Golden Corral vs Hooters Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Golden Corral Franchise
Hooters Franchise
Investment $2,700,795 - $7,037,915$956,500 - $4,275,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$75,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.4%2.5%
Year Founded 19731983
Year Franchised 19861986
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
Hooters Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • (or must have partner with industry experience.)
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Hooters Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Hooters Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 665 hours Classroom Training: 8.5 hours Additional Training: At company training location On-The-Job Training: Varies Classroom Training: Varies
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development 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
    Hooters Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    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 Hooters

    There are no franchise opportunities available in the United States. Every region has been sold and our franchisees are not allowed to sub-franchise. International Hooters of America has franchise opportunities in the following countries: * Baltic States * Belorussia * Benelux * Bolivia * Bulgaria * Canada (Newfoundland) * Czech Republic * Denmark * Dominican Republic * Ecuador * Finland * France (multi-territory) * Hungary * Iceland * Italy (multi-territory) * Netherlands * Norway * Poland