#110
At a Glance
Products & Services: Family steakhouse, buffet & bakery
Number of Locations: 482
Total Investment: $1.97M - 6.76M
Founded: 1973
Began Franchising: 1987
About Golden Corral Franchising Systems Inc.
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 hundreds 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.Franchise Units
| Year | U.S. | Canadian | International | Company Owned |
| 2012 | 358 | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| 2011 | 389 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
| 2010 | 376 | 0 | 0 | 103 |
| 2009 | 376 | 0 | 0 | 103 |
Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.
Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing
Total Investment: $1,971,500 - $6,756,500
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $2,500,000
Liquid Cash Available: $500,000
Operations
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 100. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators).| Financing Type | In-House | Third Party |
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How This Franchise Supports Franchisees
Training: Available at headquarters: 2 weeks. At company training location : 8 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 Ranking History
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