Have you ever walked into a restaurant, eaten a hot biscuit, and wondered who owns the place? That happens a lot at Maple Street Biscuit Company. People love their flaky biscuits, fried chicken, and rich gravy.
If you heard that maple street biscuit company sold a few years ago, you heard right. Big changes happened behind the scenes. A major national brand stepped in and bought the entire company. That news surprised many loyal breakfast lovers across the country.
Many long-time fans worried about their favorite spot. Would the food quality drop? Would the friendly community vibe vanish? In this post, I will break down who bought the company, how much money was involved, and what the restaurants look like today.
Who Bought Maple Street Biscuit Company?
Maple Street Biscuit Company started in 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. Two friends named Scott Moore and Gus Evans opened the very first store. They wanted to create a place with fresh comfort food and a strong neighborhood feel.
Their simple idea took off fast. People lined up around the block for hot biscuits and house-made jam. Within a few years, the owners opened dozens of new stores across the Southeastern states.
Then came October 2019. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store bought Maple Street Biscuit Company. Cracker Barrel is a huge restaurant chain famous for country meals and big gift shops. They wanted to expand their footprint in the fast-casual breakfast market.
Before buying Maple Street, Cracker Barrel tried running their own fast biscuit shop called Holler & Dash. That brand did okay, but it did not catch on as fast as Maple Street. So, Cracker Barrel decided to purchase a brand that people already loved. If you enjoy learning about top breakfast spots, check out comfort food restaurants across the country to see how regional favorites grow into national brands.
How Much Was Maple Street Biscuit Company Sold For?
Big sales in the food world always pull in big money. When Maple Street Biscuit Company was sold, the financial details made headlines across the restaurant industry.
Cracker Barrel paid $36 million in cash to buy Maple Street. That was a huge sum for a young biscuit chain with fewer than 35 locations at the time.
When the deal closed, Maple Street had 28 total stores operating across seven states. That means Cracker Barrel valued each store location at over $1.2 million. That price tag showed how much faith Cracker Barrel had in the future of the brand.
Another key detail was leadership. Co-founder Scott Moore agreed to stay on as president of Maple Street after the sale. Having the original founder lead daily work helped reassure fans that the brand core would not change overnight.
Why Did Cracker Barrel Buy the Business?
Why would a massive corporate chain buy a small regional biscuit shop? The decision came down to smart business growth and changing customer habits.
First, Cracker Barrel wanted to attract younger diners. Their traditional stores mostly attract older crowds, families, and highway travelers. Maple Street appeals directly to college students, young professionals, and city neighborhood crowds.
Second, breakfast food was growing fast. More people wanted quick, high-quality breakfast options during work weeks. Maple Street served food fast without making people sit down for an hour.
Third, Cracker Barrel already had seven Holler & Dash locations running. Instead of managing two competing breakfast brands, Cracker Barrel converted all Holler & Dash stores straight into Maple Street locations. That move expanded Maple Street instantly.
Buying a proven brand is often safer than building one from scratch. You can read our guide on how restaurant buyouts work to see how corporate brands buy smaller chains to expand into new markets.
What Changed After the Sale?
Whenever a small chain gets bought by a corporate giant, customers worry about negative changes. Some changes did happen, but many were focused on expanding the business behind the scenes.
The most visible change was store expansion. With Cracker Barrel funding, Maple Street opened new locations quickly. The company grew from 28 stores in 2019 to over 60 stores today.
Here is a short comparison showing how the company changed after the buyout:
| Feature | Before the Sale (2019) | After the Sale (Today) |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Independent Founders | Cracker Barrel Old Country Store |
| Store Count | 28 locations | 60+ locations |
| Holler & Dash Stores | Ran separately | Converted to Maple Street |
| Core Menu Items | Squawking Goat, Five & Dime | Same iconic dishes kept |
| Order Style | Fun community questions | Same order questions kept |
New stores also got updated order screens and revised kitchen workflows. These updates helped store teams process large morning orders much faster during busy weekends.
Does Maple Street Biscuit Company Still Serve Good Food?
This is the big question for food lovers. Did the food quality drop after Cracker Barrel took control?
The short answer is that the main dishes still taste great. Maple Street still bakes fresh biscuits in every store every morning. Their biscuits remain big, flaky, and buttery.
Their signature meal is still The Squawking Goat. It comes with a fried chicken breast, a slab of goat cheese, and house-made pepper jelly inside a warm biscuit. Food Network featured this dish years ago, and it remains a crowd favorite today.
Another popular dish is The Five and Dime. It packs fried chicken, pecanwood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, a fried egg, and sausage gravy inside a fresh biscuit. The portion sizes remain very generous.
They also kept their famous order question ritual. When you pay for your food, the worker asks a fun question like, “What was your favorite childhood cartoon?” When your plate is ready, they shout out your answer over the speaker. That little game keeps the atmosphere cheerful and personal.
Some early customers feel the newer stores lack a bit of the original local charm. That happens with almost any restaurant that grows beyond its hometown. However, the food standards remain solid across most locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who bought Maple Street Biscuit Company?
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store bought Maple Street Biscuit Company in October 2019 for $36 million in cash.
Is Maple Street Biscuit Company owned by Cracker Barrel?
Yes, Maple Street operates as a subsidiary under Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Did Maple Street Biscuit Company close down?
No, Maple Street did not close down. It actually expanded and now operates more than double the store locations it had before the sale.
Is the menu still the same after the sale?
Yes, key menu favorites like fresh biscuits, fried chicken, sausage gravy, and house jams stayed on the menu.
Where was the first Maple Street Biscuit Company opened?
The first Maple Street store opened in San Marco, a neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida, back in 2012.
Final Thoughts on the Sale
When Maple Street Biscuit Company was sold, many fans feared the worst. People assumed corporate ownership would ruin the fresh food and warm service that made the place famous.
Luckily, Cracker Barrel let Maple Street keep its core identity intact. The menu retains its signature biscuit dishes, and store teams still ask fun order questions every morning.
Have you visited a Maple Street location recently? Did your biscuit taste as good as always? Grab a coffee, try a chicken biscuit, and judge for yourself next time you pass by one.
Leave a Reply