America’s leading buffet brings guest-favorite menu items to a fast-casual setting
Golden Corral, the nation’s go-to buffet for quality, variety and value, is introducing a fresh way for guests to enjoy its most popular dishes: Golden Corral Favorites. This new fast-casual concept offers a selection of the brand’s signature foods in a streamlined, quick-service format, delivering the same great flavors with added convenience.
The brand’s first iteration of a fast-casual concept, Homeward Kitchen in Southern Pines, North Carolina, will close its doors on Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. and will transition into the first-ever Golden Corral Favorites location. This 4,200-square-foot restaurant will retain the quality and flavors that Golden Corral guests have come to know and love while offering a faster, more modern dining experience. The restaurant is expected to reopen in April.
“Golden Corral has always been about delivering an unmatched variety of high-quality food at an incredible value, and through the rebranding of this concept, we’re staying laser-focused on what we do best,” said CEO Lance Trenary. “We’ve learned just how much our guests love the Golden Corral brand and want the wholesome food that we serve, so we’re bringing those favorites to a fast-casual setting. This new concept leverages the brand equity in the Golden Corral name and blends the best of both worlds — offering our signature comfort foods they crave with the convenience today’s consumers expect.”
Golden Corral Favorites will feature a curated selection of the most popular Golden Corral menu items, served in a streamlined, quick-service format. Whether guests are dining in or taking advantage of the restaurant’s enhanced digital ordering, drive-thru, and pickup options, this new concept is designed for today’s fast-paced lifestyles, particularly those who prioritize convenience without compromising quality.
Golden Corral remains dedicated to investing in its core strengths, focusing on the food and beverage, hospitality, and value that have made it a household name. Golden Corral Favorites is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation while honoring the legacy that has kept guests coming back for decades. Golden Corral also remains committed to the loyal restaurant team in Southern Pines, the majority of whom have worked at the restaurant since it first opened. With the objective of retaining the entire crew, Golden Corral will fairly compensate all team members and take advantage of downtime for additional training. All employees were notified in early January that they will be paid a temporary closure payment. A return-to-work incentive was also offered to those who return for the opening of Golden Corral Favorites.
Founded in 1973 and based in Raleigh, N.C., Golden Corral is the nation’s largest grill-buffet restaurant chain. Golden Corral strives to make pleasurable dining affordable for all families. Golden Corral restaurants are 99% locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. While its commitment begins each day with preparing delicious food, Golden Corral also believes in providing outstanding hospitality and giving back. Service to others is a hallmark of the Golden Corral brand. In 2023, Golden Corral was recognized as one of the nation’s top 50 “Most Loved Brands” by Yelp. They were also recognized for valuing their customers and providing excellent customer service by Newsweek, “America’s Best Customer Service 2024.” In addition, Golden Corral has received multiple workplace awards in recognition of their deep-rooted culture. Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and have more recently partnered with Project Healing Waters, an organization that helps active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building. Golden Corral is also the founding sponsor of Camp Corral, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation, which provides free, one-of-a-kind summer camp experiences for children of wounded, injured, ill or fallen service members. For more information, visit GoldenCorral.com and follow Golden Corral on Facebook, Instagram,and X, formerly known as Twitter.
