White Hen Pantry vs Golden Corral Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
White Hen Pantry Franchise
Golden Corral Franchise
Investment $52,400 - $225,200$2,700,795 - $7,037,915
Franchise Fee $30,000$50,000
Royalty Fee Varies4%
Advertising Fee -2.4%
Year Founded 19651973
Year Franchised 19651986
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee -15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options)


Business Experience Requirements

 
White Hen Pantry Franchise
Golden Corral Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • (or must have partner with industry experience.)

  • Financing Options

     
    White Hen Pantry Franchise
    Golden Corral Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory Yes/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    White Hen Pantry Franchise
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 665 hours Classroom Training: 8.5 hours Additional Training: At company training location
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter 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 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    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

     
    White Hen Pantry Franchise
    Golden Corral Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About White Hen Pantry

    White Hen Pantry Inc. was bought out by 7-Eleven
    White Hen Pantry Inc. was founded in 1965 and began franchising that same year. The Elmhurst, Illinois-based company has more than 280 locations in the United States.

    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.