April 19, 2026
A West Nashville Cracker Barrel was robbed at gunpoint Thursday afternoon and shut down for the rest of the day. The suspect was in custody before nightfall, with the stolen cash still in his pocket.
TL;DR
Nashville Cracker Barrel robbed at gunpoint — suspect arrested same day with stolen cash still in his pocket
Date
April 16, 2026
Cash stolen
$651
Bond
$40,000
Charges
5 counts
Suspect showed a gun at the cashier counter at 6941 Charlotte Pike around 1 p.m. and demanded register cash
Fled in a white Chevy Impala — tracked by Violent Crimes detectives on I-40 to a home on Aspen Drive
$651 recovered from his front left pocket at time of arrest. Restaurant closed for the rest of the day
Parham also carried four outstanding shoplifting warrants from hardware store thefts the prior month
Suspect in custody
What Happened at the Charlotte Pike Cracker Barrel
The robbery
According to Metro Nashville Police Department, a man walked into the Cracker Barrel at 6941 Charlotte Pike around 1 p.m. Thursday, approached the cashier, and displayed a gun tucked in his waistband before demanding money from the register. The employee handed over the cash without resistance. The suspect walked out and drove off in a white Chevrolet Impala. WSMV first reported that the restaurant was closed for the remainder of Thursday with patrons still inside at the time of the incident. No customers were reported injured.
The arrest
Violent Crimes detectives moved quickly. According to WKRN News 2, officers located the white Impala on Interstate 40 a short time after the robbery and followed the vehicle to a residence on Aspen Drive, where 45-year-old Joshua Parham was taken into custody. Fox 17 News reported that officers searched Parham and found a wad of cash in his front left pocket totaling $651, the full amount taken from the register. The arrest closed the case within hours of the robbery.
Who Is Joshua Parham
Parham is a 45-year-old Nashville resident with a pattern of recent criminal activity that stretches well beyond Thursday’s robbery. Fox 17 News reported that Parham was also wanted on four outstanding theft warrants connected to shoplifting incidents at hardware stores the previous month. MNPD identified him as the suspect in multiple merchandise thefts before the Cracker Barrel incident.
According to WKRN News 2, booking records show Parham was charged with aggravated robbery with a weapon alongside four counts of theft of merchandise. He remains in jail on a $40,000 bond. No surveillance images were released by MNPD in connection with the case.
Aggravated robbery involving a deadly weapon is a Class B felony in Tennessee, carrying a potential sentence of eight to twelve years under state guidelines for first-time violent offenders. Parham’s existing warrants increase his exposure at sentencing.
What This Means for the Charlotte Pike Location
The Charlotte Pike Cracker Barrel sits on a high-traffic corridor in West Nashville and serves a dense residential area. The location reopened Friday. Cracker Barrel corporate has not issued a public statement on the incident.
This is not the first time a Cracker Barrel location has drawn attention for reasons unrelated to its food. The brand has been navigating a difficult run of operational and reputational challenges. The site’s full report on what happened to Cracker Barrel covers that story in detail. A separate piece breaks down Cracker Barrel’s new dining rule that drew national coverage earlier this year. Customers looking for the nearest open location can check the Cracker Barrel locations directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone hurt in the Nashville Cracker Barrel robbery?
No injuries were reported. Customers were inside the restaurant during the robbery but were not harmed. The employee complied immediately and the suspect left after taking the cash.
How much money was stolen from the Charlotte Pike Cracker Barrel?
$651 in cash was taken from the register. Officers recovered the full amount from Joshua Parham’s front left pocket at the time of his arrest on Aspen Drive.
What charges does Joshua Parham face?
Parham faces one count of aggravated robbery with a weapon and four counts of theft of merchandise tied to separate shoplifting incidents. He is currently held on a $40,000 bond.
Is the Charlotte Pike Cracker Barrel still open?
Yes. The location closed for the remainder of Thursday, April 16, following the robbery and reopened the following day.
