America’s #1 buffet to open first fast casual restaurant in North Carolina this fall, eyes hundreds of markets over the next decade
Golden Corral continues its growth across the country with the ongoing expansion of buffet restaurants. Now it has a new developed a new brand to offer legendary comfort food in a fast casual setting.
The nation’s largest buffet chain aims to serve classic staples like pot roast, fried chicken, and meatloaf from a counter or drive-thru window with its latest up-and-coming concept, Homeward Kitchen. The restaurant will be Golden Corral’s entry into the fast-casual space, where it will offer some of the wholesome homestyle favorites that have contributed to the brand’s sustaining appeal over the last 50 years as well as a fresh, delicious take on sandwiches, salads, and bowls.
“We will be bringing high quality, comfort food into a fast-casual concept,” said Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary. “This will help us reach a new customer demographic while expanding another avenue for our longtime guests.”
Homeward Kitchen’s menu will feature classic comfort food entrées, salads, bowls, and sandwiches, as well as several side dishes, appetizers, and dessert options. Those looking to feed a larger group can opt for a family meal featuring a choice of main courses and larger portions of sides. Popular comfort food items, like Slow-Cooked Pot Roast with Braised Vegetables, Golden Fried Shrimp, Homestyle Mac and Cheese, Green Beans, and Banana Pudding, will be daily options, but guests will also find new temptations like the Cajun Mac & Cheese Bowl, or a Fried Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich served in Classic, Nashville Hot, Korean Style, and Honey Dipped varieties.
Golden Corral worked with commercial brokerage firm Trademark Properties to secure the first Homeward Kitchen, which will debut in Southern Pines, North Carolina, this fall. All future planned Homeward Kitchen locations will feature a small dining room with dine-in, take-out, and drive-thru ordering options for convenient and fast service. The brand envisions the concept expanding its reach to different audiences over the next decade as Homeward Kitchen continues to grow and develop.
“We have a 100-year plan at Golden Corral, and since we just celebrated our 50th anniversary in business, we are only at halftime,” Trenary said. “We see a lot of blue sky ahead of us for the Golden Corral brand and view Homeward Kitchen as a big part of that plan moving forward. We understand our greatest strengths, and we listen closely to our guests. That is what gives us great confidence in what we are developing in Homeward Kitchen.”
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. 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. Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). 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 Twitter.
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