Golden Corral has closed several locations over the last nine months, but the all-you-can-eat buffet chain confirmed to USA TODAY that it will open six new restaurants in 2027.
The company didn't immediately confirm where the new restaurants will be located. But the news comes after stores closed in Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Texas this year, according to news articles, social media posts and Google listings.
There are 330 Golden Corral restaurants across dozens of states and territories, 99% of which are operated by independent franchisees, Golden Corral Corporation told USA TODAY. The company said there are more closures this year than normal, but reasons depend largely on each individual franchise.
For example, in Brownsville,
Texas, franchise owner Gaspar Hernandez told MySanAntonio.com that higher costs, renovations Golden Corral requires and a rental increase led to the location closing on Sept. 14.
Here’s what else we know about the closures that have happened so far.
Where have locations closed?
- Canton, Ohio: Closed on Feb. 1 without specifying a reason after serving the community for over 20 years, according to the Canton Repository, part of the USA TODAY Network.
- Alton, Illinois: Closed on April 30 because owners said “the location is no longer able to operate sustainably,” per the Belleville News-Democrat.
- Davenport, Iowa: Closed on July 6 without noting a reason why, per the Moline Dispatch & Rock Island Argus.
- Boynton Beach, Florida: Closed on July 26, citing the end of the restaurant’s lease and operational shifts, per the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.
- Boise, Idaho: Closed in September without publicly citing reasons, according to the Idaho Statesman.
- Brownsville, Texas: Closed on Sept. 14, reported MySanAntonio.com. Citing the franchise owner, the outlet said the location closed due to required renovations and rising costs, including rent.
Where does Golden Corral have locations?
Per the company’s restaurant locator, Texas has the largest number of Golden Corral locations (47), followed by Florida (31) and North Carolina (26).
- Alabama – 7 locations
- Alaska – 1 locations
- Arizona – 7 locations
- Arkansas – 4 locations
- California – 17 locations
- Colorado – 6 locations
- Florida – 31 locations
- Georgia – 18 locations
- Idaho – 1 location
- Illinois – 12 locations
- Indiana – 12 locations
- Iowa – 1 locations
- Kansas – 4 locations
- Kentucky – 9 locations
- Louisiana – 9 locations
- Maryland – 6 locations
- Massachusetts – 1 location
- Michigan – 5 locations
- Minnesota – 1 location
- Mississippi – 5 locations
- Missouri – 9 locations
- Nebraska – 2 locations
- Nevada – 2 locations
- New Hampshire – 1 location
- New Mexico – 4 locations
- New York – 4 locations
- North Carolina – 26 locations
- Ohio – 12 locations
- Oklahoma – 8 locations
- Pennsylvania – 6 locations
- Puerto Rico – 4 locations
- South Carolina – 9 locations
- South Dakota – 1 location
- Tennessee – 9 locations
- Texas – 47 locations
- Utah – 4 locations
- Virginia – 14 locations
- Washington – 3 locations
- West Virginia – 2 locations
- Wisconsin – 6 locations
Contributing: Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Corral says locations are closing. Here's what we know
