UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2019

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

305 Hartmann Drive, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code)

(615) 444-5533

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

On January 14, 2019, the Company issued the press release that is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and that is incorporated by reference into this Item, announcing that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”) had elected Carl T. Berquist, effective as of January 14, 2019, to serve as a director until the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant thereto and to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws and in accordance with its Amended and Restated Charter, the Board increased the size of the Board from nine to ten members, effective with Mr. Berquist’s appointment. Mr. Berquist has not yet been appointed to any committees of the Board.

Mr. Berquist will receive compensation as an outside director generally in accordance with the Company’s outside director compensation practices described in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2018. The initial annual retainer and equity grant to be received by Mr. Berquist will be prorated for his period of service during the year in which he was elected to the Board.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Berquist, on the one hand, and any other persons, on the other hand, pursuant to which Mr. Berquist was selected as a director of the Company. Mr. Berquist has no family relationships with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers. Mr. Berquist has not been a party to any transactions that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release issued by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. dated January 14, 2019.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit 99.1

Media Contact:

Heidi Pearce

heidi.pearce@crackerbarrel.com

(615) 235-4315

Investor Contact:

Jessica Hazel

jessica.hazel@crackerbarrel.com

(615) 235-4367

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® Elects Carl Berquist to Board of Directors

LEBANON, Tenn. (Jan. 14, 2019) – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® (Nasdaq: CBRL) today announced that Carl Berquist has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Berquist is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Marriott International, Inc., a position from which he retired in December 2015.

Mr. Berquist brings extensive hospitality experience and financial expertise to Cracker Barrel. Prior to serving for nearly seven years as the CFO of Marriott, he was Marriott’s Executive Vice President, Financial Information and Enterprise Risk Management. He joined Marriott in 2002 after a 28 year career with Arthur Andersen & Co., for which he served in a variety of leadership roles, including the firm’s Global Real Estate and Hospitality Industry Head.

“We’re delighted to have Carl join our Board and consider it a testament to the strength of our company and leadership that we were able to attract someone of Carl’s caliber to Cracker Barrel,” said Cracker Barrel Chairman of the Board James W. Bradford. “Carl’s deep financial acumen and his experience as the CFO of one of the world’s most respected hospitality companies will benefit Cracker Barrel, our Board and our management team.”

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) shares warm welcomes and friendly service while offering guests quality homestyle food and unique shopping – all at a fair price. By creating a world filled with hospitality and charm through an experience that combines dining and shopping, guests are cared for like family. Established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., Cracker Barrel and its affiliates operate 657 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store^® locations in 45 states and own the fast-casual Holler and Dash^® restaurants. For more information about the company, visit crackerbarrel.com.

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