There's nothing quite as synonymous with American culture as an all-you-can-eat buffet. A mainstay of the U.S. dining experience during the '70s and '80s, buffets were a national phenomenon.

The chain's most popular commercial catch phrase ... and he chose to do it by opening up a country-style restaurant focused on serving up finger lickin' pieces of spit-roasted chicken.

Despite these hurdles, chain restaurants remain vital ... With a Southern country ethos centered on warm hospitality and home-style food, Cracker Barrel has been a roadside staple since 1969.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants are known for a certain aesthetic: Walls lined with antiques and tools, homestyle cooking and its signature peg game. But the chain is nearly a year ...