Cracker Barrel pulls — and then un-pulls — ‘Duck Dynasty’ items from the shelves

[ashling]

While Cracker Barrel had been one of the first marketing partner of the show to make a public move after Robertson’s offensive comments about blacks and gays, the firm’s course correction came after waves of protest bubbled up through social media. That reaction included more than 30,000 comments on the restaurant chain’s original post announcing the removal of “selected products which we were concerned might offend some of our guests while we evaluate the situation.”

A popular comment in response: “After you are done removing the selected products, go ahead and remove a bunch of tables and chairs,” wrote Jody Kixon you won’t be needing them any more.”

Cracker Barrel’s initial decision to remove Duck Dynasty products while retaining Duck Commander products may have sent a mixed message. Fans loyal to the Robertson family looking to boycott Duck Dynasty products may have viewed the move favorably, since the show’s network, A&E, wouldn’t be expected to share brand revenue on sales of the family’s Duck Commander products. Others, plainly, viewed the move as a repudiation of Robertson’s comments.

In the company’s statement Sunday, Cracker Barrel said “We respect all individuals right to express their beliefs. We certainly did not mean to have anyone think different.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

well that was fast - We are heading out for Christmas and I was considering stopping at CB just as a show of support.

Nevermind

[NightWatcher]

1. whodathunk they would've sided with the (hollywood contrived) good ol boys?

I for one am getting tired of the Rednecking of America that has been happening. It's mirrored the rise in the proudly gleefully ignorant vibe that is spreading across the heartland. They believe in fairies and don't trust science. They hate anyone who looks different than they do. They are the most easily manipulated populace that I can remember ever reading about.

[seattledo]

2. I'm more offended by their confusion

Than their hatred of freedom.

[NaturalHigh]

3. Frankly, I'm very surprised they removed the products in the first place.

Given what little I know about Cracker Barrel (only ate there once), I would think they should have known how their customer base was going to react. From a business standpoint, they actually would have been better off supporting the Duck Dynasty guy from the beginning. It's not like they were going to win over many new customers by banning his merchandise, and their customer base is probably pretty similar to the DD base. Considering their bland food, it's not like they have a lot of other crap to fall back on like A and E, which was one of my favorite networks before it started showing all the "reality" show crap some years back.

[CFLDem]

4. Does Cracker Barrel realize

Phil defended the Jim Crow south?

Are we all on the same planet!?

[Bortman33]

5. I detest plagiarism, but must ask Cracker Barrel and A & E,

two questions.

The first is: "Is this only about the money?"

These are living, breathing people people suffering racial and bigoted attacks by a pack of pretend Christians who you financially support. The blacks and gays that are being disparaged have husbands, wives, lovers, mothers, fathers, children, and friends who care deeply about them. They have never done anything to hurt anyone yet instead of doing the right thing, you sponsor, support, and make money from their hate.

The second and plagiarized question, stolen from Joseph Nye Welch, is:

"Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

[Jenoch]

6. I am not Duck Dynasty viewer.

I did not even know the name of the family. I did discover something interesting about Phil Robertson. He played QB ahead of Terry Bradshaw at Louisiana Tech for two years and probably would have for a third season except that he quit playing football. He apparently liked to hunt more than he liked playing football. He certainly has more money now than Bradshaw.

[House of Roberts]

7. A&E is having a DD marathon tonight.

Another is listed for Monday night, and a third starts Christmas afternoon. I wonder if there's a connection?

[Gothmog]

8. I dislike this chain but was going to give them another chance

I do not like this chain. The service is always slow and the food is not that great. I was willing to give the chain another chance due to their actions but now I am free to continue to ignore this chain

[ashling]

9. Same here

On the way to mil's for xmas my wife asked me if I was hungry. I said I was, but to wait till we saw a C.B. and then pick something else.

At xmas dinner my 12 yr old niece said that she wished A&E hadn't fired Ugly Duck. My sil said " don't worry, everybody's mad at A&E anyway." My wife looked her square in the eye and said "Not Everyone"

My little niece and nephew are so cute and smart, but their parents are driving it out of them. I pity those kids.