Maple Street Biscuit Company Closes 30 Locations as Cracker Barrel Exits the Brand
As of July 2026, Maple Street Biscuit Company has officially closed 30 locations across two waves of restructuring. The brand was sold by Cracker Barrel to Biscuit Belly LLC. While 30 stores are gone, 35 remaining locations are staying open but will undergo a total rebrand to "Biscuit Belly" over the next 18 to 24 months. If your local shop is on the conversion list, you can expect menu changes and a new loyalty program by 2028.
The landscape of the fast-casual breakfast segment has shifted significantly with the departure of a major player. Maple Street Biscuit Company, once a rapidly expanding darling of the Southeast, is undergoing a massive contraction and brand pivot. This transition follows a strategic decision by its parent company, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., to divest from the brand and refocus on its core operations.
Image source: Today Show
Which Maple Street Biscuit Company Locations Are Closing Permanently?
The exit of the brand occurred in two distinct phases. The first wave took place in September 2025, when Cracker Barrel shuttered 14 underperforming units to stabilize the brand's financials. The second wave arrived in July 2026, coinciding with the sale to Biscuit Belly LLC, resulting in 16 additional permanent closures.
According to reports from Fox Business and USA Today, these 16 locations were not included in the acquisition deal because they did not meet specific financial performance criteria or geographic requirements for the new owners.
The Final 16 Closures (July 2026)
| State | City | Address / Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Madison | Hwy 72 W |
| Florida | Brandon | W Brandon Blvd |
| Florida | Saint Johns | Racetrack Rd |
| Florida | Pembroke Pines | Pines Blvd |
| Florida | Royal Palm Beach | Southern Blvd |
| Florida | St. Augustine | Cordova St |
| Georgia | Atlanta | Howell Mill Rd |
| Ohio | Canton | Everhard Rd NW |
| Ohio | Columbus | Polaris Pkwy |
| Ohio | Worthington | High St |
| Tennessee | Brentwood | Franklin Rd |
| Tennessee | Nashville | 8th Ave S |
| Texas | Katy | S Mason Rd |
| Texas | San Antonio | Bulverde Rd |
| Texas | San Antonio | Basse Rd |
| Virginia | N. Chesterfield | Huguenot Rd |
For residents in these areas, the closure is final. These storefronts will likely be listed for lease or repurposed by other restaurant groups. The 14 locations that closed in 2025 included sites in Kentucky (Lexington) and other parts of the Southeast where traffic had dipped below sustainable levels.
Which Locations Are Staying Open and Rebranding to Biscuit Belly?
While the closures have dominated the headlines, 35 locations survived the cuts. However, their future looks very different. These 35 units were acquired by Biscuit Belly LLC and are currently in a transition phase. Over the next 18 to 24 months, these stores will be remodeled and rebranded as Biscuit Belly locations.
This move allows Biscuit Belly, a "gourmet biscuit sandwich concept" based in Louisville, Kentucky, to rapidly expand its footprint using established restaurant infrastructure. According to Chad Coulter, CEO of Biscuit Belly, the acquisition provided "established teams and footprints" that are typically difficult to build from the ground up.
Major Clusters Staying Open (For Now)
Two locations in the brand's home market will convert to Biscuit Belly by 2027.
Three high-traffic tourist locations are slated for the brand transition.
Two locations in the Tampa Bay area will remain operational during the rebrand.
Two Tennessee locations survived the 2026 closure wave and will pivot to the new brand.
The Richmond market is expected to be among the first to see the new Biscuit Belly signage.
Conversions in the Cincinnati market are reportedly beginning immediately.
Why Did Cracker Barrel Sell Maple Street Biscuit Company?
The decision to sell was primarily driven by financial underperformance and a shift in corporate strategy. Cracker Barrel originally purchased Maple Street in 2019 for $36 million, viewing it as a vehicle for growth in the fast-casual sector. However, the brand never reached the scale necessary to become a significant contributor to the parent company's bottom line.
By 2025, Maple Street accounted for less than 2% of Cracker Barrel’s total annual revenue. Furthermore, the parent company was facing its own internal struggles. Following a controversial logo change in August 2025, Cracker Barrel saw an 8% decline in guest traffic, prompting a "turnaround plan" led by CEO Julie Masino.
The Financial Breakdown
- Original Purchase Price (2019)
- $36 Million
- Impairment Charges (2025-2026)
- Estimates range from $16.2 million to $39 million in non-cash charges tied to the exit.
- Sale-Leaseback Strategy
- Cracker Barrel generated $77 million by selling 26 of its own properties to pay down debt alongside the Maple Street divestiture.
- Strategic Focus
- The exit "sharpens focus" on the core 660+ Cracker Barrel units, according to CEO Julie Masino.
As reported by TheStreet, the sale allows Cracker Barrel to shed a non-core asset that was struggling to meet financial expectations, particularly in a high-inflation environment where labor and food costs have pressured smaller fast-casual chains.
What Happens to Your Maple Street Rewards and Gift Cards?
For loyal customers, the most pressing question is the status of rewards points and gift card balances. Because Biscuit Belly and Maple Street currently operate on different Point of Sale (POS) systems, the transition is not seamless.
Pro-Tip: If you have a Maple Street gift card or a significant balance of rewards points, use them as soon as possible. While the 35 "staying open" locations will likely honor them until the physical rebrand occurs, there is no guarantee that these balances will transfer to the Biscuit Belly loyalty app once the conversion is complete.
Action Steps for Customers
- Check Your Balance: Visit a surviving location or check the Maple Street app to see your current standing.
- Spend Before Rebrand: The 18-month conversion window means some stores will change as early as late 2026. Aim to clear your balance before your local store changes its signage.
- Cracker Barrel Cards: Note that while Cracker Barrel owned the brand, their gift cards were often not interchangeable with Maple Street. If you have a Cracker Barrel card, it remains valid at all 660+ Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations.
How the Biscuit Belly Menu Compares to Maple Street Favorites
The "Squawking Goat"—a fried chicken biscuit with goat cheese medallion and pepper jelly—is widely regarded as one of the most iconic items in the fast-casual breakfast space. Fans are understandably worried about whether these signature items will survive the transition to Biscuit Belly.
Biscuit Belly is also a gourmet biscuit concept, meaning there is significant synergy between the two brands. However, Biscuit Belly has its own established menu. While they may adopt some "fan favorite" recipes from Maple Street to retain local customers, the overall flavor profile will shift toward Biscuit Belly's specific culinary style.
Menu Comparison Table
| Maple Street Signature | Biscuit Belly Equivalent | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| The Squawking Goat | The G.O.A.T. | Biscuit Belly's version often features different jelly profiles and breading styles. |
| The Five & Dime | The Boomer | Both feature gravy and egg, but Biscuit Belly leans into "loaded" toppings. |
| Frittatas / Bowls | Breakfast Bowls | Biscuit Belly offers a wider variety of grits-based bowls. |
| Maple Tap Coffee | Signature Roasts | Expect a shift in coffee sourcing and flavor notes. |
Timeline for the 18-Month Brand Transition
The transition from Maple Street to Biscuit Belly will not happen overnight. It is a phased rollout designed to minimize disruption to staff and customers.
Biscuit Belly LLC officially takes ownership of the 35 surviving units. 16 underperforming units close their doors permanently.
Pilot conversions begin in Cincinnati, OH and Richmond, VA. These stores serve as the blueprint for the rest of the fleet.
The majority of Florida and Tennessee locations undergo interior remodeling and signage changes.
The Maple Street Biscuit Company brand is expected to be fully retired, with all 35 units operating as Biscuit Belly. The goal is for the combined entity to reach 60+ units by the end of 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maple Street Biscuit Company going out of business? 1
Not entirely, but the brand as you know it is being retired. While 30 locations have closed permanently, 35 others are being converted into Biscuit Belly restaurants. By 2028, the "Maple Street" name will likely no longer exist in a commercial capacity, as the new owners pivot to their own established brand identity.
Who bought Maple Street Biscuit Company? 2
The brand and its remaining 35 assets were purchased by Biscuit Belly LLC. Biscuit Belly is a Kentucky-based fast-casual chain that specializes in gourmet biscuit sandwiches. The acquisition was part of a larger strategy by Cracker Barrel to divest from non-core brands and focus on their primary restaurant business.
Why is my local Maple Street closed while others stayed open? 3
The closures were based on "financial expectations." Locations that were not meeting specific profit margins or that were located in markets where Biscuit Belly did not see long-term growth potential were excluded from the sale. These 16 locations were shuttered because they were not considered viable for the rebranding effort.
Will the menu change when it becomes Biscuit Belly? 4
Yes, the menu will transition to the Biscuit Belly lineup. While there is a lot of overlap—both brands focus on chicken and biscuits—the specific recipes, ingredients, and signature items like the "Squawking Goat" may be replaced by Biscuit Belly's own versions, such as "The G.O.A.T." or "The Boomer."
Can I use my Cracker Barrel gift card at the new Biscuit Belly? 5
No. Once the transition to Biscuit Belly is complete, these locations will no longer be affiliated with Cracker Barrel. Cracker Barrel gift cards are only valid at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations. It is highly recommended to use any brand-specific rewards or cards before the rebrand occurs.
Key Takeaways: The Future of Maple Street
The closure and sale of Maple Street Biscuit Company marks the end of an era for the brand under Cracker Barrel's stewardship. Here is what you need to remember:
- 30 total locations have been closed permanently between 2025 and 2026.
- 35 locations are staying open but will rebrand to Biscuit Belly by 2028.
- Cracker Barrel exited the brand to refocus on its core business after an 8% traffic decline.
- Biscuit Belly aims to use these locations to reach a goal of 60+ units nationwide.
- Gift cards and rewards should be used immediately at surviving locations before the rebrand.
- Menu changes are inevitable as the new owners implement their own gourmet biscuit recipes.
If you are a fan of the brand, check the closure list to see if your local store is among the 16 final exits or the 35 rebranding survivors.