Cracker Barrel Appoints New CEO

Restaurant-chain operator Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ:CBRL) promoted current head of operations, Sandra Cochran, to chief executive, replacing Michael Woodhouse who will leave his post in September.

The Lebanon, Tenn.-based company announced a string of management changes on Monday. It appointed James Bradford to the companys board of directors upon getting news that current directors Robert Hilton and Jimmie White will not run.

These changes are the outcome of a deliberate succession process over the past two years to prepare Cracker Barrel to continue the successes of the past five years under a new generation of leadership, said Woodhouse, noting they ensure the company is well positioned to capitalize on strength and opportunities as it manages through a challenging consumer environment and build for the future.

The changes follow the hiring in January of chief financial officer Lawrence Hyatt and the appointment of a new director in June, Coleman Peterson.

The new Cracker Barrel boss, Cochran, served five years as CEO of Books-A-Million, the nations third-largest book retailer, before joining Cracker Barrel in April 2009 as chief financial officer.

Woodhouse, who will become executive chairman, has served as chief executive since 2001. He has been chairman of the board since November 2004.

The CEO changes will become effective on September 12.