GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY
Golden Corral Franchising Systems, Inc. offers franchises for establishing and operating family-oriented steakhouse and buffet-style restaurants featuring a wide variety of beef, pork, seafood, chicken, salads, vegetables, desserts from an in-store bakery, and other food and beverage items for lunch, dinner, weekend breakfast, and snacks. Franchisees must operate in strict conformance with Golden Corral’s standards, procedures, and proprietary marks, with restaurant designs like GC-11S or GC-11M, or retrofitted conversions. The target market includes families and customers seeking affordable, all-you-can-eat dining experiences in free-standing buildings, suburban, urban, or strip center locations.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
4% royalty + 2.4% ad fund + $1,630-$1,785/mo technology/software fees
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data for 231 franchised GC-11M and GC-11S restaurants open for the full fiscal year 2023, excluding those open for less than 6 months.
* Calculated weighted average gross revenue using 195 GC-11M units ($4,419,745) and 36 GC-11S units ($3,705,933) for a total of 231 units. Weighted average median gross revenue calculated similarly. Weighted average net profit (operating income) derived from average operating income figures for GC-11M and GC-11S. Revenue top quartile is a weighted average of the Top 20% GC-11M (39 units @ $6,401,447) and Top 20% GC-11S (estimated 7 units @ $5,116,042). Revenue bottom quartile is based on the average gross sales of the Bottom 20% GC-11M (39 units @ $2,801,804), as no data was available for Bottom 20% GC-11S. Best guess profit range is based on the calculated average net profit as no other information for ranges was provided.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY Compares to Other Casual Dining Franchises
Key Insights
- #3 largest franchise system in Casual Dining
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY Current | $2.1M - $8.5M | $50K | 4.0% | 352 |
| IHOP & INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES | $1.8M - $4.5M | $69K | N/A | 1,703 |
| BUFFALO WILD WINGS | $2.5M - $4.9M | $25K | 5.0% | 538 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL | $2.2M - $8.7M | $50K | 4.0% | 348 |
| ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE (THE) | $483K - $1.7M | $60K | 2.0% | 146 |
| TGI FRIDAYS | $2.7M - $4.1M | $50K | 4.0% | 129 |
Casual Dining Average 43 franchises | $1.6M - $3.6M | $44K | 4.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 43 Casual Dining franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+26 more states
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Breach of contract, New Jersey Franchise Practices Act claims, and franchise fee collection disputes related to franchisee abandonment.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise?
The total initial investment to open a GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise ranges from $2,059,717 to $8,528,857. This includes a franchise fee of $50,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 4.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise make?
According to the 2024 FDD, the average gross revenue for a GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise is $4,308,501.57. The median revenue is $4,156,754.35.
How much profit can you make with a GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise ranges from $934,959.47 to $934,959.47 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY franchise locations are there?
As of the 2024 FDD, GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY has 352 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1986.
Is GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY a good franchise to buy?
GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY shows several positive indicators: established brand with 352+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19). However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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