A former hostess at Cracker Barrel alleged in a TikTok video that other servers used a code word when referring to Black patrons at the restaurant.
Cracker Barrel is a Southern country-themed comfort food restaurant and store chain based in Tennessee with many of its locations found near Interstate Highway exits in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
The chain has long been accused of racism and has a shameful history of firing LGBTQ+ employees.
Kimmie, a.k.a. TikToker @cinnamnhoney, wrote in the caption:
"A waitress used to complain SO MUCH if i sat 'canadians' in her section & i was so confused bc i thought canadians were stereotyped as nice."
In the accompanying video, she revealed the word "Canadian" was code for Black people at the restaurant.
The text overlay for the clip–which had been viewed over 235,000 times since it was posted on March 6–read:
“Me, a hostess at Cracker Barrel, wondering how every employee knew a table was full of Canadians even though they didn’t have a telling accent."
Other TikTokers shared their experiences suggesting there is inherent racism in the service industry in the U.S., especially at Cracker Barrel.
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
@cinnamnhoney/TikTok
The TikToker said a patron explained to her the code, which allegedly led to a confrontation with a server who used the code word and led to her being fired.
“The anger I felt for her was insane I chewed out the waitresses that said it and was fired don’t regret a thing,” she said.
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