Dan Evins was born in Smithville, Tennessee, on October 11, 1935. As a child he graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. He enlisted in the US Army, served in Korea in the Corps of Engineers and attended Auburn University. Evins also worked as an aide for his uncle, U.S. Rep. Joseph L. Evins, before taking a position with his family's oil company. Evins co-founded Cracker Barrel in 1969 while he was working for Shell Oil. He opened the first restaurant in Lebanon, Tennessee, on Tennessee State Route 109. He borrowed $40,000 to construct the first Cracker Barrel, which turned a profit just one month after opening. Evins was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cracker Barrel from its founding in 1969 to 2001, and as chairman of the board from 2001 until his retirement in 2004. During this time he was also served as chairman of the board of directors for Castle Heights Military Academy while his son was enrolled in the school. Dan Evins died on January 14, 2012, at his daughter's home in Lebanon, Tennessee, at the age of 76.
Dan Evins was born in Smithville, Tennessee, on October 11, 1935. As a child he graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. He enlisted in the US Army, served in Korea in the Corps of Engineers and attended Auburn University. Evins also worked as an aide for his uncle, U.S. Rep. Joseph L. Evins, before taking a position with his family's oil company. Evins co-founded Cracker Barrel in 1969 while he was working for Shell Oil. He opened the first restaurant in Lebanon, Tennessee, on Tennessee State Route 109. He borrowed $40,000 to construct the first Cracker Barrel, which turned a profit just one month after opening. Evins was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cracker Barrel from its founding in 1969 to 2001, and as chairman of the board from 2001 until his retirement in 2004. During this time he was also served as chairman of the board of directors for Castle Heights Military Academy while his son was enrolled in the school. Dan Evins died on January 14, 2012, at his daughter's home in Lebanon, Tennessee, at the age of 76.
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