Cracker Barrel Board Member With DEI Background Resigns

A Cracker Barrel board member who has drawn controversy over his DEI background has resigned, the company announced Thursday.

Upon announcing that shareholders voted to elect nine of the company’s 10 board nominees, including CEO Julie Felss Masino, during the annual meeting Thursday, Cracker Barrel revealed that following the vote, independent director Gilbert Dávila stepped down and the company's board will now consist of nine directors.

"The Board and leadership team are honored to be trusted with the responsibility of stewarding Cracker Barrel and we take seriously the trust our shareholders and guests have placed in us," read a statement from the board in part. "We also thank outgoing independent director, Gilbert Dávila, who has been a valued member of the Board through his five years of service to Cracker Barrel. Over that time, Gilbert helped oversee the formation of our strategic plan and led our Compensation Committee with skill and dedication. We are grateful for his many contributions."

The company had urged shareholders to keep Dávila, who joined the board in 2020, highlighting his experience in multicultural marketing.