STEPPING INTO a Cracker Barrel kitchen feels like walking into the heart of a Southern home. The air is warm and fragrant, filled with the rich aroma of biscuits baking in the oven and the savory scent of country ham sizzling on the grill. Cast iron skillets clatter against the stovetop while the comforting sizzle of frying bacon mixes with the sound of bubbling gravy. Cooks move quickly, stirring pots of creamy mashed potatoes and ladling hearty servings of chicken and dumplings. We think about the tradition of Southern cooking in Cracker Barrels across the nation, but what we might not stop to think about are the faces and names behind this timeless roadside homespun staple.
From the rolling hills and green pastures of a family farm to those shelves lined with mason jars of spices and fresh ingredients in the kitchens of Cracker Barrel, Charles “Tommy” Lowe’s life has been a journey of resilience, faith, and a love for his roots. As he enters his early 90s, Lowe reflects on a journey not defined by mere business success but by a legacy of hard work, commitment, and deep ties to his hometown of Lebanon, instilled in him from a young age.
Born on June 1, 1932, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Lowe’s life journey began during the Great Depression. His family moved to Lebanon when he was just 6 years old after his father, a surgeon, made a deal to practice at the local 12-bed hospital. “We lived in a little log cabin down on West Spring Street,” Lowe recalled with a smile. “It’s still there — you know — just a little bitty log cabin.” It was a humble start, but one that taught him the value of community and family from an early age.
Growing up in Lebanon, Lowe attended McClain School and later Castle Heights Military Academy, which was just two blocks from his home. “I’d walk to school every day,” he remembered. “I graduated from Castle Heights in high school and had my room number all set to go to Vanderbilt,” but life had other plans. “My daddy wanted me to be a doctor, but I had a girlfriend who didn’t want me to go,” Lowe chuckled. So, instead of heading off to medical school, he stayed in Lebanon and worked on the family dairy farm.
By the time he was 13, Lowe was running the farm on his own — a task that instilled in him a strong work ethic. But it wasn’t just farming that filled his days. “I did a little bit of everything,” he said. “My daddy helped me buy a backhoe and an air compressor, and I went into the construction business.” Whether it was digging ditches, laying down water lines, or even helping build a motel on West Main Street, Lowe proved he could tackle anything.
It was this can-do spirit and a long-standing friendship that eventually led to the founding of Cracker Barrel. The inspiration came from a combination of events, one of which was an unexpected snowstorm in Jackson, Tennessee. Lowe, who often drove buses, had taken the Lebanon girls basketball team to a state tournament on Dan Evins’ Shell Oilers fast-pitch softball team bus. The next morning, they woke to find 14 inches of snow on the ground. “We slogged through the snow to get to a little restaurant across the street, and that’s where the idea hit me,” Lowe recalled.
However, Cracker Barrel’s founding story is deeply rooted in the friendship and partnership between Tommy Lowe and Dan Evins. Both were Castle Heights Military Academy alumni and even shared the title of Mid-South Wrestling champion in their respective weight classes for two consecutive years. Evins, who was involved with Shell Oil, had asked Lowe to design an affordable building that could accommodate gas pumps in front. He envisioned a place that combined the charm of a country store with the convenience of a gas station. Lowe’s bus trip and the sight of a cozy restaurant sparked the idea that led to the first Cracker Barrel opening in September 1969.
“I told Dan, ‘We can build this little thing right here, put some gas pumps out front, have antiques inside, and you can sell your gas. It won’t cost much,’” Lowe said. “And that’s how it all started.” With Dan Evins serving as president and Tommy Lowe as vice president, Cracker Barrel began as a collaborative effort, blending their shared vision and values.
The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Cracker Barrel is a beloved chain with locations across the country, but it all started with Lowe’s simple idea and Evins’ support, rooted in a deep friendship and a shared commitment to quality and community. Despite his many achievements, Lowe remains humble. “You name it, I’ve done it,” he said with a shrug. From building motels and warehouses to running a travel agency, his entrepreneurial spirit has always guided him. Yet, it’s Lebanon that he’s always called home, even though he now spends half the year in Mexico. “I’ve been going down there since 1950,” he said. “It’s like a second home, but my roots are here.”
Reflecting on his life, Lowe’s pride in his contributions to Lebanon is clear. “Cracker Barrel started right here, and it’s still got the same post office box and phone number that we had back then,” he said. For Lowe, it’s not just about business. It’s about community, family, and staying true to the values that have guided him from that little log cabin on West Spring Street to the successful entrepreneur he is today. “I’ve done a lot of things,” Lowe said, “but Lebanon is where my heart is — always has been, always will be.” GN
