America’s leading buffet to celebrate grand opening of fast-casual spinoff in its home state on April 22
Raleigh, NC (RestaurantNews.com) Golden Corral, the nation’s go-to buffet for quality, variety and value, will debut its highly anticipated fast-casual concept Golden Corral Favorites – created to meet modern guests’ dining preferences without compromising on the quality and flavors they know and love.
The new restaurant, located at 10735 US-15 in Southern Pines, North Carolina, is a 4,200-square-foot space that will offer a curated selection of the brand’s beloved classics and guest favorites, all served in a format that prioritizes speed and convenience. Opening day festivities will begin at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in partnership with the Moore County Chamber of Commerce and the Pinecrest Air Force Junior ROTC.
The celebration will include a special blessing from Bishop Timothy R. Newton Sr. of The Flowing Place Church and lead into the restaurant’s official opening at 11 a.m. To mark the occasion, the first 50 dine-in guests will receive FREE Golden Corral a year* — with additional prizes, apparel and promotions offered throughout the day.
“Golden Corral Favorites is all about honoring what our guests continue to return for – delicious, wholesome food at an incredible value – while adapting to how people want to dine today,” said CEO Lance Trenary. “This new format builds on the strength of our brand and brings our core menu into a more convenient and technology-forward setting.”
Earlier this year, the brand transitioned its previous fast-casual concept, Homeward Kitchen, into the new Golden Corral Favorites identity. The refreshed concept maintains Golden Corral’s pillars of comfort, value, and quality while introducing new technology and a streamlined service model. Guests can enjoy their favorite dishes — slow cooked and served fast —through dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering, and pickup.
“Golden Corral Favorites is a natural progression for our brand,” said Jason Kornosky, VP of Operations. “Through this concept, we’re leaning into what we know works: the Golden Corral name, the food our guests love, and a commitment to quality. It’s not about starting over – it’s about evolving with purpose.”
Golden Corral Favorites will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
*Free Golden Corral Favorites offer only available for the first 50 dine-in guests of Golden Corral Favorites in Southern Pines, NC on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Guests must enroll in Golden Corral Rewards and scan their Rewards app at the register for a minimum purchase of an entrée to receive Free Food for a Year offer. The Free Food for a Year offer will consist of a $15 redeemable offer being added every week for 52 weeks to the recipient’s Rewards account which can be accessed through the Golden Corral App. Any unused $15 redeemable offers will expire at the end of the week and will not transfer to the next week. Use of the $15 redeemable offer is not valid on April 22, 2025. First $15 redeemable offer issued on April 28, 2025. Final $15 redeemable offer issued on April 20, 2026 and expires on April 26, 2026. No cash value, non-transferable. Valid only at the Southern Pines, NC Golden Corral Favorites location. The $15 redeemable offer can only be redeemed through the Rewards App and by the recipient of the Free Food for a Year offer. No copies or photos of the rewards offer will be accepted. Must be 18 years or older to be eligible. Only one winner per household.
About Golden Corral
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. Golden Corral restaurants are 99% locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. 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. In 2023, Golden Corral was recognized as one of the nation’s top 50 “Most Loved Brands” by Yelp. They were also recognized for valuing their customers and providing excellent customer service by Newsweek, “America’s Best Customer Service 2024.” In addition, Golden Corral has received multiple workplace awards in recognition of their deep-rooted culture. Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and have more recently partnered with Project Healing Waters, an organization that helps active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building. 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 X, formerly known as Twitter.
Contact:
Laron Roland
Champion
469-951-0455
lr*****@*********gt.com
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