Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Wins Choice in Chains Award for the 13th Year in a Row.

Business Editors/Food Writers

LEBANON, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2003

Some may see 13 as an unlucky number, but for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store(R), Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBRL Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL), 13 just continues a winning streak. For the 13th consecutive year, Cracker Barrel has landed a first-place finish and the honor of being named the "Best Family Dining Chain in America," based on results of the 23rd annual Choice in Chains national consumer research survey sponsored by Restaurants and Institutions magazine.

Since opening in 1969, Cracker Barrel has made great strides in its "brand appeal," according to President and Chief Operating Officer Donald M. Turner. Winning the Choice in Chains Award for a 13th year is an indication that the company is doing many things right.

"What has built the brand appeal is the combination of friendly service and affordable, quality food," Turner said. "People come to us for the familiar foods that it's hard to find anywhere else, such as chicken n' dumplins, and turkey n' dressing. We work hard to provide new items with strong appeal from both a price and quality point of view."

Turner said the company's success lies in its ability to maintain its original vision and with good people who work at Cracker Barrel.

"I think that Cracker Barrel is successful because we still have the same vision today that Danny Evins (Cracker Barrel's founder) had over the years - good food, good prices and good service," said Turner.

"We wanted our customers to trust us, to trust that we are providing those things - good value, good price, good product. As long as I've known Danny that's what he's always said. Of course, we didn't know back then that that was what we meant, but we can put the words to it today - we treat all people with respect, and provide them with value for their money."

Turner added, "The people working for Cracker Barrel believe in it; believe in what we're trying to do - the good food, the good service, and the value. There's a saying about our core employees - "cut them and they bleed brown"; that's Cracker Barrel brown. Cracker Barrel is their lives. We have these people who live and breathe Cracker Barrel."

The study, commissioned by Restaurants and Institutions magazine, is based on the responses of more than 2,800 consumers. The respondents rated 133 national and regional chains on seven attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness and convenience.

Cracker Barrel will be recognized for this achievement at the Choice in Chains Award Ceremony to be held July 26-27, 2003 at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in California.

About Cracker Barrel

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

Each Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is modeled after a 1900-era 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 more than 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 469 company-owned locations in 41 states. Every Cracker Barrel location 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.

Editor's Note: For more info about us, visit our web site at http://www.crackerbarrel.com.