Golden Corral Franchising Systems Inc.

Family-style restaurant featuring steaks, buffet and bakery items
Year began: 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, NC 27612

Phone: (800)284-5673
Fax: (919)881-5252

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

Franchisee Association
Franchise Advisory Council
Contact: (919)881-5110

Franchise Growth
Year

2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
U.S. Franchises
374
372
357
347
350
Canadian Franchises
0
0
0
0
0

Foreign Franchises
0
0
0
0
0
Company
Owned
108
108
117
121
119

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S.

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Costs & Fees
Total investment: $2M-5.9M
Franchise fee: $50K
Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
Term of agreement: 15 years, renewable
Renewal fee: $13.3K/5 years
Type of Financing Available
In-HouseThird Party
Franchise FeeNoNo
Startup CostsNoNo
EquipmentNoNo
InventoryNoNo
Accounts ReceivableNoNo
PayrollNoNo
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 & Support
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

Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008
Franchise 500® rank:
#135 (2008); #129 (2007); #181 (2006); #127 (2005); #127 (2004);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2008; 2007; 2006; 2005; 2004;

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

Last Updated: 4/22/2008 12:00:00 AM



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