Golden Corral vs Golden Griddle Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Golden Corral Franchise
Golden Griddle Franchise
Investment $2,700,795 - $7,037,915$100,000 - $450,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.4%-
Year Founded 19731964
Year Franchised 19861977
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee 15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options)-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Golden Corral Franchise
Golden Griddle Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • (or must have partner with industry experience.)

  • General business experience
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Golden Griddle 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 PlatformInternet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    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)

    		 Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 - 30

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Golden Griddle Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    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 Golden Griddle

    Golden Griddle was established in 1964, and started franchising in 1977. Their head office is located in Toronto, Ontario Canada, and the company is privately owned. Each Golden Griddle Family Restaurant is owned and operated by a franchisee in their local area, you can find many of these franchises open 24 hours. The Golden Griddle is famous for their great delicious pancakes and all day breakfast. They have a Kids menu, and serve a wide variety of meals for lunch and dinner, and are licensed to serve beer, wine and alcohol. There are Golden Griddle locations in the Greater Toronto area, South Western Ontario, Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario.