Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Donates $152,000 to the USO

LEBANON, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The numbers tell the story as bidding and buying come to a close for the second annual The Four-Star Salute™, an online charity auction, in-store promotion and online sweepstakes sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® to support military families.

A total of 935 bids were received on 87 auction items during the 15-day online auction. $60,000 was raised to be donated to the USO, a nonprofit dedicated to lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is also donating $92,000 from the proceeds of select Coca-Cola® branded products from the in-store portion of this promotion for a total of $152,000 being donated to the USO.

"Through the years, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has remained committed to serving our country's military men, women and their families," said Cracker Barrel Old Country Store senior vice president of marketing, Chris Ciavarra. "The Four-Star Salute is one way we accomplish this – and our customers once again stepped up to have an impact that extends well beyond the walls of our restaurants and stores."

The public bid on auction items at FourStarSalute.org from May 11-26. The top auction package this year was the Universal Music Experience with 1084 page views and 55 bids. This package sold for $3,626. It included 2 CMA Festival passes, 2 night hotel stay in Nashville, roundtrip airfare and a behind the scenes tour of Universal Music Group Nashville.

"It is wonderful to see how Cracker Barrel's customers have been able to support troops and their families through The Four-Star Salute," said Christy Hartsell, USO Vice President of Corporate Alliances. "We want everyone who supported us through this effort to know that their generosity will allow the USO to continue to provide the programs our military families have come to depend on."

The USO's programs and services help America's military community at more than 160 worldwide locations. The funds raised by Cracker Barrel's auction will be used for USO programs that support military families, like the USO/Stronger Families Oxygen Seminars, which help military couples strengthen their relationships as they work on touch issues in a fun and nonthreatening environment. Additional USO programs help military families remain resilient, confident and connected throughout their journey in the military.

Through the first two years of The Four-Star Salute, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will have donated a combined total of $240, 000 to military charities. In 2014, The Four State Salute benefited the National Military Family Association, a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and protect the families of our veterans through its Operation Purple® Family Retreats program. Cracker Barrel's annual charity event is coordinated to coincide with National Military Month.

About Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that's surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America's country heritage…all at a fair price. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. CBRL was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 634 company-owned locations in 42 states. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.

About the USO

The USO lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors, troops in transition and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

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