Golden Corral Addresses Its Future After Multiple Locations Close In Less Than A Year
By Megan Grisham on Oct 15, 2026 at 12:28 pm CDT Golden Corral customers are questioning the future of the all-you-can-eat buffet chain after multiple locations nationwide have closed. More than a handful of Golden Corral locations have closed over the past year, including restaurants in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Idaho, and Texas. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the company is in trouble. There are about 330 Golden Corral locations operating across the U.S., and 99% of them are independently owned and operated by franchisees. So, while the recent closures may seem higher than usual, they often come down to individual circumstances of the owners rather than the chain’s success as a whole. Some of the possible reasons behind these locations shutting down include rising rent and property costs, higher food prices, staffing shortages, and a lack of customer traffic. In an April press release , the company announced plans to open six new restaurants across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The establishment credits the expansion to its “strong consumer demand for value-oriented dining and a buffet of development options.” “With six locations currently in development and continued expansion in Puerto Rico, we are committed to working in lockstep with our franchisees to expand access to Golden Corral for new guests and communities,” Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary said in a statement. He continued, “As we continue to expand into these new markets and beyond, we remain focused on delivering the unmatched variety and exceptional value that our guests know and love, while investing in existing restaurant remodels, conversions, and other new development formats that create a strong foundation from which our franchisees can grow their businesses.” Two of the new locations are already under construction, one in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the other in Kissimmee, Florida. The remaining four restaurants…
By Megan Grisham
on Oct 15, 2026 at 12:28 pm CDT
Golden Corral customers are questioning the future of the all-you-can-eat buffet chain after multiple locations nationwide have closed.
More than a handful of Golden Corral locations have closed over the past year, including restaurants in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Idaho, and Texas. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the company is in trouble.
There are about 330 Golden Corral locations operating across the U.S., and 99% of them are independently owned and operated by franchisees.
So, while the recent closures may seem higher than usual, they often come down to individual circumstances of the owners rather than the chain’s success as a whole.
Some of the possible reasons behind these locations shutting down include rising rent and property costs, higher food prices, staffing shortages, and a lack of customer traffic.
In an April press release , the company announced plans to open six new restaurants across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The establishment credits the expansion to its “strong consumer demand for value-oriented dining and a buffet of development options.”
“With six locations currently in development and continued expansion in Puerto Rico, we are committed to working in lockstep with our franchisees to expand access to Golden Corral for new guests and communities,” Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary said in a statement.
He continued, “As we continue to expand into these new markets and beyond, we remain focused on delivering the unmatched variety and exceptional value that our guests know and love, while investing in existing restaurant remodels, conversions, and other new development formats that create a strong foundation from which our franchisees can grow their businesses.”
Two of the new locations are already under construction, one in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the other in Kissimmee, Florida.
The remaining four restaurants are still in the pre-construction phase and are planned for Baytown, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Spanish Fort, Alabama; and St. Petersburg, Florida.
“We believe that Golden Corral’s strongest growth opportunities are still ahead of us,” Trenary continued. “By supporting our great franchisees, investing in smart development strategies, and staying true to the value our guests expect, we’re building a brand well-positioned to thrive for years to come.”
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About Golden Corral
Golden Corral was founded more than 50 years ago, opening its first restaurant in 1973 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The chain offers an endless breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, with more than 150 items for customers to choose from. The menu includes sirloin steaks, a soup and salad bar, a chocolate fountain, and much more.