Cracker Barrel settles Maryland disability case
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights announced a settlement with Cracker Barrel over allegations that 11 special education students from Dr. James Craik Elementary School were mistreated during a December 2024 field trip meal at a Waldorf location. Each student will receive $7,500 and a meal refund, Cracker Barrel will donate $17,500 to the school’s technology programs for students with developmental disabilities and $9,000 to Maryland’s Civil Rights Enforcement Fund, and the chain agreed to revise and strengthen its policies.
📌 Key Facts
- Incident involved 11 special education students during a Dec. 2024 field trip meal at Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Maryland.
- Settlement announced Dec. 8, 2025 by AG Anthony Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
- Payouts: $7,500 to each student plus meal refunds; $17,500 donation to the school’s tech programs; $9,000 to the Civil Rights Enforcement Fund.
- Cracker Barrel agreed to revise and strengthen company policies tied to inclusion and accessibility.