Cracker Barrel growing in Colorado. Here’s when state’s 1st new store in decades will open

Colorado is getting another outpost of a popular chain restaurant, welcoming the state’s first new Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in 28 years.

The chain is roughly a month from opening the doors on its location in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, according to Jessica Mancuso, a company spokesperson. The final sprint includes a hiring push to staff up and train employees for the chain’s unique combination of Southern food and retail experience.

The Tennessee-based chain has grown to more than 600 locations nationwide and has worked to avoid increasing prices this year as costs have climbed. Here’s what is in store for Colorado.

What is Cracker Barrel?

Cracker Barrel offers a combination of a sit-down comfort food restaurant and a gift shop. The entrance of each location is set up like a country store – hence the name –  and carries items ranging from candies to clothes to toys and games.

The menu has comfort food staples such as chicken and dumplings and pot roast, with a seasonal menu of specials.

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Where and when is the new Cracker Barrel in Colorado opening?

The new location will be the first in the city of Denver, situated at 9111 E. 40th Ave., building 10. The restaurant is located near the Central Park exit from I-70.

The restaurant’s opening is planned for mid-April, with a specific date still to come.

Is Cracker Barrel new to Colorado?

The restaurant has been in Colorado for 30 years but has been slow to expand in the state. The Denver location will be Colorado’s first new Cracker Barrel since one opened in 1997 in Pueblo.

Cracker Barrel’s existing locations in Colorado are:

• Colorado Springs: 8355 Razorback Dr.

• Loveland: 5800 McWhinney Blvd.

• Northglenn: 350 W. 120th Ave.

• Pueblo: 4735 Elizabeth St. N.

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Is Cracker Barrel hiring?

Yes. Mancuso said the restaurant and store will employ about 150 people and openings are posted on the careers page of Cracker Barrel’s website. Those positions include management, front and back-of-house staff, maintenance and more.

Cracker Barrel offers “day one” medical coverage and other benefits for employees.

Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Cracker Barrel to open first new Colorado store in decades