UPDATE: August 05, 2017 at 10:07 a.m.
Last month, a couple from Indiana visited their second to last Cracker Barrel location — that's a wild 644 Cracker Barrel restaurants around the country that Ray and Wilma Yoders have visited. The 80-year-old couple spent four decades accomplishing the task, and now they only have one left on their list: a restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
On Friday, Cracker Barrel announced they will be sending the couple out west to visit their last store and commemorate the occasion.
In a statement, the restaurant chain known for their down-home Southern food, said that the couple's travels have "inspired and delighted" thousands of Cracker Barrel employees.
"To the people who have welcomed and served them over the years, Ray and Wilma are more than valued guests. They are our family within our home. To share back with you just a small part of the joy you have brought with you into 644 Cracker Barrel stores, Cracker Barrel is sending both of you to Portland, where we will celebrate your achievement with you. Welcome back, Ray and Wilma."
ORIGINAL POST: July 22, 2017 at 11:46 a.m.
Many people have bucket lists of places to see, whether it's all 50 states, their favorite sports teams' stadiums, or the seven continents. But for one adorable couple, a love of Cracker Barrel's down-home atmosphere pushed them to visit 644 of the restaurant's 645 locations.
More than 40 years ago, Ray Yoder was driving trucks and often stopped at Cracker Barrel for something to eat off the interstate. He never had a bad experience, and appreciated how kind the staff was regardless of the location he was at.
"It's the same good service and great people wherever you go," Ray told the Lebanon Democrat.
He began to bring his wife Wilma with him, and after 30 years of visiting stores, seeing them all became a mission. Employees began to recognize the two, and they became something of a Cracker Barrel celebrity couple.
Ray Yoder told the Democrat, "It's a good feeling. It's something we've followed this long, but it's gained attention in the last 10 years."
At each location, the Yoder's make sure to buy something, even if it's just coffee or candy. They also always leave a tip. When they do visit stores, they often receive gift baskets or other small presents, as well as photo requests. They've been to as many as eight stores in one day, and have traveled more than 5 million miles in total.
The pair are both 80 now, and continue traveling around the country visiting new stores they open up. Earlier this month, the pair went to Lavonia, Georgia to attend a new store's ribbon cutting ceremony.
Their last stop (for now!) will be the Tualatin, Oregon location just outside of Portland, which they hope to visit this year. However, the Yoder's plan to continue the quest as new locations open up. Relationship goals, y'all.
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