Bob Evans versus Cracker Barrel

The establishment of the interstate highway system opened an enormous market for e genuinely business and service catering to the mobile traveler. It is imperative for a national restaurant chain to design an atmosphere causing repeat business.Both track Evans Restaurants and common snapping turtle Barrel Restaurants have created similar, yet unique dining and shop experiences and continue to grow in popularity. As gas prices surge and limit highway travel these two restaurants compete head-to-head, often mere blocks away from from each one other, for the travelers patronage.The store layout of Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel sh be some basic similarities. Both are wait to be back ended restaurants with a waiting athletic field separate from the dining area. The waiting area of Bob Evans is rather pocket-sized, capable of seating less than twenty people, with additional room for standing. There is a small amount of items for sale, including candy, other foods and postcards.The wai ting area of Cracker Barrel by contrast is actually a large country store filled with a variety of country decorative items, craft-type items, decorations, and food, typically candy and other treats. Cracker Barrel advertises to the effect it is half country store and half restaurant. Bob Evans restaurants have a separate carry out entrance and waiting area, and a display case of fresh desserts.Both are chain restaurants, so make design is physically identical (exterior and interior) to others in the chain. Cracker Barrel continues the country and store theme with a large covered porch with rocking chairs for sale and a very large parking area. Bob Evans has a slightly smaller parking area, and no exterior waiting area. Both make use of professional beautify and flower/plant arrangement. Both are ADA compliant with plenty of handicapped parking.Both restaurants have very accommodating interior space so that customers are not rubbing elbows with fellow customers. Interestingly, bot h still accommodate smoking patrons, and have ample separate areas smoking sections physically set off from the main(prenominal) dining area. Bob Evans also has a counter-top sitting area with stools reminiscent of grey-headed-style diners. The center point of a Cracker Barrel restaurant is a coarse wood-burning fireplace giving much atmosphere to the dining area.Aisles in both facilities are large enough to easily maneuver a wheelchair. However, the aisles in the Cracker Barrel store area are virtually non-existent. It is better to describe the aisles as little more than crowded paths between piles and displays of merchandise.Bob Evans restaurants primarily seat patrons at booths with some tables. Cracker Barrel employs a variety of table sizes able to accommodate from two to ten people. Either restaurant will define and arrange table seating in order to accommodate large groups.The interior decorating is quite different between the two restaurants. Both are carpet in muted ton es however the wall treatment is very different. Bob Evans employs many half walls and small dividers to give a sense of privacy in the main dining area. Both restaurants employ a full wall to separate the smoking section.Cracker Barrel continues its country theme with barn wood beautify walls. It uses what detractors refer to as the SNOW principle for wall decorating expletive changed to Stuff Nailed On Walls. There is hardly a square inch between old signs, photographs, farm and kitchen implements and other items appearing to be haphazardly nailed to the paneling.In contrast, Bob Evans restaurants feature attractive and homey wall and window dcor and treatment, and feature groupings of photographs that are limited to the individual restaurants locale. Cracker Barrel has several small games for children on each table, as well as coloring book placemats.