Cracker Barrel's CEO said this week that its controversial short-lived logo change was not motivated by ideology, despite some speculating otherwise.

The change was intended to make the restaurant chain's signs easier to read for passing motorists, CEO Julie Felss Masino said during the 13D Monitor Active-Passive Summit on Oct. 21, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"Part of this transformation is setting up success for the long term," Masino also said, per the Wall Street Journal.

The country store and restaurant chain faced backlash from many of its customers in August when it announced it would be doing away with the version of its logo that included a man next to a wooden barrel. Days later, the company reversed course and said it wouldn't change the logo after all.

USA TODAY has reached out to Cracker Barrel for comment.

Cracker Barrel logo controversy: What happened?

On Aug. 19, Cracker Barrel unveiled a new, simplified logo with the launch of a fall menu campaign called "All The More." The logo still featured the company's classic gold and brown color palette, but it removed a man seated next to a wooden barrel.

Some customers decried the logo change as uninviting. President Donald Trump also weighed in, writing in a Truth Social post that the chain could earn "free publicity" if it went back to its old logo.

"Cracker Barrel should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before," Trump said on Aug. 26. He later shared more social media posts playing on the brand's logo.

On Aug. 26, the same day as Trump's initial post, Cracker Barrel said it would drop the new logo and return to the "Old Timer."

"We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have," the company's statement said. "Our new logo is going away and our 'Old Timer' will remain."

Cracker Barrel sticks to design roots after logo switch up

Cracker Barrel has also made other design decisions in the months since opting to stick to its former logo.

In September, the company said it would not move forward with planned restaurant remodels, which were intended to make locations more modern with the aim to attract younger crowds.

Earlier this month, Cracker Barrel also announced that it ended its partnership with Prophet, the company that advised its logo and restaurant design.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cracker Barrel CEO says logo change wasn't motivated by ideology – WSJ

Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect