Golden Corral, one of America’s best-known buffet chains, has built its business around all-you-can-eat meals featuring carved meats, fried chicken, salads, sides, and desserts. However, the chain has closed seven restaurants across seven states over the past nine months, with local reports citing rising costs, lease expirations, and other operational challenges.
But the company says it’s still growing. Golden Corral told USA TODAY that it has six new restaurants in the works and plans to keep expanding through 2027. The chain also said some shuttered locations could reopen under new franchise owners.
Why Are Golden Corral Restaurants Closing?
They have happened at different times throughout 2026, and the reasons differ by location.
The Canton, Ohio, restaurant closed its doors on February 1 after serving the community for more than 20 years. The first of the locations, in Alton, Illinois, opened April 30. The owners said the restaurant was no longer sustainable.
The Davenport, Iowa, restaurant closed July 6, with no reason given publicly. The Boynton Beach location closed July 26, citing its lease expiration and operational changes.
Golden Corral closed its Boise, Idaho, restaurant in September, with no public explanation. The report notes the most recent closure was in Brownsville, Texas, where the restaurant closed on September 14. The franchise owner cited required renovations and rising costs, including rent.
The latest addition to the list is Independence, Missouri. According to The Kansas City Star, the Golden Corral at 19120 E. Valley View Parkway closed on October 4 after operating for around 15 years. Two managers confirmed the closure to the newspaper ahead of the restaurant’s final weekend.
Location | Closure Date | Reported Reason |
|---|---|---|
Canton, Ohio | February 1, 2026 | No reason publicly specified |
Alton, Illinois | April 30, 2026 | Owners said the restaurant could no longer operate sustainably |
Davenport, Iowa | July 6, 2026 | No reason publicly specified |
Boynton Beach, Florida | July 26, 2026 | Lease expiration and operational changes |
Boise, Idaho | September 2026 | No reason publicly specified |
Brownsville, Texas | September 14, 2026 | Required renovations and rising costs, including rent |
Independence, Missouri | October 4, 2026 | No reason publicly specified by the company |
Golden Corral Is Still Expanding Despite Rising Restaurant Closures
Golden Corral has a handful of new restaurants in the pipeline despite these closures. Two additional sites are underway in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kissimmee, Florida. Four other projects are in the pre-construction phase in Baytown, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Spanish Fort, Alabama; and St. Petersburg, Florida.
The chain’s growth plans suggest that the recent closures are not necessarily indicative of a nationwide retreat. Rather, individual franchise locations seem to be experiencing different financial and operational situations.
According to the company’s restaurant locator, Golden Corral’s largest market is Texas, which has 47 restaurants. Next is Florida with 31 locations, followed by North Carolina with 26.
Golden Corral says it expects to continue expanding despite the closures, with around 330 restaurants across the United States and its territories. The company also acknowledged that closures have been higher than usual this year, although the reasons vary by franchise. With roughly 99% of its restaurants independently operated, individual owners face different financial and operational challenges.
To support future growth, the chain is exploring options such as converting existing restaurants and retail spaces, opening locations at travel centers, and using smaller restaurant formats. Some shuttered locations could also reopen under new franchise owners, suggesting that the recent closures do not necessarily mark a permanent exit from those markets.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/Yc3u1UT
via IFTTT