Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Restaurants / Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

cbrl · NASDAQ Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker cbrl
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Employees 77600
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FY2014 Annual Report · Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
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    s we look back on 2014, we are pleased with   

 our accomplishments. We continued to focus  

for many perception attributes including Value,  

   on our long-term strategy to Enhance the 

Food Quality, Menu Variety, and Friendly Service.

Core business, Expand the Footprint of our stores, 

and Extend the Cracker Barrel® brand. In every 

quarter of the year, we outperformed the Knapp-TrackTM 

Casual Dining Index for sales and traffic. This 

achievement marks eleven consecutive quarters in 

which we have outperformed this peer group.  

We grew our restaurant and retail comparable store 

sales, operating margins, and earnings per  

diluted share despite continued headwinds within  

the restaurant industry. In addition, we once  

again celebrated record sales on Thanksgiving Day.

In addition, we were named to Forbes Magazine’s list 

of America’s 100 Most Trustworthy Companies.  

This list, developed by GMI Ratings, evaluated the 

accounting and governance behaviors of more than 

8,000 publicly traded companies in North America. 

We are proud to be on this list, which we believe 

further demonstrates that Cracker Barrel is a brand 

not only our customers can trust, but also a solid 

long-term investment our shareholders can trust.

Financial   Perform ance

Our Operations team consistently executed our 

Our success in the 2014 fiscal year was achieved in 

mission of Pleasing People® and we saw year-over-

the face of a challenging economic environment for 

year increases in several of our guest loyalty 

our consumer, severe winter weather, and signifi-

metrics. Consumer ratings for the 2014 fiscal year 

cant promotional activity by many of our competitors.  

indicate that Cracker Barrel received the highest 

We grew our revenues by 1.5% to $2.7 billion, with 

overall rating among 32 large restaurant chains 

comparable store restaurant sales increasing  

analyzed by Technomic Inc., a well-recognized 

0.7% and comparable store retail sales increasing 

industry research firm. Moreover, we led in ratings 

0.4%. Adjusted for proxy contest and severance 

1

expenses, we improved our operating margins to 7.9% 

the Cracker Barrel brand. This culture begins with  

from 7.8% in the prior fiscal year1. This improvement 

our mission of Pleasing People. The Pleasing People 

was the result of the many cost savings initiatives that 

mission is demonstrated by our employees and is 

we implemented as part of our strategic plan. Our 

evidenced in our guests’ and employees’ survey 

adjusted earnings per diluted share grew 13.3% to 

responses about their experience at Cracker Barrel. 

$5.63, compared to $4.97 in fiscal 2013. During 2014, 

Overall guest and employee satisfaction remained  

we directly increased shareholder return by growing 

high during fiscal 2014. Guests’ perceptions of overall 

our regular quarterly dividend by over 33% to $1.00, 

value once again showed a year-over-year increase. 

resulting in an annual yield of approximately 4.0%.

Among our front-line store employees, employee 

Pleasing  Peo ple ®

We believe that Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®  

morale and sentiment toward the company remained 

high. More than 80% of our hourly and management 

is one of the most unique and differentiated brands 

1  Operating income determined in accordance with GAAP  

in full-service dining. This belief is supported by 

Technomic Inc. research regarding customer ratings 

of brand uniqueness. We also believe that our 

organizational culture is uniquely capable of delivering 

was $208.4 million, or 7.8% of total revenue, for 2014 and  
$201.5 million, or 7.6% of total revenue, for 2013. Diluted  
earnings per share in accordance with GAAP were $5.51 for  
2014 and $4.90 for 2013. The GAAP amount for 2014  
includes proxy contests expenses and their related tax effects.  
The GAAP amount for 2013 includes proxy contest  
expenses, other items and their related tax effects. Please  
see selected financial data for further explanation.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Earnings Per Diluted Share 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
From Continuing Operations
Earnings Per Diluted Share

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Declared Dividends per Share 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Since FY 2010
Declared Dividends Per Share Since FY 2010

$6.00

$5.00

$4.00

$3.00

$2.00

$ 1.00

$0

2010

2011(a)

2012(b)
Fiscal Year 

2013(c)

2014(d)

(a)
(b)
(c)

(d)

Fiscal 2011 adjusted for charges related to an impairment, severance and the proxy contest.
Fiscal 2012 adjusted for charges related to severance and the proxy contest, and on a 52-week basis.
Fiscal 2013 adjusted for charges related to severance, the proxy contest, and retroactive 
reinstatement of the work opportunities tax credit.
Fiscal 2014 adjusted for charges related to proxy contests.

e
r
a
h
S
r
e
P
s
d
n
e
d
i
v
i
D
d
e
r
a

l
c
e
D

$3.50

$3.00

$2.50

$2.00

$1.50

$1.00

$  .50

$0

2010

2011

2012
Fiscal Year 

2013

2014

 
 
 
employees responded to our annual employee 

engagement survey that they feel proud to work at 

Cracker Barrel, while over 90% responded that they 

would recommend Cracker Barrel as a great place to 

eat and shop. In addition, our management retention 

rates have remained high.

S t r a t e gic  Prio rit ies

At the beginning of 2014, we announced fi ve strategic 

business priorities for the fi scal year: fi rst, focusing on 

better-for-you additions and reinforcing everyday value 

on our menu; second, continuing to message our 

“Handcrafted by Cracker Barrel” theme in support of the 

brand, menu, and merchandise; third, driving retail 

sales with improved quality and breadth of our 

merchandise assortment; fourth, improving operations 

and margins by applying technology and process 

improvements; and fi fth, focusing on enhancing long-

  term total shareholder returns. We believe that  we 

made signifi cant progress on all fi ve priorities in 2014.

In August, we rolled out a new category within the 

Cracker Barrel menu to meet our guests’ desire for 

additional healthy menu items. The Wholesome Fixin’s® 

category introduced nine complete meals for 

under 600 calories at breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

3

Our guests responded positively to the new menu 

Country Dinner Plates at a $7.69 price point, further 

category. We saw improvements in survey scores 

enhancing the value perception of our menu.

measuring guests’ attitudes about the brand 

including “offers appealing healthy options,” “uses 

fresh ingredients,” and “is a restaurant I can trust.”

Our marketing focus at the beginning of the fiscal 

year was to build awareness around the introduction 

of the Wholesome Fixin’s menu category. We 

Throughout the year, we continued to build upon the 

promoted the category with new television and radio 

Wholesome Fixin’s category through our limited 

commercials which ran for five weeks during our  

time promotional offerings, and we plan to add these 

first fiscal quarter. During the holiday season we high- 

new entrees to the core menu category during fiscal 

lighted the Cracker Barrel brand and our value 

year 2015. We look forward to the long-term growth 

message through national cable television advertising 

of the Wholesome Fixin’s® category on our menu. 

for an additional five weeks. In support of the 

Through our promotional menu activity, we reinforced 

summer travel season, we again featured our Country 

the affordability of our menu by featuring two  

Dinner Plate value messaging during a national 

new limited time Weekday Lunch Special entrees at 

television commercial campaign.

$5.99. Additionally, we continued to highlight our 

Additionally, we continued to promote the  

Cracker Barrel brand through our more than 1,600 

billboards. During the fourth quarter, we refreshed 

4

approximately one-fourth of our billboards with 

Our third strategic priority for the year was to drive 

new price-point messaging around our $5.99 and 

retail sales with improved quality and breadth of 

$7.69 value positions at both lunch and dinner.

the merchandise assortment. During the fi scal year, 

As part of an ongoing sponsorship of military 

families, we held an online nationwide charity 

auction. Not only did the online auction generate 

proceeds to support our returning service men, 

women, and their families, it also afforded us the 

opportunity to increase the level of digital 

engagement and connection with our guests.

we increased the number of merchandise themes 

that we feature each year and shortened their 

time on the fl oor in order to keep the merchandise 

assortment fresh and new. We introduced some 

eye-catching color themes such as Passion for Purple 

and Red Hot, with bright décor, home goods, 

and women’s clothing, which resonated with our 

guests. Additionally, our merchandising team 

To enhance our digital market presence during the 

broadened the appeal of the brand by sourcing 

summer travel season, we followed “The Four-

products that have seasonal appeal and reach 

Star Salute: Cracker Barrel’s Military Family Online 

across generations and genders.

Charity Auction” with our “Summer Stories 

Sweepstakes.” The digital sweepstakes allowed 

our guests to share summer pictures with 

us and other guests thus generating a two-way 

personalized online experience between our 

guests and our brand. We were very pleased 

with both of these digital media events 

and the brand impressions that they generated.

Our women’s apparel and accessories continued 

process. These technology and process enhance-

to be one of our strongest selling categories. To build 

ments, as well as others that are not listed, 

upon the strength of this category, we successfully 

resulted in increased productivity and throughput, 

introduced women’s footwear providing depth to the 

ultimately contributing in part to our increase 

assortment. Another leading sales category in 

in operating margin.

2014 was Décor. Our guests responded especially 

well to our sentiment and inspirational décor items.

Our fi nal business priority has been, and will 

continue to be, a continued focus on maximizing 

We continue to invest in our employees and their 

total shareholder return. In 2014 we targeted 

career development. At the onset of our fi scal year, 

increasing the quarterly dividend, expanding the 

we held a very successful General Manager’s 

footprint through new unit growth, and extending 

conference. This conference provided a platform 

the brand outside of the four walls. In the third quarter, 

for the introduction and training of several new 

we declared a 33% dividend increase to $1.00, 

technology-based programs. We trained all of our 

which was paid in the first quarter of 2015. This 

General Managers on the second phase of our 

marks a fourth increase in the quarterly dividend 

labor management system and all of our Retail 

Managers on improved selling techniques to high-

light our fun, unique, and nostalgic merchandise.

Other successful process and technology improve-

ments during the year included a new back of house

system that supports superior food quality and 

enhances the employee experience and an inventory 

management technology system that can be built 

upon to automate the inventory and replenishment 

NOW available at
your supermarket

premium
bacon

spiral sliced
ham

6

cboldcountrystore.com

since November 2011, generating a total increase 

R e f l e c t i o n   a n d   O u t l o o k

of 400% over that time period.

While 2014 was a challenging year within the 

We delivered “total shareholder return” or TSR, 

which we believe is an appropriate measure of value 

returned on the shareholders’ investment, of 

approximately 133%, compared to 77% for the S&P 

600 restaurant index. Additionally, we successfully 

opened seven new Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® 

locations during the year, bringing our total store 

count at the end of the fi scal year to 631. 

restaurant industry, I am very proud of our leader-

ship teams and our employees who consistently 

delivered on our mission of Pleasing People and 

executed our business priorities. As we look to 

2015, we are well-positioned with a talented 

management team and engaged employees. We 

remain committed to delivering an outstanding 

dining and retail experience to our guests, providing  

a positive employee experience, and building 

In October, we shipped our fi rst licensed products 

on our accomplishments to provide value to our 

with John Morrell Food Group under our new 

shareholders. 

mark, CB Old Country StoreTM. Our licensed products 

have been well received at grocery stores and 

at the close of the fi scal year we had 19 products 

available through our licensing program.

Sincerely,

Sandra B. Cochran

President and Chief Executive Offi cer

7

C R AC KE R  BAR RE L  OLD COUNTRY STO RE, INC.
Directors

Thomas H. Barr
Interim CEO and Global President of  
Hailo Network, USA; former Vice President, 
Global Coffee at Starbucks Corporation

James W. Bradford
Chairman of the Board; Retired; former Dean 
and Professor for the Practice of Management 
at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate 
School of Management

Sandra B. Cochran
President and CEO of Cracker Barrel  
Old Country Store, Inc.

Glenn A. Davenport
President of G. A. Food Service, Inc.;  
former Chairman and CEO of Morrison 
Management Specialists

Richard J. Dobkin
Retired; former Managing Partner of the  
Tampa, FL office of Ernst & Young, LLP

Norman E. Johnson
Retired; former Executive Chairman  
and CEO of CLARCOR, Inc.

William W. McCarten
Chairman of the board of directors of 
DiamondRock Hospitality Company

Coleman H. Peterson
President and CEO of Hollis Enterprises,  
LLC; former Chief People Officer of  
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Andrea M. Weiss 
President and CEO of Retail Consulting, Inc.; 
former President of dELiA*s Corp. 

8

2014

Financial Table of Contents

10  Forward-Looking Statements – Risk Factors

12  Selected Financial Data

13  Shareholder Return Performance Graph

14  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of  

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

29  Management’s Report on Internal Control  

Over Financial Reporting  

30  Report Of Independent Registered  

Public Accounting Firm   

31  Report Of Independent Registered  

Public Accounting Firm   

32  Consolidated Balance Sheets  

33  Consolidated Statements of Income    
and Consolidated Statements of  
Comprehensive Income

34  Consolidated Statements of Changes  

in Shareholders’ Equity  

35  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  

36  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

54  Corporate Officers  

55  Corporate Information   

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   1

9/24/14   6:06 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements – Risk Factors

Except for specific historical information, many of the matters 
discussed in this Annual Report to Shareholders may express or 
imply projections of items such as revenues or expenditures, 
estimated capital expenditures, compliance with debt 
covenants, plans and objectives for future operations, inventory 
shrinkage, growth or initiatives, expected future economic 
performance or the expected outcome or impact of pending or 
threatened litigation. These and similar statements regarding 
events or results that Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 
(the “Company”) expects will or may occur in the future, are 
forward-looking statements that, by their nature, involve risks, 
uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual 
results and performance to differ materially from those 
expressed or implied by those statements. All forward-looking 
information is provided pursuant to the safe harbor established 
under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and 
should be evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties 
and other factors. Forward-looking statements generally can  
be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 
“trends,” “assumptions,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” 
“opportunity,” “future,” “plans,” “goals,” “objectives,” “expecta-
tions,” “near-term,” “long-term,” “projection,” “may,” “will,” 
“would,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” 
“believe,” “potential,” “regular,” “should,” “projects,” “forecasts” 
or “continue” (or the negative or other derivatives of each of 
these terms) or similar terminology. We believe the assumptions 
underlying any forward-looking statements are reasonable; 
however, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and 
therefore, actual results may differ materially from those 
projected in or implied by the forward-looking statements. 
Factors and risks that may result in actual results differing from 
this forward-looking information include, but are not limited  
to, those summarized below, as well as other factors discussed 
throughout this document, including, without limitation,  
the factors described under “Critical Accounting Estimates” 
on pages 24 to 27 of this Annual Report or, from time  
to time, in the Company’s filings with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), press releases and other 
communications.

10

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on 

forward-looking statements made in this document, since the 
statements speak only as of the document’s date. Except as  
may be required by law, the Company has no obligation, and 
does not intend, to publicly update or revise any of these 
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances 
occurring after the date of this document or to reflect the 
occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are advised, 
however, to consult any future public disclosures that the 
Company may make on related subjects in its documents filed 
or furnished to the SEC or in its other public disclosures.

Set forth below is a summary of the material risks associated 

with our business and, therefore, any investment in our 
securities. Our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with 
the SEC on September 25, 2014 and available at sec.gov,  
as well as our website, crackerbarrel.com, contains a more 
comprehensive discussion of these risks, and you are 
encouraged to review that Annual Report on Form 10-K and  
all our SEC filings.

Risks Related to Our Business

•  General economic, business and societal conditions as  

well as those specific to the restaurant or retail industries 
that are largely out of our control may adversely affect  
our business, financial condition and results of operations.

•  We face intense competition, and if we are unable to 

continue to compete effectively, our business, financial 
condition and results of operations would be adversely 
affected.

•  The price and availability of food, ingredients, retail 

merchandise and utilities used by our stores could adversely 
affect our revenues and results of operations.

•  Our plans depend significantly on our strategic priorities 

and business initiatives designed to enhance our menu and 
retail offerings, support our brand, improve operating 
margins and improve the efficiencies and effectiveness of 
our operations. Failure to achieve or sustain these plans 
could adversely affect our results of operations.

•  We are dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified 

employees while also controlling labor costs.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   10

9/24/14   6:06 PM

•  Our risks are heightened because of our single retail 

•  Health concerns, government regulation relating to the 

distribution facility and our potential inability or failure to 
execute on a comprehensive business continuity plan 
following a major national disaster at or near our corporate 
facility could adversely affect our business.

•  Our reliance on certain significant vendors, particularly  

for foreign-sourced retail products, subjects us to numerous 
risks, including possible interruptions in supply, which 
could adversely affect our business.

consumption of food products and widespread infectious 
diseases could affect consumer preferences and could 
negatively affect our results of operations.

•  Failure to maximize or to successfully assert our intellectual 

property rights could adversely affect our business and 
results of operations.

•  Litigation may adversely affect our business, financial 

condition and results of operations.

•  Our ability to manage our retail inventory levels and changes 

•  Unfavorable publicity could harm our business. In addition, 

in merchandise mix may adversely affect our business.
•  Our capital structure contains substantial indebtedness, 

which may decrease our flexibility, increase our borrowing 
costs and adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, we 
cannot provide any guaranty of future cash dividend 
payments or that we will be able to actively repurchase our 
common stock pursuant to a share repurchase program.
•  Our advertising is heavily dependent on billboards, which 

are highly regulated; our evolving marketing strategy 
involves increased advertising and marketing costs that 
could adversely affect our results of operations.

•  A material disruption in our information technology, 

network infrastructure and telecommunication systems 
could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

•  A privacy breach could adversely affect our business.
•  We outsource certain business processes to third-party 
vendors that subject us to risks, including disruptions  
in business and increased costs; our use of third party 
technologies has increased and if we are unable to maintain 
our rights to these technologies our business may be harmed.
•  Our business is somewhat seasonal and also can be affected 

by extreme weather conditions and natural disasters.
•  If we fail to execute our business strategy, which includes 

our ability to find new store locations and open new stores 
that are profitable, our business could suffer.

•  Individual store locations are affected by local conditions 

that could change and adversely affect the carrying value of 
those locations.

our failure to recognize, respond to and effectively 
manage the impact of social media could materially impact 
our business.

•  The loss of key executives or difficulties in recruiting and 

retaining qualified personnel could jeopardize our future 
growth and success.

•  We are subject to a number of risks relating to federal, 

state and local regulation of our business including the areas 
of minimum wage increases, health care reform and 
environmental matters, and an insufficient or ineffective 
response to government regulation may increase our  
costs and decrease our profit margins.

•  Our current insurance programs may expose us to unexpected 
costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our 
financial condition and results of operations.

•  Our reported results can be affected adversely and 

unexpectedly by the implementation of new, or changes in 
the interpretation of existing, accounting principles or 
financial reporting requirements.

•  Failure of our internal control over financial reporting could 

adversely affect our business and financial results.

•  Our annual and quarterly operating results may fluctuate 
significantly and could fall below the expectations of 
investors and securities analysts due to a number of factors, 
some of which are beyond our control, resulting either in 
volatility or a decline in the price of our securities.
•  Our business could be negatively affected as a result of 

actions of activist shareholders.

•  Provisions in our charter, Tennessee law and our share-

holder rights plan may discourage potential acquirers of 
our company.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   11

11

9/24/14   6:06 PM

 
CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Selected Financial Data

August 1, 2014(a) 

(Dollars in thousands except percentages and share data)
For each of the fiscal years ended
August 3, 2012(c) 

August 2, 2013(b) 

July 29, 2011(d) 

July 30, 2010(e)

$  2,683,677 
132,128 

$  2,644,630 
117,265 

$  2,580,195 
103,081 

$  2,434,435 
85,208 

$  2,404,515
85,258

5.55 
5.51 
3.25 
3.00 

32.5% 
36.0 
18.9 
12.6 
4.8 
— 
7.8 
7.1 

4.95 
4.90 
2.25 
1.90 

32.3% 
36.5 
18.2 
13.0 
5.4 
— 
7.6 
6.3 

4.47 
4.40 
1.15 
0.97 

32.1% 
36.8 
18.0 
13.1 
5.7 
— 
7.4 
5.7 

3.70 
3.61 
0.88 
0.86 

31.7% 
37.1 
18.6 
12.6 
5.7 
— 
6.9 
4.8 

3.71
3.62
0.80
0.80

31.0%
37.8
18.2
13.0
6.1
0.1
6.8
4.8

$ 
(14,789) 
  1,432,248 
4,704 
375,000 
3,239 
123,221 
528,641 

$ 
(13,873) 
  1,388,306 
— 
400,000 
11,644 
120,073 
484,026 

$ 
18,249 
  1,418,992 
20,215 
525,036 
14,166 
114,897 
382,675 

$ 
(21,188) 
  1,310,884 
— 
550,143 
51,604 
105,661 
268,034 

$ 
(73,289)
  1,292,067
—
573,744
66,281
93,822
191,617

$ 

90,564 
12,473 

$ 

73,961 
3,570 

$ 

80,170 
14,923 

$ 

77,686 
33,563 

$ 

69,891
62,487

  23,821,227 
631 

  23,795,327 
624 

  23,473,024 
616 

  22,840,974 
603 

  22,732,781
593

$ 

3,415 
873 

$ 

3,390 
869 

$ 

$ 

3,369 
863 

3,234 
837 

$ 

3,226
832

0.7% 
0.4 
609 

3.1% 
2.9 
596 

2.2% 
1.6 
591 

0.2% 
0.7 
583 

0.8%
(0.9)
569

SELECTED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Total revenue 
Net income 
Net income per share:
  Basic  
  Diluted  
Dividends declared per share 
Dividends paid per share 

AS PERCENT OF TOTAL REVENUE:
Cost of goods sold 
Labor and related expenses 
Other store operating expenses 
Store operating income 
General and administrative expenses 
Impairment and store dispositions, net 
Operating income 
Income before income taxes 

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital (deficit) 
Total assets 
Current interest rate swap liability 
Long-term debt 
Long-term interest rate swap liability 
Other long-term obligations 
Shareholders’ equity 

SELECTED CASH FLOW DATA:
Purchase of property and equipment, net 
Share repurchases 

SELECTED OTHER DATA:
Common shares outstanding at end of year 
Stores open at end of year 

AVERAGE UNIT VOLUMES (f):
Restaurant 
Retail  

COMPARABLE STORE SALES (g):
Period to period increase (decrease)   

in comparable store sales:

Restaurant 
Retail  
Memo: Number of stores in comparable base 

12

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   12

9/24/14   6:06 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)  We incurred $4,313 in costs related to the November 2013 proxy contest and April 2014 special shareholders’ meeting, which are included in general and 

administrative expenses.

(b)  We incurred $4,111 in costs related to the November 2012 proxy contest, which are included in general and administrative expenses.
(c)  Fiscal 2012 consisted of 53 weeks while all other periods presented consisted of 52 weeks. The estimated impact of the additional week was to increase 

consolidated fiscal 2012 results as follows: total revenue, $51,059; store operating income, 0.2% of total revenue; operating income, 0.2% of total revenue; net 
income, 0.2% of total revenue; and diluted net income per share, $0.27. As part of our restructuring of our field organization in April 2012, we incurred 
severance charges of $1,660, which are included in general and administrative expenses. We also incurred $5,203 in costs related to the December 2011 
proxy contest, which are also included in general and administrative expenses.

(d)   Includes impairment charges of $3,219 before taxes and pre-tax gains on store dispositions of $4,109. Our debt refinancing in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 

resulted in additional interest expense of $5,136 related to transaction fees and the write-off of deferred financing costs. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011,  
as part of our cost reduction and organization streamlining initiative, we incurred severance charges of $1,768, which are included in general and administrative 
expenses. We also incurred $404 in costs related to the December 2011 proxy contest, which are also included in general and administrative expenses.

(e)  Includes impairment charges for two stores of $2,672 before taxes.
(f)  Average unit volumes include sales of all stores. Fiscal 2012 includes a 53rd week while all other periods presented consist of 52 weeks.
(g)  Comparable store sales consist of sales of stores open at least six full quarters at the beginning of the year; and are measured on comparable calendar weeks.

MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

The following table indicates the high and low sales prices of our common stock, as reported by Nasdaq, and dividends declared 
and paid for the quarters indicated.

First 
Second   
Third  
Fourth   

s
r
a
l
l
o
D
n
I

$500

$450

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

Fiscal Year 2014 

Fiscal Year 2013 

Prices 

High 

Low 

Dividends 
Declared 

Dividends 
Paid 

Prices 

High 

Low 

Dividends 
Declared 

Dividends
Paid

$ 111.70 
  118.63 
  103.30 
  103.32 

$ 96.32 
  96.41 
  93.59 
  92.84 

$ 0.75 
  0.75 
  1.75 
  — 

$ 0.75 
  0.75 
  0.75 
  0.75 

$ 69.30 
  65.94 
  84.41 
 102.95 

$ 62.06 
  60.07 
  64.53 
  83.02 

$ 0.50 
  0.50 
  0.50 
  0.75 

$ 0.40
  0.50
  0.50
  0.50

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 
CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COU N TRY  STO R E,  I N C.
Shareholder Return Performance Graph

The graph (left) shows the changes over the
past six-year period in the value of $100
invested in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store,
Inc. Common Stock, the Standard & Poor’s
Small Cap Index, and the Standard & Poor’s
600 Restaurant Index which we believe is an
adequate peer composite for the Company.
The plotted points represent the closing price
on the last day of the fiscal year indicated
and assume the reinvestment of dividends.
The data set forth in the graph has been
provided by FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. 
S&P Small Cap

S&P 600 Restaurant

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   13

13

9/24/14   6:06 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) 
provides information which management believes is relevant 
to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated 
results of operations and financial condition. MD&A should 
be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and notes thereto. Readers also should carefully 
review the information presented under the section entitled 
“Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements in this 
report. All dollar amounts (other than per share amounts) 
reported or discussed in this MD&A are shown in 
thousands. References in MD&A to a year or quarter are to 
our fiscal year or quarter unless expressly noted or the context 
clearly indicates otherwise.

This overview summarizes the MD&A, which includes the 

following sections:
•  Executive Overview – a general description of our business, 
the restaurant and retail industries, our key performance 
indicators and the Company’s performance in 2014.
•  Results of Operations – an analysis of our consolidated 

statements of income for the three years presented in our 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

•  Liquidity and Capital Resources – an analysis of our primary 

sources of liquidity, capital expenditures and material 
commitments.

•  Critical Accounting Estimates – a discussion of accounting 
policies that require critical judgments and estimates.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (the “Company,” “our” 
or “we”) is a publicly traded (Nasdaq: CBRL) company  
that, through its operations and those of certain subsidiaries, 
is engaged in the operation and development of the  
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® (“Cracker Barrel”) 
concept. Each Cracker Barrel store consists of a restaurant 
with a gift shop. The restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and 
dinner. The gift shop area offers a variety of decorative and 
functional items specializing in rocking chairs, holiday  
gifts, toys, apparel and foods. As of September 18, 2014, the 
Company operated 633 Cracker Barrel stores located in  
42 states and had 8,473 shareholders of record.

14

Restaurant and Retail Industries

Our stores operate in both the restaurant and retail industries 
in the United States. The restaurant and retail industries  
are highly competitive with respect to quality, variety and price 
of the food products and retail merchandise offered. We 
compete with a significant number of national and regional 
restaurant and retail chains. Additionally, there are many 
segments within the restaurant industry, such  as family dining, 
casual dining, fast casual and quick service, which often 
overlap and provide competition for widely diverse restaurant 
concepts. We operate in the full-service segment of the 
restaurant industry. Competition also exists in securing prime 
real estate locations for new stores, in hiring qualified 
employees, in advertising, in the attractiveness of facilities and 
with competitors having similar menu offerings or conve-
nience. The restaurant and retail industries are often affected 
by changes in consumer taste and preference; national, 
regional or local economic conditions; demographic trends; 
traffic patterns; the type, number and location of competing 
restaurants and retailers; and consumers’ discretionary 
purchasing power.

Additionally, economic, seasonal and weather conditions 

affect the restaurant and retail industries. Adverse economic 
conditions and unemployment rates affect consumer discre-
tionary income and dining and shopping habits. Historically, 
interstate tourist traffic and the propensity to dine out  
have been much higher during the summer months, thereby 
contributing to higher profits in our fourth quarter. Retail 
sales, which are made substantially to our restaurant guests, 
are strongest in the second quarter, which includes the 
Christmas holiday shopping season. Severe weather also 
affects restaurant and retail sales adversely from time to time.

Key Performance Indicators

Management uses a number of key performance measures to 
evaluate our operational and financial performance, including 
the following:

Comparable store restaurant sales and restaurant guest traffic 

consist of sales and calculated number of guests, respectively,  

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   14

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of stores open at least six full quarters at the beginning of the 
year and are measured on comparable calendar weeks. This 
measure excludes the impact of new store openings.

Percentage of retail sales to total sales indicates the relative 

proportion of spending by guests on retail product at our 
stores and helps identify overall effectiveness of our retail 
operations. Management uses this measure to analyze a store’s 
ability to convert restaurant traffic into retail sales since we 
believe that the substantial majority of our retail customers 
are also guests in our restaurants.

Average check per guest is an indicator which management 

uses to analyze the dollars spent per guest in our stores on 
restaurant purchases. This measure aids management in 
identifying trends in guest preferences as well as the effective-
ness of menu price increases and other menu changes.

Store operating margins are defined as total revenue less 
cost of goods sold, labor and other related expenses and other 
store operating expenses, all as a percentage of total revenue. 
Management uses this indicator as a primary measure of 
operating profitability.

Company Performance in 2014

Management believes that the Cracker Barrel brand remains 
one of the strongest and most differentiated brands in the 
restaurant industry. During 2014, we focused on five key 
business priorities which were based on our previously 
announced long-term strategy.

Our long-term strategy includes the following:

•  Enhancing the core business by increasing our brand’s 

relevance to customers in order to drive guest traffic and 
sales in both restaurant and retail, implementing geographic 
pricing tiers to optimize average check and re-engineering 
store processes to increase operating margins.

•  Expanding the footprint through continued use of our 

proven site selection tools, introducing a new and more 
efficient building and equipment prototype and the 
selective entry into new markets.

•  Extending the brand by building on the initial success of our 
licensing business, leveraging our brand strengths into a 
new fast casual concept and growing our retail business into 
an omni-channel business.

Our five priorities for 2014 were to:

1)  Focus on better-for-you additions to and reinforce 

everyday value on our menu. In the first quarter of 2014, 
we rolled-out a new menu category, Wholesome Fixin’s,  
to meet our guests’ desire for additional healthy menu 
items. The Wholesome Fixin’s launch introduced nine 
complete meals for fewer than 600 calories. We believe 
that our guests responded positively to the new menu 
category. Throughout the year, we built upon the 
Wholesome Fixin’s category through our limited time 
promotional offerings. We reinforced the affordability of 
our menu by featuring two new limited time Weekday 
Lunch Special entrees at $5.99. Additionally, we continued 
to highlight our Country Dinner Plates at a $7.69 price 
point, which we believe further enhances the value 
perception of our menu.

2)  Continue messaging with our Handcrafted by  

Cracker Barrel theme in support of the brand, menu 
and merchandise. To help build awareness and  
support of the Wholesome Fixin’s roll-out, we promoted 
the menu category with new television and radio 
commercials which ran for five weeks during our first 
quarter of 2014. During the holiday season, we high-
lighted the Cracker Barrel brand and our value message 
through national cable television advertising. In support 
of the summer travel season, we again featured our 
Country Dinner Plate value messaging during a national 
television commercial campaign. Additionally, we 
continued to promote the Cracker Barrel brand through 
our more than 1,600 billboards. During the fourth 
quarter of 2014, we refreshed approximately one-fourth 
of our billboards with new price-point messaging around 
our $5.99 and $7.69 value positions at both lunch and 
dinner, respectively.

3)  Drive retail sales with improved quality and breadth of 

our merchandise assortment. During 2014, we increased 
the number of merchandise themes that we feature  
each year and shortened their time on the floor in order 
to keep the merchandise assortment fresh and new.  

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   15

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We introduced some eye-catching color themes, with 
bright décor, home goods, and women’s clothing, which 
we believe resonated well with our guests. Additionally, 
our merchandising team broadened the appeal of the 
brand by sourcing products that have seasonal appeal and 
reach across the generations and genders. Our women’s 
apparel and accessories continued to be one of our 
strongest selling categories. To build upon the strength of 
this category, we introduced women’s footwear providing 
depth to the assortment.

We believe the successful implementation of these five 

priorities resulted in our revenue growth during the year, 
positive comparable store restaurant and retail sales for the 
year with both comparable store traffic and sales out- 
performing the Knapp-Track™ Casual Dining Index for the 
year, and higher operating margin and profit as compared  
to the prior year. All of these were accomplished despite the 
pressures from widespread discounting within the restau- 
rant industry, the challenges from a continuing uncertain 
consumer environment and severe winter weather.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table highlights operating results over the past 
three years:

Relationship to Total Revenue 
2013 

2012*

2014 

Total revenue 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Labor and other 

related expenses 
Other store operating 
  expenses 
Store operating income 
General and administrative 
Operating income 
Interest expense 
Income before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 
Net income 

  100.0% 
32.5 
67.5 

  100.0% 
  32.3 
  67.7 

  100.0%
  32.1
  67.9

36.0 

  36.5 

  36.8

18.9 
12.6 
4.8 
7.8 
0.7 
7.1 
2.2 
4.9 

  18.2 
  13.0 
5.4 
7.6 
1.3 
6.3 
1.9 
4.4 

  18.0
  13.1
5.7
7.4
1.7
5.7
1.7
4.0

*  2012 consists of 53 weeks while the other periods presented consist of  

52 weeks.

4)  Apply technology and process enhancements to improve 
the employee experience, the guest experience and 
operating margins. At the beginning of 2014, we held a 
General Manager’s conference. This conference provided 
a platform for the introduction and training of several 
new technology-based programs, including the second 
phase of our labor management system. We also trained all 
of our retail managers on improved selling techniques. 
Other process and technology improvements during the 
year included an enhancement to our food production 
system to automate inventory labeling which resulted in 
increased productivity and through-put which we 
believe allows us to continue a very strong value platform. 
Guest survey responses to overall value once again 
measured a year-over-year increase.

5)  Focus on enhancing long-term total shareholder returns. 
In 2014, we increased our regular quarterly dividend, 
continued to expand our store footprint, and began 
extending the brand beyond our existing stores. In the third 
quarter of 2014, we declared a 33% increase in our 
regular quarterly dividend to $1.00. This marks the fourth 
increase in the quarterly dividend since November 2011, 
generating a total increase of 400% over that time period. 
We opened seven new Cracker Barrel stores during the 
year bringing our total store count at the end of 2014 to 
631. In the first quarter of 2014, we launched our 
licensing platform with John Morrell Food Group under 
our new trademark, CB Old Country Store™. We believe 
that our licensed products have been well received  
at the grocery stores, and at the end of 2014 we had  
19 products available through our licensing program.

16

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   16

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Total Revenue

The following table highlights the key components of revenue 
for the past three years:

2014 

2013 

2012

Revenue in dollars: (1)
  Restaurant 
  Retail 
  Total revenue 
Total revenue percentage  

increase (1) 

$ 2,137,405 
546,272 
$ 2,683,677 

$ 2,104,768 
539,862 
$ 2,644,630 

$ 2,054,127
526,068
$ 2,580,195

1.5% 

2.5% 

6.0%

Total revenue by percentage  

relationships:

  Restaurant 
  Retail 
Comparable number of stores 
Comparable store averages  
  per store: (2)
  Restaurant 
  Retail 
  Total 
Restaurant average  
  weekly sales (3) 
$ 
Retail average weekly sales (3)  

$ 

$ 

79.6% 
20.4% 
609 

79.6% 
20.4% 
596 

79.6%
20.4%
591

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,422 
871 
4,293 

65.7 
16.8 

$ 

$ 

$ 

3,409 
871 
4,280 

65.2 
16.7 

3,375
861
4,236

63.6
16.3

(1)   2012 consists of 53 weeks while the other periods presented consist of 

52 weeks.

Our comparable store restaurant sales increased from 2013 

to 2014 resulting from a higher average check of 2.6%, 
including a 2.1% average menu price increase, partially offset 
by a decrease in guest traffic of 1.9%. Our comparable store 
restaurant sales increased from 2012 to 2013 resulting from a 
higher average check of 2.5%, including a 2.2% average 
menu price increase, and an increase in guest traffic of 0.6%.
The comparable store retail sales increase from 2013 to 
2014 resulted primarily from strong performance in apparel 
and accessories and home décor merchandise categories 
partially offset by a decline in the bed and bath merchandise 
category and the decrease in guest traffic. The comparable 
store retail sales increase from 2012 to 2013 resulted primarily 
from strong performance in apparel and accessories merch- 
andise category and the increase in guest traffic.

Cost of Goods Sold

The following table highlights the components of cost of goods 
sold in dollar amounts for the past three years:

2014 

2013 

2012*

(2)   2012 is calculated on a 53-week basis while the other periods are 

calculated on a 52-week basis.

(3)   Average weekly sales are calculated by dividing net sales by operating 

weeks and include all stores.

Cost of Goods Sold:
  Restaurant 
  Retail 

  Total Cost of Goods Sold 

$ 589,390 
  283,368 
$ 872,758 

$ 571,825 
  282,859 
$ 854,684 

$ 553,478
  274,006
$ 827,484

Total revenue benefited from the opening of 7, 8 and 13 
stores in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total revenue in 
2012 also benefited from the additional week in 2012, which 
resulted in an increase in revenues of $51,059.

The following table highlights comparable store sales* 

results over the past two years:

*  2012 consists of 53 weeks while all other periods presented consist of  

52 weeks.

The following table highlights restaurant cost of goods sold as 

a percentage of restaurant revenue for the past three years:

Restaurant Cost of Goods Sold 

27.6%   

27.2% 

2014 

2013 

2012

26.9%

Restaurant 
Retail 
Restaurant & Retail 

Period to Period Increase
2014 vs 2013  2013 vs 2012 
(609 Stores)  (596 Stores)

0.7% 
0.4 
0.6 

3.1%
2.9
3.0

*  Comparable store sales consist of sales of stores open at least six full 

quarters at the beginning of the year and are measured on comparable 
calendar weeks.

The increase from 2013 to 2014 was primarily the result 

of food commodity inflation of 1.8%, a shift to higher cost 
menu items and higher food waste partially offset by our menu 
price increase referenced above. Higher cost menu items and 
higher food waste accounted for 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively, 
in restaurant cost of goods sold as a percentage of restaurant 
revenue. The increase from 2012 to 2013 was primarily the 
result of food commodity inflation of 3.4% partially offset by 
our menu price increase referenced above and a reduction  
in food waste. The reduction in food waste from 2012 to 2013 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   17

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accounted for a 0.2% decrease in restaurant cost of goods sold 
as a percentage of restaurant revenue.

We presently expect the rate of commodity inflation to be 

approximately 4% to 5% in 2015 as compared to 2014.  
We expect to partially offset the effects of food commodity 
inflation through a combination of menu price increases, 
supply contracts and other cost reduction initiatives.

The year-to-year percentage change from 2013 to 2014 

resulted from the following:

Store bonus expense 
Employee health care expenses 
Store hourly labor 

2013 to 2014 
(Decrease) as a Percentage 
of Total Revenue

(0.3%)
(0.1%)
(0.1%)

The following table highlights retail cost of goods sold as a 

Lower store bonus expense in 2014 as compared to  

percentage of retail revenue for the past three years:

Retail Cost of Goods Sold 

51.9%   

52.4% 

2014 

2013 

2013 reflected lower performance against financial objectives 
in 2014 as compared to the prior year.

The decrease in our employee health care expenses as 

2012

52.1%

The decrease in retail cost of goods sold as a percentage  

of retail revenue in 2014 as compared to 2013 resulted 
primarily from lower freight, higher initial markup on retail 
merchandise, lower shrinkage and a reduction in the 
obsolescence inventory reserve partially offset by higher 
markdowns.

Freight  
Higher initial markup on merchandise 
Retail inventory shrinkage 
Obsolescence inventory reserve 
Markdowns 

2013 to 2014 
(Decrease) Increase as a  
Percentage of Total Revenue

(0.4%)
(0.2%)
(0.1%)
(0.1%)
0.4%

The increase in retail cost of goods sold as a percentage of 

retail revenue in 2013 as compared to 2012 resulted from 
lower initial markup on retail merchandise partially offset by 
lower freight and shrinkage.

compared to the prior year is primarily the result of the 
reimbursement of approximately $4,700 for certain health 
care premiums related to the plan year ending December 31, 
2013 partially offset by higher enrollment and higher net 
premium costs related to the plan year ending December 31, 
2014. During 2014, we recorded a receivable of $6,200  
for reimbursement of certain health care premiums related to 
the plan year ending December 31, 2014 of which $3,600 
reduced employee health care expenses in 2014. We presently 
expect to record an additional reimbursement of approxi-
mately $2,000 to $4,000 in 2015 related to the plan year ending 
December 31, 2014.

The decrease in store hourly labor costs as a percentage  
of total revenue from 2013 to 2014 resulted from menu price 
increases being higher than wage inflation and improved 
productivity.

The year-to-year percentage change from 2012 to 2013 

2012 to 2013 
Increase (Decrease) as a  
Percentage of Total Revenue

resulted from the following:

0.6%
(0.2%)
(0.1%)

Store hourly labor 
Store bonus expense 

2012 to 2013 
(Decrease) Increase as a  
Percentage of Total Revenue

(0.5%)
0.2%

Lower initial markup on merchandise 
Freight  
Retail inventory shrinkage 

Labor and Related Expenses

Labor and other related expenses include all direct and 
indirect labor and related costs incurred in store operations. 
The following table highlights labor and other related expenses 
as a percentage of total revenue for the past three years:

Labor and other related expenses   

36.0% 

  36.5% 

  36.8%

 2014 

2013 

2012

18

The decrease in store hourly labor costs as a percentage  
of total revenue from 2012 to 2013 resulted from menu price 
increases being higher than wage inflation and improved 
productivity. Higher store bonus expense in 2013 as compared 
to 2012 reflected better performance against financial 
objectives in 2013 as compared to the prior year.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   18

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Other Store Operating Expenses

Other store operating expenses include all store-level 
operating costs, the major components of which are utilities, 
operating supplies, repairs and maintenance, depreciation and 
amortization, advertising, rent, credit card fees, real and 
personal property taxes and general insurance. The following 
table highlights other store operating expenses as a percent- 
age of total revenue for the past three years:

Other store operating expenses 

18.9% 

  18.2% 

  18.0%

 2014 

2013 

2012

The increase in advertising expense from 2012 to 2013 
resulted primarily from higher media spending. Higher mainte-
nance expenses resulted primarily from planned increases  
in nationally managed repair and preventative maintenance 
programs.  Lower utilities expense resulted primarily from 
lower electricity costs. 

General and Administrative Expenses

The following table highlights general and administrative 
expenses as a percentage of total revenue for the past three years:

 2014 

2013 

2012

The year-to-year percentage change from 2013 to 2014 

General and administrative expenses 

4.8% 

5.4% 

5.7%

resulted primarily from the following:

Utilities 
Advertising 
Store manager conference expense 
Maintenance 

2013 to 2014 
Increase as a Percentage 
of Total Revenue

0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%

The year-to-year percentage change from 2013 to 2014 

resulted primarily from lower incentive compensation.  
Lower incentive compensation in 2014 as compared to 2013 
resulted primarily from lower performance against financial 
objectives as compared to the prior year and a decrease in the 
price of our common stock in 2014.

The increase in utilities expense from 2013 to 2014 resulted 

The year-to-year percentage change from 2012 to 2013 

primarily from higher heating costs due to unseasonably cold 
weather experienced at many of our store locations during the 
winter months in 2014.

The increase in advertising expense from 2013 to 2014 
resulted primarily from higher media spending. We plan to 
spend approximately 2.5% of our total revenue on advertising 
in 2015 compared to 2.4% of total revenue in 2014.

In the first quarter of 2014, we held a general manager 

conference which was attended by our store operations manage- 
ment team. The last such conference was held during the 
first quarter of 2012 and the next conference is scheduled to 
be held in the first quarter of 2016.

Higher maintenance expenses resulted primarily from 
increases in lighting replacement costs, snow removal, kitchen 
equipment repairs and national inspection and repair programs.
The year-to-year percentage change from 2012 to 2013 

resulted from the following:

Advertising 
Maintenance 
Litigation settlement received in 2012 
Utilities 

2012 to 2013 
Increase (Decrease) as a  
Percentage of Total Revenue

0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
(0.1%)

resulted from the following:

Payroll and related expenses 
Manager conference expense 

2012 to 2013 
(Decrease) as a Percentage 
of Total Revenue

(0.2%)
(0.1%)

Lower payroll and related expenses in 2013 as compared to 

2012 resulted primarily from fewer store managers in training 
due to lower turnover and our opening fewer stores in 2013 as 
compared to 2012. The decrease in general and administrative 
expenses in 2013 as compared to 2012 also resulted from the 
non-recurrence of expenses associated with a biannual manager 
conference which was held in the first quarter of 2012.

Interest Expense

The following table highlights interest expense for the past 
three years:

Interest expense 

$ 17,557 

$ 35,742 

$ 44,687

2014 

2013 

2012

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   19

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The year-to-year decrease from 2013 to 2014 resulted 
primarily from lower interest rates because of the expiration 
of our seven-year interest rate swap on May 3, 2013, which  
had a fixed interest rate of 5.57% plus our credit spread and 
lower debt outstanding.

The year-to-year decrease from 2012 to 2013 resulted 
primarily from lower debt outstanding and lower interest 
rates because of a reduction in our credit spread and the 
expiration of our seven-year interest rate swap on May 3, 
2013, which had a fixed interest rate of 5.57% plus our 
credit spread.

Provision for Income Taxes

The following table highlights the provision for income taxes  
as a percentage of income before income taxes (“effective tax 
rate”) for the past three years:

Effective tax rate 

 2014 

2013 

2012

30.8% 

  29.3% 

  29.5%

The increase in our effective tax rate from 2013 to 2014 
resulted primarily from the expiration of the Work Opportu-
nity Tax Credit (“WOTC”) as of December 31, 2013. The 
decrease in our effective tax rate from 2012 to 2013 resulted 
primarily from the retroactive extension by Congress of the 
WOTC through the end of calendar 2013 partially offset by 
the increase in pretax income.

We presently expect our effective tax rate for 2015 to  
be between 32% and 33%. This estimate assumes that the 
WOTC, which expired on December 31, 2013, is not 
renewed. We estimate that the renewal of the WOTC could 
reduce our provision for income taxes by $5,000 to $6,000  
in 2015.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows for 
the last three years:

2014 

2013 

2012

Net cash provided by operating  
  activities 
Net cash used in investing  
  activities 
Net cash used in financing  
  activities 
Net (decrease) increase in cash  
  and cash equivalents 

$ 177,625 

$ 208,499 

$ 219,822

  (88,815) 

  (73,406) 

  (79,547)

  (91,167) 

  (165,337) 

  (40,587)

$  (2,357)  $  (30,244)  $  99,688

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from 

our operations and our borrowing capacity under our 
revolving credit facility. Our internally generated cash, along 
with cash on hand at August 2, 2013, was sufficient to 
finance all of our growth, dividend payments, working capital 
needs, share repurchases and other cash payment obligations 
in 2014.

We believe that cash at August 1, 2014, along with cash 

expected to be generated from our operating activities  
and the borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility 
will be sufficient to finance our continuing operations,  
our continuing expansion plans and our expected dividend 
payments for 2015.

Cash Generated from Operations

The decrease in net cash flow provided by operating activities 
from 2013 to 2014 reflected the timing of payments for 
accounts payable and higher retail inventories. Higher retail 
inventories at the end of 2014 resulted primarily from the 
early receipt of holiday and other merchandise and lower than 
anticipated sales in 2014. The decrease in net cash flow 
provided by operating activities from 2012 to 2013 reflected 
higher annual and long-term incentive bonus payments 
and related taxes made in 2013 as a result of the prior year’s 
performance and the timing of payments for income  
taxes partially offset by higher net income and the timing of 
payments for interest and accounts payable.

20

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   20

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Capital Expenditures

The following table presents our capital expenditures 
(purchase of property and equipment), net of proceeds from 
insurance recoveries, for the last three years:

Capital expenditures, net of proceeds 

from insurance recoveries 

$ 90,564 

$ 73,961 

$ 80,170

2014 

2013 

2012

Our capital expenditures consisted primarily of costs of 
new store locations and capital expenditures for maintenance 
programs. The increase in capital expenditures from 2013  
to 2014 resulted primarily from an increase in the number of 
new store locations acquired and under construction as 
compared to the prior year and higher maintenance capital 
expenditures due to our aging store base. The decrease in 
capital expenditures from 2012 to 2013 resulted primarily 
from a decrease in the number of new store locations acquired 
and under construction as compared to the prior year 
partially offset by higher capital expenditures for operational 
initiatives and maintenance programs.

We estimate that our capital expenditures during 2015 will 

be between $100,000 and $110,000. This estimate includes 
the acquisition of sites and construction costs of approximate-
ly six or seven new stores that will open during 2015, as well  
as acquisition and construction costs for store locations to be 
opened in 2016. We also expect to increase capital expendi-
tures for maintenance programs related to our aging store base 
and technology and operational improvements, which are 
intended to improve the guest experience and improve margins. 
We intend to fund our capital expenditures with cash 
generated by operations and borrowings under our revolving 
credit facility, as necessary.

Borrowing Capacity and Debt Covenants

In July 2011, we entered into a five-year $750,000 credit 
facility (the “Credit Facility”) consisting of a $250,000 term 
loan (aggregate principal amount outstanding at both 

August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013 was $187,500) and  
a $500,000 revolving credit facility (“the Revolving Credit 
Facility”). The Credit Facility expires on July 8, 2016. We 
currently plan to refinance the Credit Facility before the end 
of 2015.

The following table highlights our borrowing capacity and 

outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, 
our standby letters of credit and our borrowing availability 
under the Revolving Credit Facility as of August 1, 2014:

August 1, 2014

Borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility 
Less: Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving  
  Credit Facility 
  212,500
Less: Standby letters of credit* 
  20,637
Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility  $ 266,863

$ 500,000

*  Our standby letters of credit relate to securing reserved claims under 

workers’ compensation insurance and reduce our borrowing availability 
under the Revolving Credit Facility.

We prepaid our 2014 required principal payments under 
our term loan in 2013. As a result, we did not make any debt 
payments under our Credit Facility in 2014. We reduced  
our borrowings under our Credit Facility by $125,000 and 
$25,000 in 2013 and 2012, respectively, by making optional 
prepayments using excess cash generated from operations. 
See “Material Commitments” below and Note 5 to our Consoli-
dated Financial Statements for further information on our 
long-term debt.

The Credit Facility contains customary financial covenants, 

which include maintenance of a maximum consolidated  
total leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest 
coverage ratio. We presently are and expect to remain in 
compliance with the Credit Facility’s financial covenants for 
the remaining term of the facility.

Dividends, Share Repurchases  
and Share-Based Compensation Awards

Our Credit Facility imposes restrictions on the amount of 
dividends we are permitted to pay and the amount of shares 
we are permitted to repurchase. Provided there is no default 
existing and the total of our availability under the Revolving 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   21

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Credit Facility plus our cash and cash equivalents on hand is  
at least $100,000 (the “liquidity requirements”), we may 
declare and pay cash dividends on shares of our common 
stock and repurchase shares of our common stock if the 
aggregate amount of dividends paid and shares repurchased 
during any fiscal year is less than the sum of (1) 20% of 
Consolidated EBITDA from continuing operations (as defined 
in the Credit Facility) (the “20% limitation”) during the 
immediately preceding fiscal year and (2) provided our consol- 
idated total leverage ratio is 3.25 to 1.00 or less, $100,000 
(less the amount of any share repurchases during the current 
fiscal year). In any event, as long as the liquidity requirements 
are met, dividends may be declared and paid in any fiscal year 
up to the amount of dividends permitted and paid in the 
preceding fiscal year without regard to the 20% limitation.
During the first three quarters of 2014, we declared a 
quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share of our common stock. 
Additionally, during the third quarter of 2014, we increased 
our quarterly dividend by 33% by declaring a dividend of 
$1.00 per share payable on August 5, 2014 to shareholders of 
record on July 18, 2014.

The following table highlights the dividends per share we 

paid for the last three years:

Dividends per share paid 

2014 

$ 3.00 

2013 

$ 1.90 

2012

$ 0.97

Our current criteria for share repurchases are that they be 
accretive to expected net income per share and are within the 
limits imposed by our Credit Facility. Under our Credit 
Facility, we may repurchase shares up to a maximum amount 
of $100,000 less the amount of dividends paid provided the 
liquidity requirements are met. Subject to the limits imposed 
by the Credit Facility, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, we were 
authorized by our Board of Directors to repurchase shares at 
the discretion of management up to $50,000, $100,000 and 
$65,000, respectively.

The following table highlights our share repurchases for the 

last three years:

Shares of common stock  

repurchased 

Cost of shares repurchased 

2014 

2013 

2012

  120,000 
$  12,473 

  44,300 
$  3,570 

  265,538
$  14,923

In 2014, related tax withholding payments on certain 

share-based compensation awards exceeded proceeds received 
from the exercise of stock options which resulted in a net 
use of cash of $8,457. In 2013 and 2012, proceeds received from 
the exercise of share-based compensation awards were 
$6,454 and $17,602, respectively.

Working Capital

In the restaurant industry, substantially all sales are either for 
cash or third-party credit card. Like many other restaurant 
companies, we are able to, and often do, operate with negative 
working capital. Restaurant inventories purchased through 
our principal food distributor are on terms of net zero days, 
while other restaurant inventories purchased locally are 
generally financed through trade credit at terms of 30 days or 
less. Because of our gift shop, which has a lower product 
turnover than the restaurant, we carry larger inventories than 
many other companies in the restaurant industry. Retail 
inventories are generally financed through trade credit at terms 
of 60 days or less. These various trade terms are aided by rapid 
turnover of the restaurant inventory. Employees generally  
are paid on weekly or semi-monthly schedules in arrears for 
hours worked except for bonuses that are paid either quarterly 
or annually in arrears. Many other operating expenses have 
normal trade terms and certain expenses such as certain taxes 
and some benefits are deferred for longer periods of time.
The following table highlights our working capital:

Working capital (deficit) 

$ (14,789)  $ (13,873) 

$ 18,249

2014 

2013 

2012

The change in working capital at August 1, 2014 compared 

to August 2, 2013 primarily reflected our current maturities 
on our debt, the increase in our dividend payable, an increase 
in deferred revenue related to the sales of our gift cards and 

22

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the current portion of our interest rate swaps partially offset 
by higher retail inventory and the timing of payments for 
accounts payable and estimated income taxes. The change in 
working capital at August 2, 2013 compared to August 3, 
2012 primarily reflected a decrease in cash due to optional 
debt payments and higher dividend payments in 2013.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than various operating leases, which are disclosed more 
fully in “Material Commitments” below and Notes 2 and 9  
to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we have no other 
material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Material Commitments

Our contractual cash obligations and commitments as of 
August 1, 2014, are summarized in the tables below:

Contractual Obligations (a)  Total 

2015 

Payments due by Year
2016-2017  2018-2019  After 2019

Term loan (b) 
Revolving Credit  
  Facility (b) 
Operating leases (c) 
Purchase  
  obligations (d) 
Other long-term  
  obligations (e) 
Total contractual  

$  187,500  $  25,000  $ 162,500 

  — 

—

  212,500 
  755,649 

— 
  60,569 

—
  — 
  212,500 
  92,800  $ 83,518  $ 518,762

97,991 

  61,985 

  24,899 

  11,107 

—

34,308 

1,803 

5,912 

207 

  26,386

cash obligations 

 $1,287,948  $ 149,357  $ 498,611  $ 94,832  $ 545,148

Total 

Amount of Commitment Expirations by Year
2016-2017  2018-2019  After 2019
2015 

Revolving Credit  
  Facility (b) 
Standby letters  
  of credit (f) 
Guarantees (g) 
Total commitments 

$ 500,000 

  —  $ 500,000 

  — 

  19,567 
  20,637  $ 1,070 
235 
111 
$ 521,296  $ 1,181  $ 519,802 

659 

  — 
$ 235 
$ 235 

  —

  —
$ 78
$ 78

(a)  At August 1, 2014, the entire liability for uncertain tax positions 

(including penalties and interest) is classified as a long-term liability. 
At this time, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate  
of the amounts and timing of payments in individual years because of 
uncertainties in the timing of the effective settlement of tax positions.  
As such, the liability for uncertain tax positions of $31,391 is  
not included in the contractual cash obligations and commitments 
table above.

(b)  Our term loan is payable on or before July 8, 2016 and our Revolving 

Credit Facility expires on July 8, 2016. Even though our current credit 
facility expires in 2016, we have the intent and ability to refinance our 
debt to maintain a sufficient amount of outstanding borrowings during 
the terms of our interest rate swaps that expire in 2017, 2018 and 
2019. Using projected interest rates, we anticipate having interest 
payments of $14,821, $29,042 and $28,080 in 2015, 2016-2017 
and 2018-2019, respectively. The projected interest rates are our fixed 
rates under our interest rate swaps (see Note 6 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements) plus our current credit spread of 1.50%. Based 
on our outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, 
our standby letters of credit at August 1, 2014 and our current unused 
commitment fee as defined in the Credit Facility, our unused 
commitment fees in 2015 and 2016 would be $668 and $629; 
however, the actual amount will differ based on actual usage of the 
Revolving Credit Facility in 2015 and 2016.

(c)  Includes base lease terms and certain optional renewal periods for 

which at the inception of the lease, it is reasonably assured that we 
will exercise.

(d)  Purchase obligations consist of purchase orders for food and retail 

merchandise; purchase orders for capital expenditures, supplies, other 
operating needs and other services; and commitments under contracts 
for maintenance needs and other services. We have excluded 
contracts that do not contain minimum purchase obligations. We 
excluded long-term agreements for services and operating needs that 
can be cancelled within 60 days without penalty. We included 
long-term agreements and certain retail purchase orders for services 
and operating needs that can be cancelled with more than 60 days 
notice without penalty only through the term of the notice. We included 
long-term agreements for services and operating needs that only can  
be cancelled in the event of an uncured material breach or with a 
penalty through the entire term of the contract. Because of the uncertain-
ties of seasonal demands and promotional calendar changes, our  
best estimate of usage for food, supplies and other operating needs and 
services is ratably over either the notice period or the remaining life  
of the contract, as applicable, unless we had better information 
available at the time related to each contract.

(e)  Other long-term obligations include our Non-Qualified Savings Plan 
($25,322, with a corresponding long-term asset to fund the liability; 
see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), Deferred 
Compensation Plan ($2,868) and our long-term incentive plans 
($6,118).

(f)  Our standby letters of credit relate to securing reserved claims under 
workers’ compensation insurance and reduce our borrowing 
availability under the Revolving Credit Facility.

(g)   Consists solely of guarantees associated with lease payments for two 
properties. We are not aware of any non-performance under these 
arrangements that would result in us having to perform in accordance 
with the terms of those guarantees.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   23

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 
ADOPTED AND NOT YET ADOPTED

See Note 2 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial 
Statements for a discussion of recent accounting guidance 
adopted and not yet adopted. None of the accounting 
guidance adopted and discussed in Note 2 had a significant 
impact on our consolidated financial statements. The 
Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the 
accounting guidance discussed in Note 2 which the 
Company has not yet adopted.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in 
conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these financial 
statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions 
about future events and apply judgments that affect the 
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and 
related disclosures. We base our estimates and judgments  
on historical experience, current trends, outside advice from 
parties believed to be experts in such matters and on  
various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable 
under the circumstances, the results of which form the  
basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets 
and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other 
sources. However, because future events and their effects 
cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could 
differ from those assumptions and estimates, and such differ-
ences could be material.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 

to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Judgments and 
uncertainties affecting the application of those policies may 
result in materially different amounts being reported under 
different conditions or using different assumptions. Critical 
accounting estimates are those that:
•  management believes are most important to the accurate 
portrayal of both our financial condition and operating 
results; and

•  require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex 
judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates 
about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

24

We consider the following accounting estimates to be  

most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved 
in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements:
•  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Provision for Asset 

Dispositions

•  Insurance Reserves
•  Retail Inventory Valuation
•  Tax Provision
•  Share-Based Compensation

Management has reviewed these critical accounting 

estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee 
of our Board of Directors.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and  
Provision for Asset Dispositions

We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability  
of assets is measured by comparing the carrying value of the 
asset to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be 
generated by the asset. If the total expected future cash flows 
are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the carrying 
value is written down, for an asset to be held and used, to the 
estimated fair value or, for an asset to be disposed of, to the 
fair value, net of estimated costs of disposal. Any loss resulting 
from impairment is recognized by a charge to income. 
Judgments and estimates that we make related to the expected 
useful lives of long-lived assets and future cash flows are 
affected by factors such as changes in economic conditions 
and changes in operating performance. The accuracy of s 
uch provisions can vary materially from original estimates and 
management regularly monitors the adequacy of the 
provisions until final disposition occurs.

We have not made any material changes in our methodology 

for assessing impairments during the past three years and  
we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that 
there will be a material change in the estimates or assump-
tions used by us to assess impairment of long-lived assets. 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   24

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However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates 
and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and  
fair values of long-lived assets, we may be exposed to losses 
that could be material.

Insurance Reserves

We self-insure a significant portion of our expected workers’ 
compensation and general liability programs. We purchase 
insurance for individual workers’ compensation claims that 
exceed $250, $500 or $1,000 depending on the state in which 
the claim originates. We purchase insurance for individual 
general liability claims that exceed $500. We record a reserve 
for workers’ compensation and general liability for all 
unresolved claims and for an estimate of incurred but not 
reported claims (“IBNR”). These reserves and estimates of 
IBNR claims are based upon a full scope actuarial study 
which is performed annually at the end of our third quarter 
and is adjusted by the actuarially determined losses and actual 
claims payments for the fourth quarter. Additionally, we 
perform limited scope actuarial studies on a quarterly basis to 
verify and/or modify our reserves. The reserves and losses  
in the actuarial study represent a range of possible outcomes 
within which no given estimate is more likely than any other 
estimate. As such, we record the losses in the lower end of  
that range and discount them to present value using a risk-free 
interest rate based on projected timing of payments. We 
also monitor actual claims development, including incurrence 
or settlement of individual large claims during the interim 
periods between actuarial studies as another means of 
estimating the adequacy of our reserves.

Our group health plans combine the use of self-insured and 

fully-insured programs. Benefits for any individual (employee 
or dependents) in the self-insured group health program are 
limited. We record a liability for the self-insured portion of 
our group health program for all unpaid claims based upon a 
loss development analysis derived from actual group health 
claims payment experience. We also record a liability for 
unpaid prescription drug claims based on historical experience. 
The fully-insured portion of our health insurance program 
contains a retrospective feature which could increase or decrease 
premiums based on actual claims experience.

Our accounting policies regarding insurance reserves 

include certain actuarial assumptions and management 
judgments regarding economic conditions, the frequency  
and severity of claims and claim development history and 
settlement practices. We have not made any material changes 
in the accounting methodology used to establish our 
insurance reserves during the past three years and do not 
believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will  
be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to 
calculate the insurance reserves. However, changes in these 
actuarial assumptions or management judgments in the future 
may produce materially different amounts of expense that 
would be reported under these insurance programs.

Retail Inventory Valuation

Cost of goods sold includes the cost of retail merchandise 
sold at our stores utilizing the retail inventory method 
(“RIM”). Under RIM, the valuation of our retail inventories  
is at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by 
applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the retail value of our invento-
ries. Inherent in the RIM calculation are certain significant 
management judgments and estimates, including initial 
markons, markups, markdowns and shrinkage, which may 
significantly impact the gross margin calculation as well as  
the ending inventory valuation.

Inventory valuation provisions are included for retail 

inventory obsolescence and retail inventory shrinkage. Retail 
inventory is reviewed on a quarterly basis for obsolescence 
and adjusted as appropriate based on assumptions made  
by management and judgment regarding inventory aging and 
future promotional activities. Cost of goods sold includes  
an estimate of shrinkage that is adjusted upon physical inventory 
counts. Annual physical inventory counts are conducted 
throughout the third and fourth quarters based upon a cyclical 
inventory schedule. An estimate of shrinkage is recorded for  
the time period between physical inventory counts by using a 
three-year average of the physical inventories’ results on a 
store-by-store basis.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   25

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We have not made any material changes in the method- 
ologies, estimates or assumptions related to our merchandise 
inventories during the past three years and do not believe 
there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material 
change in the estimates or assumptions in the future. 
However, actual obsolescence or shrinkage recorded may 
produce materially different amounts than we have estimated.

Tax Provision

We must make estimates of certain items that comprise our 
income tax provision. These estimates include effective state 
and local income tax rates, employer tax credits for items 
such as FICA taxes paid on employee tip income, Work 
Opportunity and Welfare to Work credits, as well as estimates 
related to certain depreciation and capitalization policies.  
Our estimates are made based on current tax laws, the best 
available information at the time of the provision and 
historical experience.

We recognize (or derecognize) a tax position taken or 

expected to be taken in a tax return in the financial statements 
when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 
fifty percent) that the position would be sustained (or not 
sustained) upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized 
tax position is then measured at the largest amount of 
benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized 
upon ultimate settlement.

We file our income tax returns many months after our year 

end. These returns are subject to audit by various federal  
and state governments years after the returns are filed and could 
be subject to differing interpretations of the tax laws. We 
then must assess the likelihood of successful legal proceedings 
or reach a settlement with the relevant taxing authority. 
Although we believe that the judgments and estimates used in 
establishing our tax provision are reasonable, an unsuccessful 
legal proceeding or a settlement could result in material 
adjustments to our Consolidated Financial Statements and 
our consolidated financial position.

Share-Based Compensation

Our share-based compensation primarily consists of 
nonvested stock awards and performance-based market stock 
units (“MSU Grants”). Share-based compensation expense 
 is recognized based on the grant date fair value and the 
achievement of performance conditions for certain awards. 
We recognize share-based compensation expense on a 
straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is 
generally the award’s vesting period, or the date on which 
retirement eligibility is achieved, if shorter.

Compensation expense is recognized for only the portion 
of our share-based compensation awards that are expected  
to vest. Therefore, an estimated forfeiture rate is derived from 
historical employee termination behavior and is updated 
annually. The forfeiture rate is applied on a straight-line basis 
over the service (vesting) period and we update the estimated 
forfeiture rate to actual at each reporting period.

Beginning in 2014, our share-based compensation awards 
accrue dividends. Dividends will be forfeited for any share-based 
compensation awards that do not vest.

Our nonvested stock awards are time vested except for 

awards under our long-term incentive plans which also contain 
performance conditions. At each reporting period, we reassess 
the probability of achieving the performance conditions 
under our long-term incentive plans. Determining whether 
the performance conditions will be achieved involves 
judgment and the estimate of expense for nonvested stock 
awards may be revised periodically based on changes in  
our determination of the probability of achieving the perfor-
mance conditions. Revisions are reflected in the period in 
which the estimate is changed. If any performance conditions 
are not met, no shares will be granted, no compensation  
will ultimately be recognized and, to the extent previously 
recognized, compensation expense will be reversed.

Generally, the fair value of each nonvested stock award 
which does not accrue dividends is equal to the market price 
of our stock at the date of grant reduced by the present value  
of expected dividends to be paid prior to the vesting period, 
discounted using an appropriate risk-free interest rate. 

26

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Other nonvested stock awards accrue dividends and their  
fair value is equal to the market price of our stock at the date 
of grant.

In addition to providing the requisite service, MSU Grants 
contain both a market condition, total shareholder return, and 
a performance condition. Total shareholder return is defined 
as the change in our stock price plus dividends paid during 
the performance period. The number of shares awarded at the 
end of the performance period will vary in direct proportion  
to a target number of shares set at the beginning of the period, 
up to a maximum of 150% of target, based on the change in 
our cumulative total shareholder return over the period. The 
probability of the actual shares expected to be awarded is 
considered in the grant date valuation; therefore, the expense 
will not be adjusted to reflect the actual units awarded. 
However, if the performance condition is not met, no shares 
will be granted, no compensation will ultimately be recognized 
and, to the extent previously recognized, compensation 
expense will be reversed.

The fair value of our MSU Grants was determined using the 

Monte-Carlo simulation model, which simulates a range of 
possible future stock prices and estimates the probabilities of 
the potential payouts. The Monte-Carlo simulation model 
uses the average prices for the 60-consecutive calendar days 
beginning 30 days prior to and ending 30 days after the first 
business day of the performance period. This model also 
incorporates the following ranges of assumptions:
•  The expected volatility is a blend of implied volatility based 

on market-traded options on our stock and historical 
volatility of our stock over the period commensurate with 
the three-year performance period.

•  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury  
rate assumption commensurate with the three-year 
performance period.

•  The expected dividend yield is based on our current 

dividend yield as the best estimate of projected dividend 
yield for periods within the three-year performance period.
We update the historical and implied components of the 

expected volatility assumption when new grants are made.

We have not made any material changes in our estimates  
or assumptions used to determine share-based compensation 
during the past three years. We do not believe there is a 
reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in 
the future estimates or assumptions used to determine 
share-based compensation expense. However, if actual results 
are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions,  
we may be exposed to changes in share-based compensation 
expense that could be material.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES 
ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk, such as changes in interest 
rates and commodity prices. We do not hold or use derivative 
financial instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk. We have interest rate risk relative to our 

outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility. At both 
August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, our outstanding 
borrowings under our Credit Facility totaled $400,000 (see 
Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Loans 
under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our election, either 
at the prime rate or LIBOR plus a percentage point spread 
based on certain specified financial ratios. Our policy has 
been to manage interest cost using a mix of fixed and variable 
rate debt (see Notes 5, 6 and 9 to our Consolidated Financial 
Statements). To manage this risk in a cost efficient manner,  
we have entered into interest rate swaps. A summary of our 
interest rate swaps at August 1, 2014 is as follows:

Trade Date 

August 10, 2010 
July 25, 2011 
July 25, 2011 
September 19, 2011 
September 19, 2011 
December 7, 2011 
March 18, 2013 
April 8, 2013 
April 15, 2013 
April 22, 2013 
April 25, 2013 
June 18, 2014 
June 24, 2014 
July 1, 2014 

Effective Date 

May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 5, 2015 

Term 
 (in Years) 

Notional 
Amount 

2 
2 
3 
2 
2 
3 
3 
2 
2 
3 
3 
4 
4 
4 

$200,000 
50,000 
50,000 
25,000 
25,000 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
25,000 
25,000 
40,000 
30,000 
30,000 

Fixed
Rate

2.73%
2.00%
2.45%
1.05%
1.05%
1.40%
1.51%
1.05%
1.03%
1.30%
1.29%
2.51%
2.51%
2.43%

27

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The notional amount for the interest rate swap entered  
into on June 18, 2014 increases by $40,000 each May over the 
four-year term of the interest rate swap beginning in May 
2016 until the notional amount reaches $160,000 in May 2018. 
The notional amounts for the interest rate swaps entered 
into on June 24, 2014 and July 1, 2014 increase by $30,000 
each May over the four-year terms of the interest rate swaps 
beginning in May 2016 until the notional amounts each reach 
$120,000 in May 2018.

At both August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, our outstand-

ing borrowings were swapped at a weighted average interest 
rate of 3.73%, which is the weighted average fixed rate of our 
interest rate swaps plus our current credit spread. See  
Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further 
discussion of our interest rate swaps.

Commodity Price Risk. Many of the food products that 

we purchase are affected by commodity pricing and are, 
therefore, subject to price volatility caused by market conditions, 
weather, production problems, delivery difficulties and 
other factors which are outside our control and which are 
generally unpredictable.

The following table highlights the five food categories 
which accounted for the largest shares of our food purchases 
in 2014 and 2013:

Percentage of Food Purchases 

Beef  
Dairy (including eggs) 
Fruits and vegetables 
Poultry  
Pork  

2014 

  13% 
  12% 
  12% 
  11% 
  11% 

 2013

13%
12%
12%
11%
11%

Other categories affected by the commodities markets, such 

as grains and seafood, may each account for as much as 7%  
of our food purchases. While some of our food items are 
produced to our proprietary specifications, our food items are 
based on generally available products, and if any existing 
suppliers fail, or are unable to deliver in quantities required by 
us, we believe that there are sufficient other quality suppliers  
in the marketplace that our sources of supply can be replaced 
as necessary to allow us to avoid any material adverse effects 
that could be caused by such unavailability. We also recognize, 
however, that commodity pricing is extremely volatile  
and can change unpredictably even over short periods of time. 
Changes in commodity prices would affect us and our competi-
tors generally, and depending on the terms and duration of 
supply contracts, sometimes simultaneously. We enter into 
contracts for certain of our products in an effort to minimize 
volatility of supply and pricing. In many cases, or over the 
longer term, we believe we will be able to pass through some 
or much of the increased commodity costs by adjusting  
our menu pricing. From time to time, competitive circum-
stances, or judgments about consumer acceptance of  
price increases, may limit menu price flexibility, and in those 
circumstances, increases in commodity prices can result in 
lower margins.

28

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange 
Act). We maintain a system of internal controls that is 
designed to provide reasonable assurance in a cost-effective 
manner as to the fair and reliable preparation and presen- 
tation of the consolidated financial statements, as well as to 
safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition.

Our control environment is the foundation for our system 
of internal control over financial reporting and is embodied in 
our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Financial Code  
of Ethics, and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, all of 
which may be viewed on our website. They set the tone for 
our organization and include factors such as integrity and 
ethical values. Our internal control over financial reporting is 
supported by formal policies and procedures, which are 
reviewed, modified and improved as changes occur in business 
conditions and operations. Neither our disclosure controls 
and procedures nor our internal controls, however, can or will 
prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter 
how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, 
not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control 
system are met. Further, the design of a control system must 
reflect the benefits of controls relative to their costs. Because 
of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no 
evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all 
control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the 
Company have been detected.

We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our 

internal control over financial reporting based on the 
framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of  
the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review 
of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design 
effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness 
of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. We have 
concluded that our internal control over financial reporting 
was effective as of August 1, 2014, based on these criteria.
In addition, Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent 
registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation 
report on our internal control over financial reporting, 
which is included herein.

Sandra B. Cochran
President and Chief Executive Officer

Lawrence E. Hyatt
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   29

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders  
of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Lebanon, Tennessee

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets 
of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and its subsidiaries 
(the “Company”) as of August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, 
and the related consolidated statements of income, com- 
prehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash 
flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended 
August 1, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibil-
ity of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements 
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards 

of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the financial statements are free of material misstate-
ment. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence 
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting 
principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial 
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide  
a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements 
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and its subsidiaries  
as of August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, and the results of 
their operations and their cash flows for each of the three 
fiscal years in the period ended August 1, 2014, in conformity 
with accounting principles generally accepted in the  
United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards  

of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States), the Company’s internal control over finan- 
cial reporting as of August 1, 2014, based on the criteria 
established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of  
the Treadway Commission and our report dated September 25, 
2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting.

Nashville, Tennessee
September 25, 2014

30

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders  
of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Lebanon, Tennessee

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting  
of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and its subsidiaries 
(the “Company”) as of August 1, 2014, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is 
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over 
financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness 
of internal control over financial reporting, included in the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control 
over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards 

of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was 
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included 
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial 
reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, 
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness 
of internal control based on the assessed risk, and 
performing other procedures as we considered necessary in 
the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a 

process designed by, or under the supervision of, the 
company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, 
or persons performing similar functions, and effected by  
the company’s board of directors, management, and other 
personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of 
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s 
internal control over financial reporting includes those 
policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance 

of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly 
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the 
company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions 
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the 
company are being made only in accordance with authoriza-
tions of management and directors of the company; and  
(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or 
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or 
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material 
effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over 

financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or 
improper management override of controls, material misstate-
ments due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected 
on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to 
future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may 
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that 
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures 
may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material 
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of August 1, 2014, based on the criteria established in 
Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by 
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of 

the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company 
as of and for the year ended August 1, 2014, and our report 
dated September 25, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion 
on those consolidated financial statements.

Nashville, Tennessee
September 25, 2014

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   31

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands except share data)

ASSETS 
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 
Property held for sale 
Accounts receivable 
Income taxes receivable 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Deferred income taxes 
Total current assets 

Property and Equipment:
Land   
Buildings and improvements 
Buildings under capital leases 
Restaurant and other equipment 
Leasehold improvements 
Construction in progress 
Total   
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital leases 
Property and equipment – net 
Other assets 
Total   

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable 
Current maturities of long-term debt 
Taxes withheld and accrued 
Accrued employee compensation 
Accrued employee benefits 
Deferred revenues 
Dividend payable 
Current interest rate swap liability 
Other current liabilities 
Total current liabilities 
Long-term debt 
Long-term interest rate swap liability 
Other long-term obligations 
Deferred income taxes 

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 9 and 15)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock – 100,000,000 shares of $.01 par value authorized; 300,000 shares  
  designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; no shares issued 
Common stock – 400,000,000 shares of $.01 par value authorized; 2014 –  
  23,821,227 shares issued and outstanding; 2013 – 23,795,327 shares issued and outstanding 
Additional paid-in capital 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 
Retained earnings 
Total shareholders’ equity 
Total   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

32

August 1, 2014 

August 2, 2013

$  119,361 
— 
22,704 
2,973 
165,426 
11,997 
7,188 
329,649 

303,933 
767,149 
3,289 
506,323 
271,049 
15,378 
  1,867,121 
823,837 
  1,043,284 
59,315 
$ 1,432,248 

$ 

98,477 
25,000 
36,261 
60,933 
26,050 
49,825 
23,838 
4,704 
19,350 
344,438 
375,000 
3,239 
123,221 
57,709 

$  121,718
883
15,942
—
146,687
12,648
4,316
302,194

299,995
746,764
3,289
484,013
255,058
8,704
  1,797,823
771,454
  1,026,369
59,743
$ 1,388,306

$  110,637
—
35,076
62,780
24,477
44,098
17,847
—
21,152
316,067
400,000
11,644
120,073
56,496

— 

—

238 
39,969 
(4,733) 
493,167 
528,641 
$ 1,432,248 

237
51,728
(6,612)
438,673
484,026
$ 1,388,306

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   32

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands except share data)

Total revenue 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Labor and other related expenses 
Other store operating expenses 
Store operating income 
General and administrative expenses 
Operating income 
Interest expense 
Income before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 
Net income 

Net income per share – basic 
Net income per share – diluted 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

August 1, 2014 

  $  2,683,677 
872,758 
  1,810,919 
966,593 
506,533 
337,793 
129,387 
208,406 
17,557 
190,849 
58,721 
  $  132,128 

Fiscal years ended
August 2, 2013 

$  2,644,630 
854,684 
  1,789,946 
962,559 
482,601 
344,786 
143,262 
201,524 
35,742 
165,782 
48,517 
$  117,265 

  $ 
  $ 

5.55 
5.51 

$ 
$ 

4.95 
4.90 

  23,817,768 
  23,966,015 

  23,708,875 
  23,948,321 

August 3, 2012

$  2,580,195
827,484
  1,752,711
951,435
464,130
337,146
146,171
190,975
44,687
146,288
43,207
$  103,081

$ 
$ 

4.47
4.40

  23,067,566
  23,408,126

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

Net income 

Other comprehensive income before income tax expense:
  Change in fair value of interest rate swaps 
Income tax expense 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
Comprehensive income 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

August 1, 2014 

Fiscal years ended
August 2, 2013 

August 3, 2012

  $  132,128 

$  117,265 

$  103,081

3,058 
1,179 
1,879 
  $  134,007 

23,620 
9,074 
14,546 
$  131,811 

17,223
349
16,874
$  119,955

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   33

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Consolidated Statements Of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands except share data)

Balances at July 29, 2011 
Comprehensive Income:
  Net income 
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
  Total comprehensive income 
Cash dividends declared - $1.15 per share 
Share-based compensation 
Issuance of share-based compensation awards,
  net of shares withheld for employee taxes 
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of  
share-based compensation awards 

Purchases and retirement of common stock 

Balances at August 3, 2012 
Comprehensive Income:
  Net income 
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
  Total comprehensive income 
Cash dividends declared – $2.25 per share 
Share-based compensation 
Issuance of share-based compensation awards,
  net of shares withheld for employee taxes 
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of  
share-based compensation awards 

Purchases and retirement of common stock 

Common Stock 

Shares 

Amount 

Additional 
Paid-In 
Capital 

Accumulated
Other 
Comprehensive 
Loss 

Retained  
Earnings 

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

  22,840,974 

$ 228 

$  7,081 

$ (38,032) 

$ 298,757 

$ 268,034

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

  — 
  — 
  — 
  — 
  — 

— 
— 
— 
— 
  14,420 

— 
  16,874 
  16,874 
— 
— 

  103,081 
— 
  103,081 
  (26,915) 
— 

897,588 

9 

  17,593 

— 
(265,538) 

  — 
(3) 

4,502 
  (14,920) 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

  103,081
  16,874
  119,955
  (26,915)
  14,420

  17,602

4,502
  (14,923)

  23,473,024 

  234 

  28,676 

  (21,158) 

  374,923 

  382,675

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

  — 
  — 
  — 
  — 
  — 

— 
— 
— 
— 
  17,839 

— 
  14,546 
  14,546 
— 
— 

  117,265 
— 
  117,265 
  (53,515) 
— 

366,603 

4 

6,450 

— 
(44,300) 

  — 
(1) 

2,332 
  (3,569) 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

  117,265
  14,546
  131,811
  (53,515)
  17,839

6,454

2,332
(3,570)

  23,795,327 

  237 

  51,728 

  (6,612) 

  438,673 

  484,026

Balances at August 2, 2013 
Comprehensive Income:
  Net income 
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
  Total comprehensive income 
Cash dividends declared – $3.25 per share 
Share-based compensation 
Issuance of share-based compensation awards,  
  net of shares withheld for employee taxes 
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of  
share-based compensation awards 

Purchases and retirement of common stock 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

  — 
  — 
  — 
  — 
  — 

— 
— 
— 
— 
7,924 

145,900 

2 

  (8,459) 

— 
(120,000) 

  — 
(1) 

1,248 
  (12,472) 

— 
1,879 
1,879 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

  132,128 
— 
  132,128 
  (77,634) 
— 

— 

— 
— 

  132,128
1,879
  134,007
  (77,634)
7,924

(8,457)

1,248
  (12,473)

Balances at August 1, 2014 

  23,821,227 

$ 238 

$ 39,969 

$  (4,733) 

$ 493,167 

$ 528,641

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

34

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

  Depreciation and amortization 
  Loss on disposition of property and equipment 
  Share-based compensation 
  Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation 

  Changes in assets and liabilities:

  Accounts receivable 
  Income taxes receivable 
  Inventories 
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
  Other assets 
  Accounts payable 
  Taxes withheld and accrued 
  Accrued employee compensation 
  Accrued employee benefits 
  Deferred revenues 
  Other current liabilities 
  Other long-term obligations 
  Deferred income taxes 

  Net cash provided by operating activities 
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of property and equipment 
  Proceeds from insurance recoveries of property and equipment 
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 
  Net cash used in investing activities 
  Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 
  (Taxes withheld) and proceeds from issuance of share-based compensation awards, net   
  Principal payments under long-term debt and other long-term obligations 
  Purchases and retirement of common stock 
  Deferred financing costs 
  Dividends on common stock 
  Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation 
  Net cash used in financing activities 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for:

  Interest, net of amounts capitalized 
  Income taxes 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
  Capital expenditures accrued in accounts payable 
  Change in fair value of interest rate swaps 
  Change in deferred tax asset for interest rate swaps 
  Dividends declared but not yet paid 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

August 1, 2014 

Fiscal years ended
August 2, 2013 

August 3, 2012

$ 132,128 

$ 117,265 

$ 103,081

  68,389 
5,163 
7,924 
  (1,248) 

  (6,762) 
  (1,725) 
  (18,739) 
651 
  (1,701) 
  (12,160) 
1,185 
  (1,847) 
1,573 
5,727 
  (1,960) 
3,865 
  (2,838) 
  177,625 

  (91,646) 
1,082 
1,749 
  (88,815) 

— 
  (8,457) 
(1) 
  (12,473) 
— 
  (71,484) 
1,248 
  (91,167) 
  (2,357) 
  121,718 
$ 119,361 

  66,120 
4,057 
  17,839 
(2,332) 

(1,333) 
— 
(3,420) 
(1,243) 
(1,033) 
9,366 
(4,628) 
(4,143) 
(2,069) 
6,402 
6,628 
5,895 
(4,872) 
  208,499 

  (74,417) 
456 
555 
  (73,406) 

— 
6,454 
 (125,153) 
(3,570) 
— 
  (45,400) 
2,332 
 (165,337) 
  (30,244) 
  151,962 
$ 121,718 

  64,467
2,702
  14,420
(4,502)

(2,330)
7,898
(1,720)
(2,405)
(4,725)
1,592
7,369
  17,729
(2,701)
5,066
2,651
9,973
1,257
  219,822

  (80,922)
752
623
  (79,547)

  92,600
  17,602
 (117,733)
  (14,923)
(263)
  (22,372)
4,502
  (40,587)
  99,688
  52,274
$ 151,962

$  15,856 
  66,444 

$  29,959 
  47,550 

$  50,357
  18,768

$  5,767 
3,058 
  (1,179) 
  23,997 

$  6,852 
  23,620 
(9,074) 
  17,847 

$  5,778
  17,223
(349)
9,732

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   35

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands except share data)
1  DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and its affiliates 

(collectively, in the Notes, the “Company”) are principally 

engaged in the operation and development in the United 

States (“U.S.”) of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® 

(“Cracker Barrel”) concept.

2  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT  
ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Approximately 70% to 75% of retail inventories are valued 

using RIM and the remaining retail inventories are valued 

using an average cost method. See Note 4 for additional 

information regarding the components of inventory.

Valuation provisions are included for retail inventory 

obsolescence, retail inventory shrinkage, returns and 

amortization of certain items. Cost of goods sold includes  

an estimate of retail inventory shrinkage that is adjusted 

upon physical inventory counts. Annual physical inventory 

GAAP – The accompanying Consolidated Financial 

counts are conducted throughout the third and fourth 

Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally 

quarters based upon a cyclical inventory schedule. An estimate 

accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”).

of shrinkage is recorded for the time period between 

Fiscal year – The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Friday 

physical inventory counts by using a three-year average of  

nearest July 31st and each quarter consists of thirteen weeks 

the physical inventories’ results on a store-by-store basis.

unless noted otherwise. The Company’s fiscal year ended 

Property and equipment – Property and equipment are 

August 3, 2012 consisted of 53 weeks and the fourth quarter 

stated at cost. For financial reporting purposes, depre- 

of 2012 consisted of fourteen weeks. References in these 

ciation and amortization on these assets are computed by 

Notes to a year or quarter are to the Company’s fiscal year or 

use of the straight line and double declining balance 

quarter unless noted otherwise.

methods over the estimated useful lives of the respective 

Principles of consolidation – The Consolidated Financial 

assets, as follows:

Statements include the accounts of the Company and  

its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant 

intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Cash and cash equivalents – The Company’s policy is to 

consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an 

original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Property held for sale – Property held for sale consists of 

real estate properties that the Company expects to sell within 

one year and is reported at the lower of carrying amount  

Buildings and improvements 
Buildings under capital leases 
Restaurant and other equipment 
Leasehold improvements 

Years

30-45
15-25
2-10
1-35

Accelerated depreciation methods are generally used for 

income tax purposes.

Total depreciation expense and depreciation expense 

related to store operations for each of the three years are  

or fair value less costs to sell. At August 2, 2013, property held 

as follows:

for sale consisted of office space.

Accounts receivable – Accounts receivable represent 

Total depreciation expense 
Depreciation expense related to  

2014 

2013 

2012

$ 67,620 

$ 65,351 

$ 63,705

their estimated net realizable value. Accounts receivable are 

store operations* 

  62,746 

  60,574 

  58,423

*  Depreciation expense related to store operations is included in other store 

operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

written off when they are deemed uncollectible.

Inventories – Inventories are stated at the lower of cost  

or market. Cost of restaurant inventory is determined by the 

first in, first out (“FIFO”) method. Retail inventories are 

valued using the retail inventory method (“RIM”) except at 

the retail distribution center which uses average cost. 

36

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Gain or loss is recognized upon disposal of property and 

master netting agreement with that counterparty, its credit  

equipment. The asset and related accumulated depreciation 

risk exposure is based on the net exposure under the master 

and amortization amounts are removed from the accounts.

netting agreement. If, on a net basis, the Company owes  

Maintenance and repairs, including the replacement of 

the counterparty, the Company regards its credit exposure  

minor items, are charged to expense and major additions to 

to the counterparty as being zero.

property and equipment are capitalized.

The Company does not hold or use derivative instruments 

Impairment of long-lived assets – The Company assesses 

for trading purposes. The Company also does not have any 

the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or 

derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and has 

changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of 

not designated any non-derivatives as hedging instruments. 

an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is 

See Note 6 for additional information on the Company’s 

measured by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the 

derivative and hedging activities.

undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by 

Segment reporting – Operating segments are components 

the asset. If the total expected future cash flows are less than 

of an enterprise about which separate financial information  

the carrying value of the asset, the carrying value is written 

is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating 

down, for an asset to be held and used, to the estimated fair 

decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources  

value or, for an asset to be disposed of, to the fair value,  

and in assessing performance. Utilizing these criteria, the 

net of estimated costs of disposal. Any loss resulting from 

Company manages its business on the basis of one reportable 

impairment is recognized by a charge to income.

operating segment (see Note 8 for additional information 

Derivative instruments and hedging activities – The 

regarding segment reporting).

Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in interest 

Revenue recognition – The Company records revenue 

rates and commodity prices. The Company has interest rate 

from the sale of products as they are sold. The Company 

risk relative to its outstanding borrowings, which bear 

provides for estimated returns based on return history and 

interest at the Company’s election either at the prime rate or 

sales levels. The Company’s policy is to present sales in  

LIBOR plus a percentage point spread based on certain 

the Consolidated Statements of Income on a net presenta-

specified financial ratios under its credit facility (see Note 5). 

tion basis after deducting sales tax.

The Company’s policy has been to manage interest cost 

Unredeemed gift cards and certificates – Unredeemed gift 

using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. To manage this 

cards and certificates represent a liability of the Company 

risk in a cost efficient manner, the Company uses derivative 

related to unearned income and are recorded at their expected 

instruments, specifically interest rate swaps.

redemption value. No revenue is recognized in connection 

Companies may elect whether or not to offset related assets 

with the point-of-sale transaction when gift cards or gift 

and liabilities and report the net amount on their financial 

certificates are sold. For those states that exempt gift cards and 

statements if the right of setoff exists. Under a master netting 

certificates from their escheat laws, the Company makes 

agreement, the Company has the legal right to offset the 

estimates of the ultimate unredeemed (“breakage”) gift cards 

amounts owed to the Company against amounts owed by the 

and certificates in the period of the original sale and amor-

Company under a derivative instrument that exists between 

tizes this breakage over the redemption period that other gift 

the Company and a counterparty. When the Company is 

cards and certificates historically have been redeemed by 

engaged in more than one outstanding derivative transaction 

with the same counterparty and also has a legally enforceable 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   37

37

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reducing its liability and recording revenue accordingly. For 

The Company’s group health plans combine the use of  

those states that do not exempt gift cards and certificates 

self-insured and fully-insured programs. Benefits for any 

from their escheat laws, the Company records breakage in the 

individual (employee or dependents) in the self-insured 

period that gift cards and certificates are remitted to the  

program are limited. The Company records a liability  

state and reduces its liability accordingly. Any amounts remitted 

for the self-insured portion of its group health program for all 

to states under escheat or similar laws reduce the Company’s 

unpaid claims based upon a loss development analysis 

deferred revenue liability and have no effect on revenue  

derived from actual group health claims payment experience. 

or expense while any amounts that the Company is permitted 

The Company also records a liability for unpaid prescription 

to retain are recorded as revenue.

drug claims based on historical experience. The fully-insured 

Insurance – The Company self-insures a significant portion 

portion of the Company’s health insurance program  

of its workers’ compensation and general liability programs. 

contains a retrospective feature which could increase or 

The Company purchases insurance for individual workers’ 

decrease premiums based on actual claims experience.

compensation claims that exceed $250, $500 or $1,000 

Store pre-opening costs – Start-up costs of a new store are 

depending on the state in which the claim originates. The 

expensed when incurred, with the exception of rent  

Company purchases insurance for individual general 

expense under operating leases, in which the straight-line 

liability claims that exceed $500.

rent includes the pre-opening period during construction, 

The Company records a reserve for workers’ compensation 

as explained further under the “Leases” section in this Note.

and general liability for all unresolved claims and for an 

Leases – The Company’s leases are classified as either 

estimate of incurred but not reported claims (“IBNR”). These 

capital or operating leases. The Company has ground leases 

reserves and estimates of IBNR claims are based upon a  

and office space leases that are recorded as operating leases. 

full scope actuarial study which is performed annually at the 

The Company also leases its advertising billboards which are 

end of the Company’s third quarter and is adjusted by the 

recorded as operating leases. A majority of the Company’s 

actuarially determined losses and actual claims payments for 

lease agreements provide renewal options and some of these 

the fourth quarter. Additionally, the Company performs 

options contain rent escalation clauses. Additionally, some  

limited scope actuarial studies on a quarterly basis to verify 

of the leases have rent holiday and contingent rent provisions. 

and/or modify the Company’s reserves. The reserves and 

During rent holiday periods, which include the pre-opening 

losses in the actuarial study represent a range of possible 

period during construction, the Company has possession of 

outcomes within which no given estimate is more likely than 

and access to the property, but is not obligated to, and 

any other estimate. As such, the Company records the  

normally does not, make rent payments. Contingent rent is 

losses at the lower end of that range and discounts them to 

determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of 

present value using a risk-free interest rate based on projected 

specified levels. The Company records a contingent rent 

timing of payments. The Company also monitors actual 

liability and corresponding rent expense when it is probable 

claims development, including incurrence or settlement of 

sales have been achieved in amounts in excess of the speci-

individual large claims during the interim periods between 

fied levels.

actuarial studies as another means of estimating the adequacy 

The liabilities under these leases are recognized on the 

of its reserves.

38

straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life, with  

a maximum of 35 years, or the related lease life. The Company 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   38

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uses a lease life that generally begins on the date that the 

award immediately before the modification. Incremental 

Company becomes legally obligated under the lease, 

compensation expense for vested awards is recognized  

including the rent holiday periods, and generally extends 

immediately. For unvested awards, the sum of the incremental 

through certain renewal periods that can be exercised  

compensation expense and the remaining unrecognized 

at the Company’s option, for which at the inception of the 

compensation expense for the original award on the modifi-

lease, it is reasonably assured that the Company will 

cation date is recognized over the modified service period.

exercise those renewal options. This lease period is consis-

Additionally, the Company’s policy is to issue shares of 

tent with the period over which leasehold improvements  

common stock to satisfy exercises of share-based compensa-

are amortized.

tion awards.

Advertising – The Company expenses the costs of 

Income taxes – The Company’s provision for income  

producing advertising the first time the advertising takes 

taxes includes employer tax credits for FICA taxes paid on 

place. Other advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

employee tip income and other employer tax credits are 

Advertising expense for each of the three years was as 

accounted for by the flow-through method. Deferred income 

follows:

Advertising expense 

$ 63,707 

$ 59,957 

$ 56,198

2014 

2013 

2012

Share-based compensation – The Company’s share-based 

compensation consists of nonvested stock, performance-

based market stock units (“MSU Grants”) and stock options. 

Share-based compensation is recorded in general and 

administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of 

Income. Share-based compensation expense is recognized 

based on the grant date fair value and the achievement of 

performance conditions for certain awards. The Company 

recognizes share-based compensation expense on a straight-

line basis over the requisite service period, which is 

generally the award’s vesting period, or to the date on which 

retirement eligibility is achieved, if shorter.

Certain nonvested stock awards and the Company’s MSU 

Grants contain performance conditions. Compensation 

expense for performance-based awards is recognized when it 

is probable that the performance criteria will be met. If any 

performance goals are not met, no compensation expense is 

ultimately recognized and, to the extent previously recog-

nized, compensation expense is reversed.

If a share-based compensation award is modified after  

the grant date, incremental compensation expense is 

recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value 

of the modified award over the fair value of the original 

taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences 

between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for 

financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for 

income tax purposes. The Company recognizes (or derecog-

nizes) a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax 

return in the financial statements when it is more likely than 

not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the 

position would be sustained (or not sustained) upon 

examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is 

then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater 

than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate 

settlement. The Company recognizes, net of tax, interest and 

estimated penalties related to uncertain tax positions in its 

provision for income taxes. See Note 13 for additional 

information regarding income taxes.

Comprehensive income – Comprehensive income includes 

net income and the effective unrealized portion of the 

changes in the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps.

Net income per share – Basic consolidated net income  

per share is computed by dividing consolidated net income 

to common shareholders by the weighted average number  

of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. 

Diluted consolidated net income per share reflects the potential 

dilution that could occur if securities, options or other 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   39

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contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted 

guidance which limited these disclosures to derivatives, 

into common stock and is based upon the weighted average 

repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions to 

number of common and common equivalent shares out-

the extent that they are offset in the financial statements  

standing during the year. Common equivalent shares related 

or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or 

to stock options, nonvested stock awards and MSU Grants 

similar agreement. These disclosure requirements are 

issued by the Company are calculated using the treasury 

effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013 

stock method. Outstanding employee and director stock 

on a retrospective basis. The adoption of these disclosure 

options, nonvested stock awards and MSU Grants issued  

requirements in the first quarter of 2014 did not have a 

by the Company represent the only dilutive effects on diluted 

significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial 

consolidated net income per share. See Note 14 for additional 

position or results of operations.

information regarding net income per share.

Use of estimates – Management of the Company has made 

certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting  

of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent 

liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements 

and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during  

the reporting periods to prepare these Consolidated Financial 

Statements in conformity with GAAP. Management 

believes that such estimates have been based on reasonable 

and supportable assumptions and that the resulting 

estimates are reasonable for use in the preparation of the 

Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results, however, 

could differ from those estimates.

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified  
Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued accounting guidance 

which requires companies to provide information regarding 

the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other compre-

hensive income by component. A company is required to 

present, either on the face of the statement where net income 

is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified 

out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the 

respective line items of net income but only if the amount 

reclassified is required by GAAP to be reclassified to net 

income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other 

amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS  
ADOPTED

in their entirety to net income, a company is required to 

cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP 

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

that provide additional detail regarding those amounts.  

In December 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance 

which requires companies to disclose information about  

This accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning 

after December 15, 2012 on a prospective basis. Since the 

the nature of their rights of setoff and related arrangements 

guidance only affects presentation and disclosure of amounts 

associated with their financial instruments and derivative 

reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive 

instruments to enable users of financial statements to 

income, the adoption of this guidance in the first quarter  

understand the effect of those arrangements on their financial 

of 2014 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s 

position. Each company is required to provide both net  

consolidated financial position or results of operations.

and gross information in the notes to its financial statements 

for relevant assets and liabilities that are eligible for offset.  

In January 2013, the FASB issued additional accounting 

40

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS  
NOT YET ADOPTED

market participants at the measurement date. In determining 

fair value, a three level hierarchy for inputs is used. These 

Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures  
of Disposals of Components of an Entity

levels are:

•  Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets 

In April 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which 

(“Level 1”) – quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical 

changes the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued 

asset or liability in an active market.

operations and requires new disclosures about disposals  

•  Significant Other Observable Inputs (“Level 2”) – quoted 

of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals 

prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market  

that do not meet the new definition. This accounting 

or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs 

guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after 

are observable for substantially the full term of the asset 

December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years 

or liability.

on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating 

•  Significant Unobservable Inputs (“Level 3”) – unobservable 

the impact of adopting this accounting guidance, but it is not 

and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset 

expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s 

or liability.

consolidated financial position or results of operations upon 

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value 

adoption in the first quarter of 2016.

on a recurring basis at August 1, 2014 were as follows:

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which 

clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and provides a 

comprehensive model for revenue recognition. Revenue 

recognition should depict the transfer of goods or services to 

a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it 

expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. 

The guidance also requires additional disclosures about the 

nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash 

flows arising from customer contracts. This accounting 

guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after 

December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years. 

Early application is not permitted. A company may apply this 

accounting guidance either retrospectively or using the 

cumulative effect transition method. The Company is 

currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting 

guidance in the first quarter of 2018.

3  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value for certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities is 

defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or 

paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 

Cash equivalents* 
Interest rate swap asset  

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Fair Value

$ 63,068 

$  — 

$  —  $ 63,068

(see Note 6) 

  — 

240 

  — 

240

Deferred compensation  
  plan assets** 
Total assets at fair value 

Interest rate swap liability  

(see Note 6) 

Total liabilities at fair value 

  25,322 
$ 88,390 

  — 
$  240 

  — 
  25,322
$  —  $ 88,630

$  — 
$  — 

$ 7,943 
$ 7,943 

$  —  $  7,943
$  —  $  7,943

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value 

on a recurring basis at August 2, 2013 were as follows:

Fair Value
Cash equivalents* 
Interest rate swap asset  

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Fair Value

$ 57,767 

$  — 

$  —  $ 57,767

(see Note 6) 

  — 

883 

  — 

883

Deferred compensation 
  plan assets** 
Total assets at fair value 

Interest rate swap liability  

  25,263 
$ 83,030 

  — 
$  883 

  25,263
  — 
$  —  $ 83,913

(see Note 6) 

$  — 
Total liabilities at fair value  $  — 

$ 11,644 
$ 11,644 

$  —  $ 11,644
$  —  $ 11,644

  * Consists of money market fund investments.
**Represents plan assets invested in mutual funds established under a  

Rabbi Trust for the Company’s non-qualified savings plan and is included 
in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets (see Note 12).

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   41

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The Company’s money market fund investments and 

Long term debt consisted of the following at:

deferred compensation plan assets are measured at fair value 

using quoted market prices. The fair values of the Company’s 

interest rate swap asset and liabilities are determined based  

on the present value of expected future cash flows. Since the 

Company’s interest rate swap values are based on the LIBOR 

forward curve, which is observable at commonly quoted 

intervals for the full terms of the swaps, it is considered a 

Level 2 input. Nonperformance risk is reflected in determin-

ing the fair value of the interest rate swaps by using the 

Company’s credit spread less the risk-free interest rate, both 

of which are observable at commonly quoted intervals for  

the terms of the swaps. Thus, the adjustment for nonperfor-

mance risk is also considered a Level 2 input.

The fair values of accounts receivable and accounts 

payable at August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, approximate 

their carrying amounts because of their short duration.  

Revolving Credit Facility expiring  
  on July 8, 2016 
Term loan payable on or before July 8, 2016  

Current maturities 
Long-term debt 

August 1, 
2014 

  August 2,  
2013

$ 212,500 
  187,500 
  400,000 
  25,000 
$ 375,000 

$ 212,500
  187,500
  400,000
—
$ 400,000

The aggregate maturities of long term debt subsequent to 

August 1, 2014 are as follows:

Year

2015 
2016 
Total 

$  25,000
  375,000
$ 400,000

At August 1, 2014, the Company had $20,637 of standby 

letters of credit, which reduce the Company’s borrowing 

availability under the Revolving Credit Facility (see Note 15). 

At August 1, 2014, the Company had $266,863 in borrow-

The fair value of the Company’s variable rate debt, based on 

ing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility.

quoted market prices, which are considered Level 1 inputs, 

approximates its carrying amounts at August 1, 2014 and 

August 2, 2013.

4  INVENTORIES
Inventories were comprised of the following at:

Retail 
Restaurant 
Supplies 
Total 

August 1, 
2014 

  August 2,  
2013

$ 128,386 
  22,371 
  14,669 
$ 165,426 

$ 112,736
  20,214
  13,737
$ 146,687

5  DEBT
On July 9, 2011, the Company entered into a five-year 

In accordance with the Credit Facility, outstanding borrow-

ings bear interest, at the Company’s election, either at 

LIBOR or prime plus a percentage point spread based on 

certain specified financial ratios. At both August 1, 2014 and 

August 2, 2013, the Company’s outstanding borrowings  

were swapped at a weighted average interest rate of 3.73% 

(see Note 6 for information on the Company’s interest  

rate swaps).

The Credit Facility contains customary financial covenants, 

which include maintenance of a maximum consolidated  

total leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest 

coverage ratio. At August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013,  

the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

$750,000 credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) consisting of a 

The Credit Facility also imposes restrictions on the 

$250,000 term loan and a $500,000 revolving credit facility 

amount of dividends the Company is permitted to pay and 

(the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

the amount of shares the Company is permitted to  

repurchase. Provided there is no default existing and the 

Company’s availability under the Revolving Credit Facility 

42

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plus the Company’s cash and cash equivalents on hand is  

A summary of the Company’s interest rate swaps at 

at least $100,000 (the “liquidity requirements”), the 

August 1, 2014 is as follows:

Company may declare and pay cash dividends on shares of 

its common stock and repurchase shares of its common  

stock if the aggregate amount of dividends paid and shares 

repurchased in any fiscal year is less than the sum of (1) 20% 

of Consolidated EBITDA from continuing operations  

(as defined in the Credit Facility) (the “20% limitation”) and 

(2) provided the Company’s consolidated total leverage  

ratio is 3.25 to 1.00 or less, $100,000 (less the amount of any 

share repurchases during the current fiscal year) In any  

event, as long as the liquidity requirements are met, dividends 

may be declared and paid in any fiscal year up to the  

amount of dividends permitted and paid in the preceding 

fiscal year without regard to the 20% limitation.

6  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND  

HEDGING ACTIVITIES

For each of the Company’s interest rate swaps, the Company 

has agreed to exchange with a counterparty the difference 

between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by 

reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount.  

The interest rates on the portion of the Company’s outstand-

ing debt covered by its interest rate swaps is fixed at the  

rates in the table below plus the Company’s credit spread. 

The Company’s credit spread at August 1, 2014 and August 2, 

2013 was 1.50%. All of the Company’s interest rate swaps  

are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

Trade Date 

August 10, 2010 
July 25, 2011 
July 25, 2011 
September 19, 2011 
September 19, 2011 
December 7, 2011 
March 18, 2013 
April 8, 2013 
April 15, 2013 
April 22, 2013 
April 25, 2013 
June 18, 2014 
June 24, 2014 
July 1, 2014 

Effective Date 

May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2013 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 3, 2015 
May 5, 2015 

Term 
 (in Years) 

Notional 
Amount 

2 
2 
3 
2 
2 
3 
3 
2 
2 
3 
3 
4 
4 
4 

$200,000 
50,000 
50,000 
25,000 
25,000 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
25,000 
25,000 
40,000 
30,000 
30,000 

Fixed 
Rate

2.73%
2.00%
2.45%
1.05%
1.05%
1.40%
1.51%
1.05%
1.03%
1.30%
1.29%
2.51%
2.51%
2.43%

The notional amount for the interest rate swap entered into 

on June 18, 2014 increases by $40,000 each May over the 

four-year term of the interest rate swap beginning in May 2016 

until the notional amount reaches $160,000 in May 2018. 

The notional amounts for the interest rate swaps entered into 

on June 24, 2014 and July 1, 2014 increase by $30,000  

each May over the four-year terms of the interest rate swaps 

beginning in May 2016 until the notional amounts each 

reach $120,000 in May 2018.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s derivative 

instruments were as follows:

(See Note 3) 

Balance Sheet Location  August 1, 2014  August 2, 2013

Interest rate swaps 

Other assets 

Interest rate swaps 

Interest rate swaps 

Total liabilities 

Current interest rate 
swap liability
Long-term interest rate 
swap liability

$ 

240 

$  4,704 

$ 

883

$  —

  3,239 

  11,644

$  7,943 

$ 11,644

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   43

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The following table summarizes the offsetting of the 

The following table summarizes the pre-tax effects of  

Company’s derivative assets in the Consolidated Balance 

the Company’s derivative instruments on AOCL for each of 

Sheets at August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013:

the three years:

Gross Asset 
Amounts 

Liability 

  Amount Offset 

  Net Asset Amount   
Presented in 
  the Balance Sheets 

Amount of Income Recognized in 
AOCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
2013 

2014 

2012

August 1,  August 2,  August 1,  August 2,  August 1,  August 2, 

(See Note 3) 

2014 

2013 

2014 

2013 

2014 

2013

Cash flow hedges:

Interest rate swaps 

$ 3,058 

$ 23,620 

$ 17,223

Interest rate  
swaps 

$240 

$1,159 

$   —  $(276) 

$240 

$883

The following table summarizes the offsetting of the 

Company’s derivative liabilities in the Consolidated Balance 

Sheets at August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013:

  Gross Liability 

Asset 

Amounts 

  Amount Offset 

 Net Liability Amount 
Presented in 
  the Balance Sheets 

August 1,  August 2,  August 1,  August 2,  August 1,  August 2, 

(See Note 3) 

2014 

2013 

2014 

2013 

2014 

2013

Interest rate  
swaps 

$8,441  $13,120  $(498)  $(1,476)  $7,943  $11,644

The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL,  

net of tax, related to the Company’s interest rate swaps for 

the year ended August 1, 2014:

AOCL balance at August 2, 2013   
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 
Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
AOCL balance at August 1, 2014   

$ (6,612)
  6,836
  (4,957)
  1,879
$ (4,733)

The following table summarizes the pre-tax effects of the 

Company’s derivative instruments on income for each of the 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s interest rate swap 

three years:

assets and liabilities incorporate the Company’s non- 

performance risk. The adjustment related to the Company’s 

non-performance risk at August 1, 2014 and August 2, 

Cash flow hedges:

Location of Loss 
Reclassified from 
AOCL into Income  AOCL into Income (Effective Portion)
(Effective Portion) 

Amount of Loss Reclassified from  

2013 

2014 

2012

2013 resulted in reductions of $62 and $123, respectively, in 

Interest rate swaps  Interest expense  $8,068  $20,773  $35,903

the total fair value of the interest rate swap asset and liabili- 

ties. The offset to the interest rate swap assets and liabilities 

is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss 

(“AOCL”), net of the deferred tax assets, and will be reclassi-

fied into earnings over the term of the underlying debt.  

As of August 1, 2014, the estimated pre-tax portion of 

AOCL that is expected to be reclassified into earnings over 

the next twelve months is $6,014. Cash flows related to  

the interest rate swaps are included in interest expense and  

in operating activities.

The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified 

out of AOCL related to the Company’s interest rate swaps for 

the year ended August 1, 2014:

Details about AOCL 

Loss on cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps 

Tax benefit 

Affected Line Item in the
Consolidated Statement of Income

$ (8,068) 
  3,111 
$ (4,957)  Net of tax

Interest expense
Provision for income taxes 

Any portion of the fair value of the interest rate swaps 

determined to be ineffective will be recognized currently in 

earnings. No ineffectiveness has been recorded in 2014, 

2013 and 2012.

44

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7  SHARE REPURCHASES
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, subject to a maximum amount as 

specified in the table below and the limits imposed by the 

Credit Facility, the Company was authorized to repurchase 

shares at management’s discretion.

The following table summarizes our share repurchases for 

the last three years:

Maximum aggregate  
  purchase price 
Cost of shares repurchased 
Shares of common stock  

repurchased 

2014 

2013 

2012

$  50,000 
$  12,473 

$ 100,000 
$  3,570 

$  65,000
$  14,923

The following is a schedule by year of the future minimum 

rental payments required under the Company’s operating 

leases as of August 1, 2014:

Year 

2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
Later years 
Total 

Sale-Leaseback Transactions

Total

$  60,569
  48,942
  43,858
  41,592
  41,926
  518,762
$ 755,649

  120,000 

  44,300 

  265,538

In 2009, the Company completed sale-leaseback transactions 

8  SEGMENT INFORMATION
Cracker Barrel stores represent a single, integrated operation 

with two related and substantially integrated product lines. 

The operating expenses of the restaurant and retail product 

involving 15 of its owned stores and its retail distribution 

center. Under the transactions, the land, buildings and improve-

ments at the locations were sold and leased back for terms  

of 20 and 15 years, respectively. Equipment was not included. 

The leases include specified renewal options for up to 20 

lines of a Cracker Barrel store are shared and are indistinguish-

additional years.

able in many respects. Accordingly, the Company manages  

its business on the basis of one reportable operating segment. 

All of the Company’s operations are located within the 

United States.

Total revenue was comprised of the following at:

Restaurant 
Retail 
  Total revenue 

2014 

2013 

2012

$ 2,137,405 
546,272 
$ 2,683,677 

$ 2,104,768 
539,862 
$ 2,644,630 

$ 2,054,127
526,068
$ 2,580,195

The Company leases 65 of its stores pursuant to a sale-

leaseback transaction which closed in 2000. Under the 

transaction, the land, buildings and building improvements 

at the locations were sold and leased back for a term of  

21 years. The leases for these stores include specified renewal 

options for up to 20 additional years and have certain 

financial covenants related to fixed charge coverage for the 

leased stores. At August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, the 

Company was in compliance with these covenants.

9  LEASES
As of August 1, 2014, the Company operated 216 stores in 

10  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock Compensation Plans

leased facilities and also leased certain land, a retail distribu-

The Company’s employee compensation plans are adminis-

tion center and advertising billboards.

Rent expense under operating leases, including the 

tered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s 

Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Committee is 

sale-leaseback transactions discussed below, for each of the 

authorized to determine, at time periods within its discretion 

three years was:

Year 

2014 
2013 
2012 

Minimum  Contingent 

Total

$ 71,123 
  70,095 
  67,651 

$ 242 
  232 
  276 

$ 71,365
  70,327
  67,927

and subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, 

which employees will be granted awards, the number of shares 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   45

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covered by any awards granted, and within applicable limits, 

free interest rate. Other nonvested stock awards accrue 

the terms and provisions relating to the exercise and vesting of 

dividends and their fair value is equal to the market price of 

any awards.

the Company’s stock at the date of the grant. Dividends  

The Company has one active compensation plan, the  

are forfeited for any nonvested stock awards that do not vest.

2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2010 

The Company’s nonvested stock awards include its 

Omnibus Plan”), for employees and non-employee directors 

long-term performance plans which were established by the 

which authorizes the granting of nonvested stock awards, 

Committee for the purpose of rewarding certain officers  

performance-based MSU Grants, stock options and other types 

with shares of the Company’s common stock if the Company 

of share-based awards. The Company also has stock options 

achieved certain performance targets. The stock awards under 

and nonvested stock outstanding under two other compensa-

the long-term performance plans are calculated or estimated 

tion plans (“Prior Plans”) in which no future grants may  

based on achievement of financial performance measures.

be made.

The following table summarizes the performance periods 

The 2010 Omnibus Plan allows the Committee to grant 

and vesting periods for the Company’s nonvested stock awards 

awards for an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s 

under its long-term performance plans at August 1, 2014:

common stock. However, this share reserve is increased by 

shares awarded under this and Prior Plans which are forfeited, 

expired, settled for cash and shares withheld by the Company 

in payment of a tax withholding obligation. Additionally,  

this share reserve was decreased by shares granted from Prior 

Plans after July 30, 2010 until December 1, 2010. At  

Long-Term Performance Plan 
(“LTPP”) 

2013 LTPP 
2014 LTPP 

Performance Period 

Vesting Period (in Years)

2013 – 2014 
2014 – 2015 

2 or 3
2 or 3

The following table summarizes the shares that have  

been accrued under the 2013 LTPP and 2014 LTPP at 

August 1, 2014, the number of shares authorized for future 

August 1, 2014:

issuance under the Company’s active plan is 1,169,019.

The following table summarizes the number of outstand-

2013 LTPP 
2014 LTPP 

ing awards under each plan at August 1, 2014:

62,426
17,441

2010 Omnibus Plan 
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan 
2002 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan 
Total 

  254,188
  41,184
  49,948
  345,320

Types of Share-Based Awards

Nonvested Stock

Nonvested stock awards consist of the Company’s common 

stock and generally vest over 1–3 years. Generally, the fair 

value of each nonvested stock award is equal to the market 

price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant reduced  

by the present value of expected dividends to be paid prior to 

the vesting period, discounted using an appropriate risk- 

A summary of the Company’s nonvested stock activity as 

of August 1, 2014, and changes during 2014 are presented in 

the following table:

Nonvested Stock 

Unvested at August 2, 2013 
Granted   
Vested  
Forfeited  
Unvested at August 1, 2014 

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

$  59.83
  101.45
  94.29
  —
$  68.25

Shares 

    82,854 
    165,921 
   (184,710) 
— 
    64,065 

The following table summarizes the total fair value  

of nonvested stock that vested for each of the three years:

Total fair value of nonvested stock 

$ 17,417 

$ 7,445 

$ 12,981

2014 

2013 

2012

46

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Performance-Based Market Stock Units

The following assumptions were used in determining the 

The number of MSU Grants that will ultimately be awarded 

fair value for the Company’s MSU Grants:

and will vest at the end of the applicable three-year  

performance period for each annual plan is based on total 

shareholder return, which is defined as the change in the 

Company’s stock price plus dividends paid during the 

performance period. The number of shares awarded at the 

end of the performance period will vary in direct proportion 

  Year Ended

August 1, 2014  August 2, 2013  August 3, 2012

Dividend yield*** 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate range  

— 
25% 
0.7% - 0.8% 

  3.0% 
27% 
  0.3% 

  2.2%
  45%
  0.3%

*** Dividends accrue on the 2014 MSU Grants. Dividends will be forfeited  

  for any 2014 MSU Grants that do not vest.

to a target number of shares set at the beginning of the 

The following table summarizes the shares that have been 

period, up to a maximum of 150% of target, based on the 

accrued under the 2012 MSU Grants, the 2013 MSU Grants 

change in the Company’s cumulative total shareholder return 

and 2014 MSU Grants at August 1, 2014:

over the performance period. The probability of the actual 

shares expected to be earned is considered in the grant  

date valuation; therefore, the expense will not be adjusted  

to reflect the actual units earned. In addition to a service 

requirement, the vesting of the MSU Grants is also subject to 

2012 MSU Grants 
2013 MSU Grants 
2014 MSU Grants 

Stock Options

Shares

  69,438
  35,921
8,897

the achievement of a specified level of operating income 

Prior to 2012, stock options were granted with an exercise 

during the performance period. If this performance goal is 

price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock  

not met, no MSU Grants will be awarded and no compensa-

on the grant date; those option awards generally vest at a 

tion expense will be recorded.

cumulative rate of 33% per year beginning on the first 

The fair value of the MSU Grants is determined using the 

anniversary of the grant date and expire ten years from the 

Monte-Carlo simulation model, which simulates a range  

date of grant. No stock options were granted in 2012,  

of possible future stock prices and estimates the probabilities 

2013 or 2014.

of the potential payouts. This model uses the average prices 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity as  

for the 60-consecutive calendar days beginning 30 days prior 

of August 1, 2014, and changes during 2014 are presented in 

to and ending 30 days after the first business day of the 

the following table:

performance period. This model also incorporates the follow- 

ing ranges of assumptions:

•  The expected volatility is a blend of implied volatility based 

on market-traded options on our stock and historical 

volatility of our stock over the period commensurate with 

the three-year performance period.

•  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury  

Fixed Options 

Shares 

Weighted- 
Average 
Weighted-  Remaining  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Average  Contractual 
Value

Term 

Price 

Outstanding at August 2, 2013 
Granted   
Exercised 
Forfeited  
Canceled 
Outstanding at August 1, 2014 

  101,138  $ 37.12
  —
— 
  36.70
  (2,423) 
  —
— 
  (11,583) 
  40.01
  87,132  $ 36.75 

 1.95 

$ 5,220

rate assumption commensurate with the three-year 

Exercisable  

  87,132  $ 36.75 

 1.95 

$ 5,220

performance period.

•  The expected dividend yield is based on our current 

dividend yield as the best estimate of projected dividend 

yield for periods within the three-year performance period.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   47

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The following table summarizes the total intrinsic values 

of options exercised during each of the three years:

11  SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
On April 9, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted 

2014 

2013 

2012

a shareholder rights plan, as set forth in the Rights Agree-

Total intrinsic values of  
  options exercised* 

$ 169 

$ 10,526 

$ 14,859

*  The intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the 

current market value and the grant price.

Compensation Expense

The following table highlights the components of share-

based compensation expense for each of the three years:

ment dated as of April 9, 2012 by and between the Company 

and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as 

rights agent (the “Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms 

of the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared  

a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) 

for each outstanding share of common stock, par value  

$0.01 per share. The dividend was payable on April 20, 2012 

2014 

2013 

2012

to the shareholders of record as of the close of business on 

Nonvested stock awards 
MSU Grants 
Stock options 
  Total compensation expense 

$ 5,762 
  2,162 
  — 
$ 7,924 

$ 15,416 
  2,335 
88 
$ 17,839 

$ 11,440
  1,690
  1,290
$ 14,420

April 20, 2012.

The Rights

The following table highlights the total unrecognized 

compensation expense related to nonvested stock and MSU 

Grants and the weighted-average periods over which the 

expense is expected to be recognized as of August 1, 2014:

Total unrecognized compensation  
Weighted-average period in years   

  Nonvested 

Stock 

$ 1,959 
  1.69 

MSU 
Grants

$ 2,745
  1.71

The following table highlights the total income tax benefit 

recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for 

each of the three years:

The Rights initially trade with, and are inseparable from, the 

Company’s common stock. The Rights are evidenced only  

by the balances indicated in the book-entry account system 

of the transfer agent for the Company’s common stock or,  

in the case of certificated shares, the certificates that represent 

such shares of common stock. New Rights will accompany 

any new shares of common stock the Company issues after 

April 20, 2012 until the earlier of the Distribution Date, 

redemption of the Rights by the Board of Directors or the 

final expiration date of the Rights Agreement, each as 

described below.

2014 

2013 

2012

Exercise Price

Total income tax benefit 

$ 2,438 

$ 5,221 

$ 4,254

During 2014, the Company issued 145,900 shares of its 

common stock resulting from the vesting of share-based 

compensation awards and stock option exercises. Related tax 

withholding payments on certain share-based compensation 

awards exceeded proceeds received from the exercise of stock 

options which resulted in a net reduction to shareholders’ 

equity of $8,457. The excess tax benefit realized upon 

exercise of share-based compensation awards was $1,248.

Each Right will allow its holder to purchase from the Company 

one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating 

Preferred Stock (“Preferred Share”) for $200.00, once the 

Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Preferred Share 

will give the shareholder approximately the same dividend  

and liquidation rights as would one share of common stock. 

Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder any 

dividend, voting, or liquidation rights.

Based on the terms of the Rights Agreement, the Rights 

will not be exercisable until 10 days after the public 

announcement that a person or group has become an 

48

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   48

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“Acquiring Person” by obtaining beneficial ownership  

•  will entitle holders upon liquidation either to receive  

of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock 

$1.00 per share or an amount equal to the payment made 

(the “Distribution Date”). Until the Distribution Date, the 

on one share of common stock, whichever is greater.

balances in the book-entry accounting system of the transfer 

•  will have the same voting power as one share of common 

agent for the Company’s common stock or, in the case of 

stock.

certificated shares, common stock certificates, will evidence 

•  if shares of the Company’s common stock are exchanged 

the Rights, and any transfer of shares of common stock  

via merger, consolidation, or a similar transaction, will 

will constitute a transfer of Rights. After the Distribution 

entitle holders to a per share payment equal to the payment 

Date, the Rights will separate from the common stock  

made on one share of common stock.

and will be evidenced by book-entry credits or by Rights 

The value of one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share will 

certificates that the Company will mail to all eligible holders 

generally approximate the value of one share of common stock.

of common stock. Any Rights held by an Acquiring  

Person or any associate or affiliate thereof will be void and 

may not be exercised.

After the Distribution Date, each Right will generally 

entitle the holder, except the Acquiring Person or any 

associate or affiliate thereof, to acquire, for the exercise price 

of $200.00 per Right (subject to adjustment as provided  

in the Rights Agreement), shares of the Company’s common 

stock (or, in certain circumstances, Preferred Shares)  

having a market value equal to twice the Right’s then-current 

Redemption

The Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for $0.01 per 

Right at any time before any person or group becomes an 

Acquiring Person. If the Board of Directors redeems any Rights, 

it must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are 

redeemed, the only right of the holders of Rights will be to 

receive the redemption price of $0.01 per Right. The 

redemption price will be adjusted if the Company has a stock 

split or stock dividends of its common stock.

exercise price. In addition, if the Company is later acquired  

Qualifying Offer Provision

in a merger or similar transaction after the Distribution Date, 

each Right will generally entitle the holder, except the 

Acquiring Person or any associate or affiliate thereof, to acquire, 

for the exercise price of $200.00 per Right (subject to 

adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement), shares of 

the acquiring corporation having a market value equal to 

twice the Right’s then-current exercise price.

At August 1, 2014, none of the Rights were exercisable.

Preferred Share Provisions

Each one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, if issued:

•  will not be redeemable.

•  will entitle holders to quarterly dividend payments of 

$0.01 per share, or an amount equal to the dividend paid 

on one share of common stock, whichever is greater.

The Rights would also not interfere with all-cash, fully 

financed tender offers for all shares of common stock that 

remain open for a minimum of 60 business days, are subject 

to a minimum condition of a majority of the outstanding 

shares and provide for a 20 business day “subsequent offering 

period” after consummation (such offers are referred to as 

“qualifying offers”). In the event the Company receives a 

qualifying offer and the Board of Directors has not redeemed 

the Rights prior to the consummation of such offer, the 

consummation of the qualifying offer shall not cause the 

offeror or its affiliates or associates to become an Acquiring 

Person, and the Rights will immediately expire upon 

consummation of the qualifying offer.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   49

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Exchange

After a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but 

before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of the 

Contributions under both plans may be invested in various 

investment funds at the employee’s discretion. Such contri-

butions, including the Company’s matching contributions 

Company’s outstanding common stock, the Board of Directors 

described below, may not be invested in the Company’s 

may extinguish the Rights by exchanging one share of 

common stock. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company 

common stock or an equivalent security for each Right, other 

matched 25% of employee contributions for each participant 

than Rights held by the Acquiring Person.

Anti-Dilution Provisions

The Board of Directors may adjust the purchase price of the 

Preferred Shares, the number of Preferred Shares issuable and 

the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that 

may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split, a reclassifica-

tion of the Preferred Shares or common stock.

Amendments

The terms of the Rights Agreement may be amended by  

the Board of Directors without the consent of the holders of 

the Rights. After a person or group becomes an Acquiring 

Person, the Board of Directors may not amend the agreement 

in a way that adversely affects holders of the Rights.

in either plan up to a total of 6% of the employee’s compen- 

sation. Employee contributions vest immediately while 

Company contributions vest 20% annually beginning on  

the first anniversary of a contribution date and are vested 

100% on the fifth anniversary of such contribution date.

At the inception of the Non-Qualified Savings Plan,  

the Company established a Rabbi Trust to fund the plan’s 

obligations. The market value of the trust assets for the 

Non-Qualified Savings Plan of $25,322 is included in other 

assets and the related liability to the participants of $25,322 

is included in other long-term obligations in the Consoli-

dated Balance Sheets. Company contributions under both 

plans are recorded as either labor and other related expenses 

or general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated 

Statements of Income.

Expiration

The following table summarizes the Company’s contribu-

The Rights Agreement will expire on April 9, 2015.

tions for each plan for each of the three years:

12  EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS
The Company sponsors a qualified defined contribution 

retirement plan (“401(k) Savings Plan”) covering salaried 

and hourly employees who have completed ninety days  

of service and have attained the age of twenty-one. This plan 

401(k) Savings Plan 
Non-Qualified Savings Plan 

2014 

2013 

$ 2,167 
253 

$ 2,180 
241 

2012

$ 2,026
283

13  INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes for each 

allows eligible employees to defer receipt of up to 50%  

of the three years were as follows:

of their compensation, as defined in the plan. The Company 

also sponsors a non-qualified defined contribution retire-

ment plan (“Non-Qualified Savings Plan”) covering highly 

compensated employees, as defined in the plan. This plan 

allows eligible employees to defer receipt of up to 50% of 

their base compensation and 100% of their eligible bonuses, 

as defined in the plan.

2014 

2013 

2012

Current:
  Federal 
  State  
Deferred:
  Federal 
  State  
Total provision for income taxes 

$ 53,713 
  4,597 

$ 44,853 
  4,375 

$ 34,074
  7,928

  (2,863) 
  3,274 
$ 58,721 

  (4,365) 
  3,654 
$ 48,517 

886
319
$ 43,207

50

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A reconciliation of the Company’s provision for income 

Summarized below is a tabular reconciliation of the beginning 

taxes and income taxes based on the statutory U.S. federal 

and ending balance of the Company’s total gross liability  

rate of 35% was as follows:

for uncertain tax positions exclusive of interest and penalties:

Provision computed at federal  
statutory income tax rate 
State and local income taxes,  
  net of federal benefit 
Employer tax credits for FICA taxes 
  paid on employee tip income 
Other employer tax credits 
Other-net 
Total provision for income taxes 

2014 

2013 

2012

$ 66,797 

$ 58,024 

$ 51,201

  5,029 

  5,698 

  6,424

  (9,962) 
  (3,781) 
638 
$ 58,721 

  (9,635) 
  (5,927) 
357 
$ 48,517 

  (9,114)
  (4,938)
(366)
$ 43,207

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax 

liability consisted of the following at:

August 1, 2014  August 2, 2013  August 3, 2012

$ 20,972 

$ 18,098 

$ 14,167

Balance at beginning of year 
Tax positions related to the  

current year:

  3,989 
  — 

  Additions 
  Reductions 
Tax positions related to the  
  prior year:
  1,400 
  Additions 
  (1,630) 
  Reductions 
Settlements 
(755) 
Expiration of statute of limitations   (1,144) 
$ 22,832 
Balance at end of year 

  3,731 
  — 

  3,326
  —

191 
(280) 
  — 
(768) 
$ 20,972 

  2,556
  (1,043)
  —
(908)
$ 18,098

August 1, 2014  August 2, 2013

If the Company were to prevail on all uncertain tax 

Deferred tax assets:
  Compensation and employee benefits 
  Deferred rent 
  Accrued liabilities 
Insurance reserves 
Inventory 

  Other 

  Deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities:
  Property and equipment 

Inventory 

  Other 

  Deferred tax liabilities 

Net deferred tax liability 

$  10,858 
  14,900 
  13,942 
  11,944 
6,212 
3,172 
$  61,028 

$  88,543 
  13,415 
9,591 
  111,549 
$  50,521 

$  16,750
  13,535
  12,766
  12,091
5,669
4,437
$  65,248

$  94,179
  13,700
9,550
  117,429
$  52,181

The Company believes that adequate amounts of tax, 

interest and penalties have been provided for potential  

tax uncertainties; these amounts are included in other long- 

term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As  

of August 1, 2014 and August 2, 2013, the Company’s gross 

liability for uncertain tax positions, exclusive of interest  

and penalties, was $22,832 and $20,972, respectively. 

positions, the reversal of this accrual would be a tax benefit to 

the Company and impact the effective tax rate. The following 

table highlights the amount of uncertain tax positions, 

exclusive of interest and penalties, which, if recognized, would 

affect the effective tax rate for each of the three years:

Uncertain tax positions 

$ 14,840 

$ 13,631 

$ 11,764

2014 

2013 

2012

The Company had $8,559, $7,869 and $6,605 in interest 

and penalties accrued as of August 1, 2014, August 2, 2013, 

and August 3, 2012, respectively.

The Company recognized accrued interest and penalties 

related to unrecognized tax benefits of $691, $1,264 and 

$1,225 in its provision for income taxes in August 1, 2014, 

August 2, 2013 and August 3, 2012, respectively.

In many cases, the Company’s uncertain tax positions are 

related to tax years that remain subject to examination by  

the relevant taxing authorities. Based on the outcome of these 

examinations or as a result of the expiration of the statutes  

of limitations for specific taxing jurisdictions, it is reasonably 

possible that the related uncertain tax positions taken 

regarding previously filed tax returns could decrease from 

those recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions  

in the Company’s financial statements at August 1, 2014 by 

approximately $2,000 to $4,000 within the next twelve 

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   51

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months. At August 1, 2014, the Company was subject to 

ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and 

income tax examinations for its U.S. federal income taxes  

claims will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated 

after 2010 and for state and local income taxes generally 

results of operations or financial position.

after 2010.

14  NET INCOME PER SHARE AND  
  WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES

The following table reconciles the components of diluted 

earnings per share computations:

2014 

2013 

2012

The Company maintains insurance coverage for various 

aspects of its business and operations. The Company has 

elected, however, to retain all or a portion of losses that occur 

through the use of various deductibles, limits and retentions 

under its insurance programs. This situation may subject the 

Company to some future liability for which it is only partially 

insured, or completely uninsured. The Company intends  

$  132,128  $  117,265  $  103,081

to mitigate any such future liability by continuing to exercise 

shares outstanding 

  23,817,768 

 23,708,875 

 23,067,566

Net income per share  
  numerator 

Net income per share  
  denominator:
  Basic weighted average  

  Add potential dilution:
  Stock options,  

  nonvested stock  
  awards and  
  MSU Grants 
  Diluted weighted average  
shares outstanding 

prudent business judgment in negotiating the terms and 

conditions of its contracts. See Note 2 for a further discussion 

of insurance and insurance reserves.

Related to its insurance coverage, the Company is contin-

gently liable pursuant to standby letters of credit as credit 

guarantees to certain insurers. As of August 1, 2014, the 

148,247 

239,446 

340,560

Company had $20,637 of standby letters of credit related to 

  23,966,015 

 23,948,321 

 23,408,126

securing reserved claims under workers’ compensation 

15  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
During 2014 and through September 25, 2014, the Company 

was served with several claims filed as a putative collective 

action alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act 

(“FLSA”). The Company believes these claims are without 

merit and intends to vigorously defend these lawsuits. 

These proceedings remain in the early stages. At this time, 

the Company cannot reasonably estimate the likely results of 

these lawsuits or the economic effects of these lawsuits on 

the Company, though an adverse outcome could be material 

to the Company’s results of operations or financial  

position. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of Part I of this 

Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information related 

to these claims.

The Company and its subsidiaries are party to various legal 

and regulatory proceedings and claims incidental to their 

business in the ordinary course. In the opinion of manage-

ment, based upon information currently available, the 

52

insurance. All standby letters of credit are renewable annually 

and reduce the Company’s borrowing availability under its 

Revolving Credit facility (see Note 5).

As of August 1, 2014, the Company is secondarily liable 

for lease payments associated with two properties. The 

Company is not aware of any non-performance under these 

lease arrangements that would result in the Company having 

to perform in accordance with the terms of those guarantees, 

and therefore, no provision has been recorded in the 

Consolidated Balance Sheets for amounts to be paid in case 

of non-performance by the third parties by the primary 

obligors under such lease agreements.

The Company enters into certain indemnification agree-

ments in favor of third parties in the ordinary course of 

business. At August 1, 2014, the Company recorded a 

liability of $252 in the Consolidated Balance Sheet related  

to legal costs. The Company believes that the probability  

of incurring an actual liability under other indemnification 

agreements is sufficiently remote so that no additional 

liability has been recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   52

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16  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA  

  (UNAUDITED)

Quarterly financial data for 2014 and 2013 are summarized 

as follows:

2014
Total revenue 
Gross profit 
Income before  
income taxes 

Net income 
Net income per share –  
  basic   
Net income per share –  
  diluted 

2013
Total revenue 
Gross profit 
Income before  
income taxes 

Net income 
Net income per share –  
  basic   
Net income per share –  
  diluted 

1st Quarter  2nd Quarter  3rd Quarter  4th Quarter

$ 649,141  $ 698,491  $ 643,298  $ 692,747
  470,440
  443,212 

  441,791 

  455,476 

  39,830 
  27,160 

  54,235 
  37,055 

  40,886 
  28,728 

  55,898
  39,185

$ 

$ 

1.14  $ 

1.56  $ 

1.21  $ 

1.65

1.14  $ 

1.55  $ 

1.20  $ 

1.63

$ 627,451  $ 702,671  $ 640,407  $ 674,101
  463,444
  429,593 

  438,425 

  458,484 

  34,596 
  23,192 

  46,904 
  35,168 

  33,978 
  24,602 

  50,304
  34,303

$ 

$ 

0.98  $ 

1.48  $ 

1.04  $ 

1.44

0.97  $ 

1.47  $ 

1.02  $ 

1.43

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   53

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COUN TRY  STOR E,  I NC.
Corporate Officers

Sandra B. Cochran
President and Chief Executive Officer

Beverly K. Carmichael
Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer

Christopher A. Ciavarra
Senior Vice President, Marketing

Laura A. Daily
Senior Vice President, Retail

Anthony P. Guadagno
Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Michael T. Hackney
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Kathleen A. Hansen
Vice President, Retail Operations

Sandra K. Hayes
Regional Vice President, Retail Operations

Nicholas V. Flanagan
Senior Vice President, Restaurant and Retail Operations 

Ray Johnson
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Edward A. Greene
Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

Lawrence E. Hyatt
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Charlie E. Austin
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Robert E. Bowman, Jr.
Vice President, Internal Audit

Michael W. Mott
Vice President, Human Resources

Thomas R. Pate
Vice President, Training and Management Development

William M. Prentice
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Beth J. Quinn
Regional Vice President, Retail Operations

Michael J. Chissler
Vice President, Restaurant and Retail Operations Support 

Mark W. Romanko
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Brenda L. Cool
Regional Vice President, Retail Operations

Cindy M. Sasse
Regional Vice President, Retail Operations

P. Doug Couvillion
Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer

Michelle R. Scott-Ramirez
Regional Vice President, Retail Operations

Leon De Wet
Vice President, Information Services and CIO

Robert F. Doyle
Vice President, Product Development and Quality Assurance

Alan L. Emery
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Deborah A. Fratrik
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Scott A. Gardner
Vice President, Distribution and Logistics

Drew A. Germain
Vice President, Merchandise Planning and Allocation

Joshua L. Greear
Vice President, Financial and Strategic Analysis

David R. Swartling
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Walter W. Tyree
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Bart F. Vig
Regional Vice President, Restaurant Operations

Bradley G. Wahl
Vice President, Marketing

Jeffrey M. Wilson
Vice President, Operations Analysis

Michael J. Zylstra
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

54

CB Financials_8-14_03.indd   54

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CR ACKER BA R R EL OLD COU N TRY STOR E,  I NC.
Corporate Information

Corporate Offices 

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
P.O. Box 787
305 Hartmann Drive
Lebanon, TN 37088-0787
Phone:  615-444-5533
crackerbarrel.com

Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane 
Plaza Level 
New York, NY 10038

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Nashville, Tennessee

10-K Report

A copy of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Form 10-K 
Annual Report for Fiscal 2014 filed with the Securities and  
Exchange Commission, may be obtained without charge through  
our Internet website, located at crackerbarrel.com and (without 
exhibits) by writing to the Company, attention: Investor Relations.  
If requested in writing, exhibits to the Form 10-K Annual Report  
are available for a reasonable fee.

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. 
Thursday, November 13, 2014, at the Cracker Barrel  
Old Country Store home office on Hartmann Drive, Lebanon, 
Tennessee.    

Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock  
Purchase Plan

Although our company does not sponsor a dividend reinvest-
ment or direct stock purchase plan, our transfer agent, American  
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), sponsors and 
administers such programs. You may call AST at 800-485-1883  
or 718-921-8124 to obtain enrollment forms. 

Unless specifically noted otherwise, references in this annual report to “CBRL,”  
“Cracker Barrel” or “The Company” refer to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.  
and its subsidiaries; or its Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® concept.

“Cracker Barrel Old Country Store” name and logo, “Cracker Barrel”,  
“Pleasing People”, “Wholesome Fixin’s”,“Homestyle Meals with a Lighter Twist” 
and “CB Old Country Store” are trademarks of CBOCS Properties, Inc.

©2014 CBOCS Properties, Inc.