For decades, Golden Corral has been a go-to destination for families looking for an affordable, all-you-can-eat meal. But the popular buffet chain is facing a higher-than-normal rate of restaurant closures, even as it prepares to open new locations across the country.
Golden Corral closes at least 6 restaurants
Golden Corral has closed at least seven restaurants in 2026, with locations in Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, and Texas affected.
The closures include restaurants in Canton, Ohio; Alton, Illinois; Davenport, Iowa; Boynton Beach, Florida; Boise, Idaho; Independence, Missouri; and Brownsville, Texas.
The reasons for the shutdowns vary by location. In Brownsville, rising operating expenses, higher rent, and required renovations contributed to the restaurant’s September closure. Other locations have shut down without publicly disclosing a specific reason.
Golden Corral told Restaurant Dive that its current closure rate is higher than normal, but emphasized that individual franchise operators face different circumstances. Approximately 99% of the chain’s restaurants are franchisee-owned.
The company also said several closed locations could reopen under new franchise ownership.
The buffet chain plans to expand
Despite the closures, Golden Corral is not abandoning its expansion plans. The company confirmed that six new restaurants are in development, with construction underway in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kissimmee, Florida.
Additional locations are planned for Baytown, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Spanish Fort, Alabama; and St. Petersburg, Florida.
Golden Corral is also exploring smaller restaurant formats designed to reduce operating costs for franchise owners. Traditional locations typically occupy about 11,000 square feet, while newer prototypes could be significantly smaller.
The company is counting on its value-focused buffet model to attract customers as diners continue to weigh restaurant prices against their budgets.
For customers, the latest closures highlight a changing footprint for the buffet chain, but Golden Corral’s planned openings suggest the brand is still working to grow its presence in the United States.
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