Franopolis

    Golden Corral

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources

    Golden Corral franchise operates as America's largest buffet and grill chain, serving steaks, seafood, and an extensive all-you-can-eat buffet featuring over 10

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    Headline figures

    Golden Corral quick facts

    Is Golden Corral a franchise?
    Yes. Golden Corral offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 344 franchised and 4 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 80).
    How much does it cost to open a Golden Corral franchise?
    The Golden Corral Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $3,828,846–$5,318,130 for mediumtraditional — total estimated investment (not including cost of land and site work) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 23); $2,237,950–$4,505,430 for conversion only (conversion — total estimated investment (not including cost of land and site work)) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25); $3,631,328–$4,508,130 for smalltraditional — total estimated investment (not including cost of land and site work) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 22); $4,147,296–$6,162,930 for largetraditional — total estimated investment (not including cost of land and site work) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Golden Corral initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $50,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 12). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Golden Corral charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 4% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 13). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $10,000 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 13). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Golden Corral disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Golden Corral FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 71). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Golden Corral locations are there?
    The FDD reports 348 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 80). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Golden Corral a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $3,828,846 – $5,318,130 (Mediumtraditional — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)); $2,237,950 – $4,505,430 (Conversion — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)); $3,631,328 – $4,508,130 (Smalltraditional — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)); $4,147,296 – $6,162,930 (Largetraditional — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 9 separate groups: revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 50 Franchised locations; revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 2 Franchised locations; costs and operating income and revenue and other measures for 263 Franchised locations; revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 53 Franchised locations; revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 53 Franchised locations; other measures and costs and revenue and operating income for 10 Franchised locations; revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 35 Franchised locations; revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 10 Franchised locations; revenue and costs and operating income and other measures for 10 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets declined by 3 in 2025, to 348 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Compare outlet trendsPut Item 20 counts side by side with up to 3 other brands.

    Golden Corral head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    Golden CorralVSApplebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar
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    Golden CorralVSBrinker International Payrollmpany L P
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    Golden CorralVSIHOP
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    Golden CorralVSHuddle House
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    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 4 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (4)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • Conversion — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)PDF p. 25$2,237,950 – $4,505,430
    • Smalltraditional — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)PDF p. 22$3,631,328 – $4,508,130
    • Mediumtraditional — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)PDF p. 23$3,828,846 – $5,318,130
    • Largetraditional — Total Estimated Investment (not including cost of land and site work)PDF p. 24$4,147,296 – $6,162,930

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 12
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    Royaltyweekly GrossSalesMain ongoing fee

    57 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    9 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    50 locations

    Revenue, costs, operating income and other measures · 50 locations

    Who is counted
    Small
    Excluded
    315of343yearend: excludes7leftsystem all>=12months,1openedless6months,27missingdata. Companyexcluded.
    Method
    Franchiseereported unverified noinvestigation. Grosssalesexcludestax includesallrelatedrevenue. Operatingexpensesexclude land/building/equipmentrent,debt,depreciation,advertising,admin,tax,license,insurance,4%royalty,supervisorypersonnel/refreshertravel. Laborincludesmanagerpaybonuses/wages/payrolltax/groupinsurance/workerscomp; controllableutilitiesmaintenancesanitation. Operatingincomebeforeexcludedexpenses; nopromisednetprofit. Table1 10metro1small 6to12monthannualized.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 80

    Net −7 outlets, 2023–2025

    0355202335120243482025−4−3

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($2,237,950 – $6,162,930) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units decreased from 351 to 348 in 2025. What drove the change?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 12
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Small · PDF p. 71; PDF p. 72
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Nontraditional · PDF p. 71; PDF p. 72
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Metro · PDF p. 71; PDF p. 72
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Metro top20% · PDF p. 73; PDF p. 74
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Metro bottom20% · PDF p. 73; PDF p. 74
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Small openedafter2016 · PDF p. 78; PDF p. 77
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Metro openedafter2016 · PDF p. 77; PDF p. 78
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Small top20% · PDF p. 75; PDF p. 76
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Small bottom20% · PDF p. 75; PDF p. 76
    11. [11]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 80

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    353 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025assets current assets cashMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$12,572,686
    2025accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$3,198,571
    2025other assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$1,972,173
    2025other assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$1,941,718
    2025total current assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$17,712,975
    2025due from parentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$26,629,211
    2025due from parentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$16,326,059
    2025cost of contractsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$303,534
    2025cost of contractsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$360,325
    2025total assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$34,442,904
    2025liabilities and stockholder's equity current liabilities current portion of deferred creditsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$824,724
    2025accounts payableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$4,746,248

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + BarBrinker International Payrollmpany L PIHOPHuddle HouseCalifornia Pizza KitchenWalk-Ons Bistreaux & Bar

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Golden Corral vs Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + BarGolden Corral vs Brinker International Payrollmpany L PGolden Corral vs IHOPGolden Corral vs Huddle HouseGolden Corral vs California Pizza KitchenGolden Corral vs Walk-Ons Bistreaux & Bar
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.

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