Cracker Barrel Launches Four-Star Salute

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

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. launched today an online auction in support of the company's effort of strengthening the bonds of military families. The Four-Star Salute: Cracker Barrel's Military Family Online Charity Auction www.fourstarsalute.org runs through July 7 and will benefit the National Military Family Association. Cracker Barrel is donating 100% of the proceeds from the Four-Star Salute online auction to the Operation Purple® Family Retreats program.

“Our continued support of the military men and women who have served our country is an important part of our company's history, and like the National Military Family Association, we take great pride in creating environments that help families gather, make memories and connect with one another,” said Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., President and CEO Sandra B. Cochran, a former Captain in the U.S. Army. “This online auction that kicks off during National Military Appreciation Month is another example of our commitment to military families and a way for us to open the door to our guests to join us in supporting them.”

The Cracker Barrel Foundation has pledged $100,000 to the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple® Family Retreats program which is designed to help families to reconnect after experiencing the stresses surrounding a deployment.

The first Cracker Barrel Foundation sponsored Operation Purple® Family Retreat was held earlier this month near Asheville, North Carolina, where families were able to reconnect for several days bonding over fun, family-oriented activities.

“Military families are the nation's families, and we have an obligation to take care of them.” said Joyce Wessel Raezer, Executive Director of the National Military Family Association. “Cracker Barrel's support of our Operation Purple retreats is critical in our effort to help military families recover from deployments and rekindle their family bonds.”

The public can bid on auction items and enter a sweepstakes at FourStarSalute.org. The first auction round begins May 21 at 11 a.m. (CT) and ends May 30 at 10:59 a.m. (CT).

The categories for the auction include:

Experience- for example, four roundtrip airline tickets, six nights at the Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel with spa service for two or dinner for four at the park, four Disney World tickets (four day Hopper tickers, four SeaWorld tickets and four general admission tickets to Universal Studios). The other weekly categories include Music, Sports, Cracker Barrel Items, Rotating Targets, Various Other Items and Sweepstakes.

There are five auction rounds. Each round will have new items and unique experiences to bid on. Dates for additional auction rounds are:

• Round 1				May 21-31
• Round 2				June 1- June 8
• Round 3				June 8-17
• Round 4				June 17-26
• Round 5				June 26-July 7

Guests who do not bid on auction items can still enter for a chance to win prizes in the Four-Star Salute sweepstakes at FourStarSalute.org. Additional entries into the sweepstakes are awarded by sharing on social media. There will be five drawings set to occur on 6/01/14, 6/12/14, 6/23/14, 7/04/14 and 7/08/14. Two sweepstakes winners will be randomly selected from entries received at each drawing. The winner(s) in each drawing will be selected at random from among all eligible entries received. All non-winning entries in any drawing remain eligible for any subsequent drawing(s) during the sweepstakes.

About National Military Family Association

Military families serve our country with pride, honor, and quiet dedication. The National Military Family Association (NMFA) is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening and protecting the families of the men and women currently serving, retired, wounded or fallen. NMFA provides families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA with information and offers programs that improve their lives. NMFA's 44 years of service and accomplishments is a valuable resource for military families. To learn more, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org.

About Operation Purple® Family Retreats

Operation Purple® Family Retreats are designed to help families reconnect after experiencing the stresses surrounding a deployment. They are a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, try new things, make friends, and enjoy quality time together as a family. These three day retreats take place in a beautiful outdoor location with activities facilitated by an experienced outdoor educator.

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 627 company-owned locations in 42 states. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.

ONLINE AUCTION: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. will donate to the National Military Family Association 100% of the gross proceeds per auction item sold. A portion of the winning bid amount made through this auction may be tax deductible.

SWEEPSTAKES: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Legal residents of 48 contiguous U.S. states & D.C. Must be at least 18 years old to enter. Sweepstakes begins 5/21/14 and ends 7/7/14, with five separate drawings on 6/1/14; 6/12/14; 6/23/14; 7/4/14; and 7/8/14. Subject to complete Official Rules. For description of prizes and drawings, and to enter sweepstakes, visit http://www.fourstarsalute.org. Sponsor: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., P.O. Box 787, Lebanon, Tennessee 37088-0787. Administrator: Auction Cause Corporation, 6230 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1794, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

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