Businessman. Founder of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Restaurant chain. The Tennessee native while working in his family’s petroleum business envisioned the possibilities of an easier way to meet the needs of people who traveled by roadways. He drew from his memories while a youth, when it was commonplace to patronize a country store or trading post, where the proprietors were honest men who provided quality food, products and service at a reasonable fee. Evins wished to find his own establishment modeled after these concepts and on September 19th, 1969, his dream came to fruition when the first Cracker Barrel opened its doors in Lebanon, Tennessee. From 1969 until 2001, Evins served as Chief Executive Officer of Cracker Barrel and since its inception more than 600 locations in 42 states exist. He died of complications from bladder cancer. (bio by: C.S.)