This is an IHeart podcast.

And we're back with our American stories.

Cracker Barrel has been an American favorite for many decades. With its classic old

country theme, there are currently over 660 stores throughout the country, the first one having

been born in Lebanon, Tennessee. But many people don't know that the decor you find on the walls

and all throughout the restaurant are unique

and authentic antique items that have been handpicked for each store. Here to tell a story of how

the idea of this restaurant came to be is Joe Stewart, the decor manager of Cracker Barrow Old Country Store. Dan Evans was the founder of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.

The spot that was determined where the Cracker Barrel was going to be built, him and some contractors actually used a stick and kind

of drawed it out in the dirt back in 1969.

The interstate was expanding and there was really no place for people to have a relaxing time

to get off the interstate or a place to eat.

So he had a vision to build an old country store to meet that need.

The name Cracker Barrow came from where crackers were sold in a barrel.

There was a lot of things back in the day that were sold in barrels like pickles, candy,

different things.

The cool thing about the Cracker Barrel that once the crackers were empty, it was usually

flipped over and a checkerboard was usually placed on top.

The reason that we have a checkerboard in our stores.

The first store actually opened on September 19, 1969, and it was located off of I-40, the interstate here on Highway 109 in Lebanon.

So that was kind of how it was born.

There was actually a couple in town who had an antique store. Their names were Don and Kathleen Singleton.

...