Cracker Barrel has agreed to pay just over $100,000 and implement policy reforms after Maryland agencies investigated allegations that students with autism were mistreated during a school visit to a Waldorf restaurant. The settlement includes up to $75,000 in payments to students, $17,500 in donations to two school programs, a $9,000 deposit to a civil rights fund, and reimbursement for outing expenses. The chain must issue a written apology, retain outside counsel to review accommodations, update policies to explicitly cover cognitive disabilities, and begin enhanced manager training in 2026. State agencies will monitor compliance for two years and may pursue enforcement if the company fails to meet its obligations.
Cracker Barrel Agrees To More Than $100,000 Settlement After Alleged Mistreatment Of Students With Autism
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Cracker Barrel has reached a pre-determination settlement with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) and the Civil Rights Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General following allegations that a group of elementary students with autism were mistreated during a school visit to one of the chain's restaurants.
The joint settlement, signed between Dec. 4 and Dec. 12, 2024, resolves a state investigation without any admission of legal wrongdoing by the company. The incident involved a community-based instruction outing by students from Dr. James Craik Elementary School to a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Waldorf, Maryland, where teachers alleged the students 'were subjected to delays and mistreatment because of their disabilities.' The MCCR opened an inquiry and on Dec. 12 filed a formal complaint alleging a violation of State Government Code § 20-304.
Monetary and Programmatic Relief
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Under the agreement, Cracker Barrel will provide a combination of direct payments, donations and reimbursements that total just over $100,000. Within 30 days of full execution, the company must pay up to $75,000 to the affected students (distributed as $7,500 per student) via their parents or guardians. The chain will also donate $17,500 to two specialized programs at Dr. James Craik Elementary — Social Inclusion, Active Learning, and Rigo (SOAR) and ACHIEVE (Academics, Communications and Heightened Independence for Education, Vocation and Engagement) — and will reimburse $446.56 for expenses related to the original class visit. Additionally, Cracker Barrel will deposit $9,000 into the Civil Rights Enforcement Fund to support statewide education and enforcement efforts.
Apology, Policy Changes And Training
The company is required to issue a written apology to the affected students, parents and teachers within ten business days; the apology (included as Attachment 2 in the settlement) must be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to reach those individuals. Cracker Barrel must also retain the law firm Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP to review its public accommodation policies and recommend revisions at the company's expense.
Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesA deer head hangs above a hearth inside a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. restaurant
Revisions must explicitly affirm that Cracker Barrel 'makes reasonable modifications to our policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to serve individuals with disabilities,' and must address accommodations for cognitive and neurodivergent conditions. Employees will be reminded to avoid assumptions about guests' abilities, needs or preferences. Revised policies and training materials must be submitted to the state within 120 days, and updated annual manager training will begin in 2026; Maryland shift leaders will be required to complete enhanced training sooner as specified in the agreement.
'This settlement underscores a truth we hold as non-negotiable: inclusion is not optional, and dignity is not discretionary,' said MCCR Executive Director Cleveland L. Horton II in the announcement.
Enforcement, Duration And Outcome
The MCCR and the Civil Rights Division will monitor Cracker Barrel's compliance for two years. If the company is alleged to have violated the agreement, the agencies will notify Cracker Barrel and allow ten days to cure the issue; unresolved breaches may lead to enforcement action in the Circuit Court of Charles County. Once the required payments and obligations are satisfied, the complaint will be dismissed with prejudice and the state will waive investigative costs and attorney fees. The agreement itself remains in effect for two years and may terminate earlier if Cracker Barrel demonstrates substantial compliance.
Cracker Barrel conducted an internal review and continues to deny that it violated state or federal law, stating it did not deny service or treat the students differently because of their disabilities. PEOPLE reached out to Cracker Barrel for comment and had not received a response at the time of reporting.
