Golden Corral vs Shoney's Restaurants Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Golden Corral vs Shoney's Restaurants including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Golden Corral Franchise
Shoney's Restaurants Franchise
Investment $2,700,795 - $7,037,915$568,000 - $2,800,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$25,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 4%2.5-3.5%
Advertising Fee 2.4%-
Year Founded 19731968
Year Franchised 19861971
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options)-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Golden Corral Franchise
Shoney's Restaurants Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • (or must have partner with industry experience.)

    • Solid business experience Multi-unit management Proven expertise in retail (food and beverage a plus) Previous franchise experience advantageous


    Financing Options
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Shoney's Restaurants Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Shoney's Restaurants Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 665 hours Classroom Training: 8.5 hours Additional Training: At company training location-
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform-
    Marketing National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app-
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 80% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 100

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Shoney's Restaurants Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Golden Corral

    Golden Corral restaurants began as budget steakhouses located principally in small cities from Virginia to Texas. In the mid-1980s, guest requests prompted Golden Corral to reinvent itself by introducing the Buffet & Grill Metro unit that features 160 hot and cold items, a carving station, and the Brass Bell Bakery, which offers rolls, muffins, cookies, pies and pizza made from scratch. The buffet was expanded in 2001 to include cooked-to-order sirloin steaks.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a restaurant ranges from $2,700,795 to $5,340,215 for the less expensive restaurant design, and from $3,453,379 to $7,037,915 for the more expensive restaurant design. This amount includes $51,400 to $4,482,285 that must or may be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

    #90 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Shoney's Restaurants

    Since 1947, Shoney’s has been known for authentic southern dishes that are available for breakfast, lunch, supper and to-go.
    Today, after completing an extensive revitalization program that includes a focus on freshly prepared, innovative menu items, beautifully redesigned restaurants with flat screen TV’s and modern furnishings and the commitment to give back to the communities we serve, Shoney’s truly is better than ever.
    Shoney’s is a Nashville-based company with more than 140 restaurants located in 16 states. Each restaurant strives to give back and be a pillar to the community, which is the hallmark of Shoney’s culture. We support local schools, sports teams, the military, firefighters, police, EMTs and more.
    From San Antonio, Texas to Dover, Ohio and every location in between, our restaurants are committed to partner with the communities we serve.

    Grow with us! Make Shoney’s a part of your future and invest in a business you’ll be proud to own.