4 of 5 Oregon Cracker Barrel close. Here's why.

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Portland, Beaverton, Tualatin and Bend Cracker Barrel restaurants are closing in Oregon, leaving only the Bend location open.

The chain said the pandemic hurt them, which translates that the pandemic hurt them MORE in Oregon because Oregon was slower than most states on fully re-opening businesses.  Oregon crushed shops with rules for a year longer than other states.  Chart below from last year in March.

Cracker Barrel also said the staffing shortage hit them hard.   Once again, because Oregon was among the states that continued to pay people more to not work than to work, meant that our State was incentivizing people away from working.  Also, by State Lawmakers banning hiring bonuses, it made it harder for Cracker Barrel to hire new people.

Furthermore, Oregon is witnessing a shrinking population.

Demographically, families with children are leaving Oregon, which hurts family friendly restaurants harder.  Cracker Barrel can’t grow a family restaurant with a declining population base.

Finally, it costs more to operate in Oregon than most states.

The tri-county area (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington) just raised taxes on businesses during the pandemic.  The State Legislature under Governor Brown raised taxes on small businesses 17% in the pandemic.  Lawmakers also passed new payroll taxes for paid family leave and state transit programs.

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