Golden Corral Franchising Systems Inc.

Founded: 1973 Franchising since: 1987
Golden Corral restaurants began as budget steakhouses located principally in small cities from Virginia to Texas. In the mid-1980s, guest requests prompted Golden Corral to reinvent itself by introducing the Buffet & Grill Metro unit that features 150 hot and cold items, a carving station, and the Brass Bell Bakery, which offers rolls, muffins, cookies, pies and pizza made from scratch. The buffet was expanded in 2001 to include cooked-to-order sirloin steaks. Smaller restaurant designs are available for smaller markets.

5151 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, North carolina 27612

Phone: (800)284-5673 Franchisee Association Franchise Advisory Council

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 180 employee(s); 10 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	378	0	0	104
2008	380	0	0	103
2007	372	0	0	108
2006	357	0	0	117
2005	347	0	0	121

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Total investment: $2.1M-5.9M Franchise fee: $50K

Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 15 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	Yes
Accounts Receivable	No	Yes
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $2.5M
Cash liquidity requirement: $500K
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• (or must have partner with industry experience.)

Operations

• 80% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 100
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
• At company training location : 10 weeks

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#125 (2009); #135 (2008); #129 (2007); #181 (2006); #127 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005;

America's Top Global Franchises:
#100 (2005);