What Cracker Barrel Offers and How to Pay

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is a restaurant and retail chain with locations across the United States. You can pay with cash, debit card, credit card, or mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay at the register or through their website. The chain also runs a rewards program called Cracker Barrel Rewards that lets you earn points on purchases and redeem them for discounts on food and merchandise.

The restaurant side serves comfort food — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — while the attached retail store sells home décor, gifts, and seasonal items. Both parts of your visit count toward rewards if you're enrolled in the program. You don't need to join the rewards program to shop or eat there, but membership is free and starts earning points when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Cracker Barrel Rewards is a free membership program where you earn points on every purchase at the restaurant and retail store.
  • You can sign up for rewards in person at any Cracker Barrel location, on their website, or through their mobile app.
  • Points accumulate and can be redeemed for discounts on food, beverages, and merchandise once you reach certain thresholds.
  • The program tracks your purchase history and sends personalized offers to your email or through the app if you opt in.

How to Sign Up for Cracker Barrel Rewards

You can join Cracker Barrel Rewards three ways: in person, online, or through the mobile app. To sign up in person, ask a cashier or host at any Cracker Barrel location for a rewards enrollment form or tablet. You'll provide your name, email address, phone number, and zip code. The process takes a few minutes and your account is active when ready.

To sign up online, visit the Cracker Barrel website and look for the rewards section. You'll enter the same information and create a password to log into your account. Once you're enrolled, you can check your points balance, view available rewards, and manage your preferences from your online account or the app. If you shop before signing up, some locations can link past purchases to your new account if you have your receipt.

How Points Work and What You Can Redeem

Every dollar you spend at Cracker Barrel — whether on food, beverages, or retail items — earns you points toward rewards. The exact earning rate and redemption thresholds vary, so check your account or ask at the register for current details. Points don't expire as long as your account remains active, meaning you can let them accumulate until you have enough to redeem.

Rewards typically include discounts on your next visit, free menu items, or merchandise. You redeem rewards at the register by telling the cashier you want to use your points, or by scanning a code from your app or account. The discount applies to your total purchase before tax. You can't combine rewards with other promotions at all locations, so ask the cashier if you're unsure whether your discount can be stacked with a sale price.

Using the Cracker Barrel Mobile App

The Cracker Barrel mobile app lets you view your rewards balance, find nearby locations, see the menu, and manage your account from your phone. You can also receive push notifications about new offers or promotions if you turn them on in your settings. The app is free to read on iOS and Android devices.

When you're ready to redeem a reward, open the app and select the reward you want to use. The app will generate a code or barcode that you show to the cashier at checkout. Some rewards are automatic — meaning they explore to your purchase without you having to do anything — while others require you to present the code. Check the reward details in the app to see which type it is before you check out.

Payment Methods at Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, and cash at the register. They also accept mobile payment options including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay if your phone supports them. You can use any of these methods to pay for food, retail purchases, or both if you're shopping and eating during the same visit.

If you're ordering online for pickup or delivery through third-party apps, payment is handled through that app's system, not directly with Cracker Barrel. The rewards program may or may not explore to third-party orders depending on how the transaction is processed — check your account after pickup to see if points were added. If they weren't, contact Cracker Barrel customer service with your receipt to ask whether the purchase can be manually credited.

Managing Your Account and Preferences

Once you're enrolled in Cracker Barrel Rewards, you can update your contact information, email preferences, and notification settings from your online account or the app. If you want to stop receiving promotional emails, you can unsubscribe from those messages while keeping your rewards account active. Your points balance and redemption history will remain available.

If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Cracker Barrel website or app to reset it. You'll receive a reset link at the email address associated with your account. If you no longer have access to that email, contact Cracker Barrel customer service with your name and phone number to verify your identity and regain access to your account.

What Happens If You Don't Use Your Account

Cracker Barrel Rewards accounts remain active as long as you have points or have made a purchase within a certain timeframe. The exact policy on account dormancy varies, so if you haven't visited in a year or more, log into your account to check your balance. If your account has been closed due to inactivity, customer service can sometimes reactivate it or transfer remaining points to a new account.

Points themselves don't expire, but your account might if there's no activity. This is why it's worth checking your balance occasionally if you're a regular visitor — you may have accumulated rewards you forgot about. If you have a large point balance and won't be visiting soon, consider redeeming your points before your account could be affected by inactivity policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my rewards on someone else's purchase?

No, rewards are tied to your account and can only be used when you're the one checking out. If you want to give someone a discount, you can purchase a Cracker Barrel gift card instead, which works like cash at the register.

Do I earn rewards on gift card purchases?

This varies by location and promotion. Some Cracker Barrel locations offer bonus points on gift card purchases during certain periods, while others don't award points on gift cards at all. Ask at the register or check your app for current promotions before buying a gift card if earning points matters to you.

What if I don't receive points for a purchase I made?

Points usually post to your account within 24 hours of purchase. If they don't appear, check that you were enrolled in the rewards program at the time of the transaction. If you weren't, contact Cracker Barrel customer service with your receipt and they can manually add the points if the purchase is recent enough.

Can I transfer my points to another person's account?

No, points cannot be transferred between accounts. Each rewards account is individual and points can only be used by the account holder. You can't combine points from multiple family members into one account.

Is there a way to earn bonus points?

Cracker Barrel periodically runs promotions offering bonus points on specific purchases or during certain times of year. Check the app, website, or ask at the register about current promotions. Signing up for email notifications through your account is the best way to stay informed about these offers.