<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CRACKER BARREL FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 2,1996, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-2-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-29-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-2-1996
<CASH>                                          28,971
<SECURITIES>                                     4,735
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,803
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     61,470
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               106,436
<PP&E>                                         692,243
<DEPRECIATION>                                 123,670
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 676,379
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,147
<BONDS>                                         15,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        30,297
<OTHER-SE>                                     535,924
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   676,379
<SALES>                                        943,287
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               943,287
<CGS>                                          324,905
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  467,057
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                50,627
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 369
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                102,380
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,865
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             63,515
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    63,515
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04