HispanicBusiness

LEBANON, Tenn., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(R) now offers a menu that makes it easier for Spanish speaking people to enjoy old-fashioned country comfort food. The new Spanish/English menu erases language barriers and illustrates Cracker Barrel's commitment to offering quality food and service to the Hispanic community.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040517/CLM017LOGO)

Cracker Barrel's Spanish/English menu is easily understood because it places the English translation directly next to the Spanish text. Spanish speaking guests can now spot some traditional favorites like Arroz con Pollo de los Sabados (Saturday Chicken N' Rice) and the Hamburguesa de Media Libra con Queso y Tocino (Half pound Bacon Cheeseburger). Vegetable side dishes include Granos de Maiz Completos (Whole Kernel Corn), Ejotes Estillo Campestre (Country Green Beans), and Pure de Papas (Mashed Potatoes).

"This menu translates good country cooking from English to Spanish," says Cy Taylor, Senior Vice President of Operations. "The color-coded format enables our servers to clearly understand what the guest is ordering. We've found a way to overcome the language barrier and the bilingual communication helps our servers deliver the food in a timely manner."

The Spanish/English menus feature all the tasty items available on the Cracker Barrel breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Breakfast is served all day, so if a Spanish speaking guest wants breakfast at dinner time, he can select Desayuno de Panqueques de Mama (Momma's Pancakes) with pura miel de maple (pure maple syrup) and tortas de chorizo ahumado (smoked sausage patties).

This innovative menu complements the company's commitment to serving the Spanish speaking population. Robin Cheek, an Employee Training Coordinator in the Baytown, Texas unit, says Spanish speaking guests are showing their approval by visiting often. "Even though many of our Hispanic guests are bilingual, there's usually at least one person at the table who does not speak English. This menu is perfect for that person," says Cheek. "Our Spanish speaking visitors and tour groups are becoming regular guests because everyone at the table understands what they're ordering."

After testing the Spanish/English menu successfully in several Texas stores, Cracker Barrel decided to include the Spanish/English menu in its delivery of a new core menu to all of its units. The new menus include daily dinner features and a new low-carbohydrate section featuring more than a dozen tasty low-carb options.

Cracker Barrel already offers Spanish information and training packets for all employees. These packets include Spanish-language versions of company manuals on job orientation, job descriptions, training, human resources, safety, and food preparation practices.

The Spanish/English menu will be available at every location of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store beginning May 17, 2004. A sign posted near the hostess stand informs guests that the menu is available upon request. To view an electronic version of the Spanish/English menu, please visit the media room at http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ .

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly held CBRL Group, Inc. . Cracker Barrel was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Each Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is modeled after an authentic country store, featuring old photographs, antiques, memorabilia, and a real woodburning fireplace with a stone hearth to add a warm cozy touch to the dining room. The restaurant serves up hearty meals of such comfort foods as meatloaf and homemade chicken n' dumplins, and the biscuits are made from scratch using an old family recipe. The retail store has over 2,700 gift items including accessories for the home, old-fashioned candies, books on audio, nostalgic items, and children's games and puzzles.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. operates 498 company-owned locations in 41 states. Every Cracker Barrel is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040517/CLM017LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comCracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Web site: http://www.crackerbarrel.com/