis</a> I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places 🫠 but never with my kids. Always a first. 🙄<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympic2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympic2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/lEGJR5WoEn">pic.twitter.com/lEGJR5WoEn</a>
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/1820507655250850058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A spokesperson from The Peninsula Paris also reacted to Williams’ accusations.
“Dear Mrs. Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight. Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved,” the restaurant’s official account <a href="https://x.com/peninsulaparis/status/1820533467358371858">posted</a> to X on Monday. 
“We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again. The Peninsula Paris,” a follow-up post said.
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722714742764000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzmEsRwzti1RFNuISwYgd">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
One restaurant employee explained the situation in a statement to <a href="https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/serena-williams-slams-paris-restaurant-olympics-1236095987/">Variety</a>. “When [Williams] came there were only two tables available and they had been reserved by clients of the hotel,” Maxime Mannevy told the outlet. “My colleague didn’t recognize her and feels terrible, but he told her what he would have told any other client, which is to wait downstairs in the bar for a table to become available. That was absolutely nothing personal.”
The hotel also issued a statement to Today on the situation.
“In response to Mrs. Williams’ tweet, for whom we have the utmost admiration and respect, as we do for all our esteemed guests; we can only reiterate our deepest apologies for her perception of tonight’s situation,&#8221; it said.
The statement added, “Today, August 5th, our rooftop bar was indeed unfortunately fully booked, and the only unoccupied tables at that time belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved tonight. She has always and will always be more than welcome with her family to The Peninsula.”

Serena Williams

Paris Restaurant Responds To Serena Williams Complaining It ‘Denied’ Her Service

Paris Restaurant Responds To Serena Williams Complaining It 'Denied' Her Service

Celebrities

France

Paris

Menu