Operations

Golden Corral closing, rebranding fast-casual concept

Photo: GC

February 24, 2025

Golden Corral has shuttered Homeward Kitchen, its first iteration of a fast-casual spinoff and is reopening it in April as Golden Corral Favorites.

The 500-unit brand first tested its fast-casual chops last year when it created Homeward to serve "slow-cooked, served fast" meals. Golden Corral Favorites will feature a curated selection of the most popular Golden Corral menu items, served in a streamlined, quick-service format, said CEO Lance Trenary.

"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," Trenary said in a company press release. "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."

Protecting the team

Most Homestead employees have worked at the restaurant since opening day, which is one reason Golden Corral said it was compensating team members to take advantage of downtime for additional training. All employees were notified in early January that they would be paid a temporary closure payment. A return-to-work incentive was also offered to those who returned 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.