ConnectWiseConnectWise
Mandatoryrosoft Office 365 Weekly by electronic You are required to use Software - $30.40 per month transfer these programs and to per location access them through GCC’s enterprise license ConnectWise for each
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Golden Corral
Quick service restaurantGolden Corral's franchise agreement puts software purchasing under HQ control: franchisees must run the Qu point-of-sale system, ConnectWise, CrunchTime and RBS WorldPay processing that Golden Corral mandates under Items 6, 8 and 11. The system spans 348 units, 344 of them franchised, across a footprint led by Texas, Florida and North Carolina.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
348
344 franchised
Unit growth YoY
-1.149%
vs prior filing
AUV
$4.92M
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
4%
of gross sales
Ad fund
2%
national + local
Initial fee
$50K
per unit
Investment range
$1.48M–$6.17M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
6%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
4 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
CrunchTimeCrunchTime
Mandatoryst for non-warranty maintenance is per year for each register is not known. You must also maintain access to Golden Corral’s proprietary electronic learning platform available via DiscoverLink/Cruncht
QuQu
Mandatoryle software system that we designate, which currently is Qu, Inc. or such other system provider that we select, (5) a point-of-sale hardware equipment supplier, which currently is Qu, Inc. and/or such
WorldpayWorldpay
Mandatoryat we 24 Golden Corral 2026 FDD designate (we currently designate Coke and Dr. Pepper products); (3) processing of Golden Corral Gift Card transactions, for which you must use RBS WorldPay (and/or suc
IngenicoIngenico
select the HaaS program, the upfront charge is $3,116.90 per location for the “minimum” Qu hardware package comprised of 2 POS terminals, 1 Kitchen Display System (KDS) unit and 2 Ingenico Lane 7000 c
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
29 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 1 explicit no; 4 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall record all sales at or from the Restaurant using cash registers or other point-of-sale equipment and computer software meeting Franchisor’s standards and specifications and approved by Franchisor.
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We will have independent access to your computer system and the right to retrieve the data and information that we deem necessary.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor, no later than the tenth (10th) of each month during the term of this Agreement, after the opening of the Restaurant, an unaudited profit and loss statement, in the form prescribed by Franchisor, accurately reflecting all gross sales during the preceding month and such other data…
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
Our parent, GCC, is an approved supplier for a variety of restaurant equipment, fixtures, furnishings, signs, and computer hardware and
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 11
Golden Corral has established a franchise advisory council comprised solely of 14 franchisee members.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor reserves the right from time to time and at any time to add, delete, or modify System marketing and restaurant monitoring
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
In addition, we and our affiliates have the right to collect and retain any and all allowances, rebates, credits, or benefits (collectively, “Allowances”) offered by manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors to us or our affiliates based upon franchisees’ purchases of products and services from them.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
100Item 8
We estimate that your purchases from approved suppliers will represent approximately 100% of your total purchases and leases in both establishing your Restaurant and in the continuing operation of your Restaurant.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
You or the supplier must pay a charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection and the actual cost of the test.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you desire to purchase an Item from an unapproved source (and assuming we have not designated a specific source for the Item), you must submit to Golden Corral a written request for approval, or must request the supplier itself to do so.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI/DSS), as updated and revised by the PCI Security Standards Council, LLC (see www.pcisecuritystandards.org), and/or such other security practices as may become industry standard for credit and/or debit card payments.
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall implement Franchisor’s approved customer feedback program as such program may exist from time to time, and obtain at Franchisee’s expense, from a vendor approved by Franchisor, periodic “customer feedback” reports and supply Franchisor, at Franchisee’s expense, with copies of such completed customer…
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall grant Franchisor, its agents and its representatives, the right to enter upon the Restaurant premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of conducting inspections;
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor may from time to time revise the contents of the Manuals, and Franchisee expressly agrees to comply with each new or changed standard or procedure.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
you must submit a completed Feasibility Study, a description of the proposed site, such other information and materials as Golden Corral may reasonably require, and a letter of intent or other evidence satisfactory to Golden Corral which confirms your favorable prospects for obtaining the proposed site.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
Unless approved in writing by Golden Corral, you may not register, maintain, or sponsor any website, URL, social media page or account, blog, feed, email account, user name, text address, messaging address, mobile application, or other electronic, mobile or online medium that uses or displays any of the Proprietary…
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
you must conduct a pre- and post- opening advertising campaign in the manner we require.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
You must contribute and/or expend an amount which ranges from 2% to 6% of Gross Sales on advertising.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesFranchise agreement
If a Regional Fund for Franchisee’s region is established at any time during the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall become a member of such Regional Fund and shall make contributions to the Regional Fund as required under Sections 4.3 and 11.1 effective upon the date on which the Regional Fund commences…
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
We do not require you to purchase any goods or services from Golden Corral or from suppliers designated by Golden Corral, except for: (1) one or more independent foodservice distributors we designate as the primary distributor of food and supplies to Golden Corral restaurants;
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase all Items used in the operation of the Restaurant solely from suppliers (such as distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers, or brokers) who demonstrate, to the continuing reasonable satisfaction of Golden Corral, the ability to meet Golden Corral’s then-current standards and specifications for such…
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
processing of Golden Corral Gift Card transactions, for which you must use RBS WorldPay (and/or such other processor as Golden Corral may designate in the future)
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor shall have the right to require in the Manuals or otherwise in writing that Franchisee make such payments to Franchisor or to a bank account specified by Franchisor on a weekly basis by electronic fund transfer, pre- authorized auto-draft arrangement, or such other means as Franchisor may specify from…
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesFranchise agreement
In addition, Franchisee shall be required to participate in all programs Franchisor requires for the sale of all gift cards or bonus cards sold for use at Golden Corral restaurants.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee agrees to maintain a competent, conscientious, trained staff, including such minimum number of employees as may be prescribed by Franchisor and, except as prescribed in the Manuals or otherwise approved by Franchisor in writing, at least one full-time general manager, one full-time associate…
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
to comply with such requirements relating to dress codes and uniforms as Franchisor may prescribe
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must use Qu’s Premium POS Station (Razor model with 11 inch Customer-facing Display).
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have independent access to your computer system and the right to retrieve the data and information that we deem necessary.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
Your managers also must attend, at your expense, such refresher courses, additional training programs, and seminars as Golden Corral may designate from time to time.
The filing answers no to 1 question
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?Franchise agreement
Who buys here
The buyer at this brand
The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.
HQ leadership: CEO/President + VP Ops/Franchise + a first dedicated IT/systems owner.
VP SalesHead of SalesCROSales Director
- 41.9% of quick service brands mandate no POS system, leaving a massive blind spot in your target list.By instantly identifying the 452 brands with no POS mandate, you replace weeks of manual FDD research and focus your pipeline on high-fit displacement targets, cutting customer acquisition cost by over 60%.
- 82.3% of brands mandate no accounting system, signaling a wide-open market for tech vendors.FranCloud surfaces the 888 brands without an accounting mandate so your team can prioritize outreach before competitors even know they exist, turning a manual research cost center into a predictable revenue engine.
- Only 17 out of 1,079 quick service brands mandate a CRM, yet unit counts and AUVs prove these are high-value accounts.Instead of spending 40+ hours manually combing FDDs to find CRM-needy brands, FranCloud delivers the 17 mandate-holders and their financials in one query, letting your team close deals 10x faster.
The vendor opportunity at Golden Corral
Golden Corral operates 348 family-oriented buffet/grill restaurants, 344 of them franchised, headquartered in North Carolina. Item 19 of the FDD makes a financial performance representation: for a cohort of 315 of the system's 343 franchised restaurants — excluding 7 that closed, 1 open under six months, and 27 that did not report — 2025 average gross sales were $4,923,317 for the 263 Metro-market restaurants, $3,698,944 for the 50 Small-market restaurants and $4,475,585 for the 2 Non-Traditional restaurants, based on historical data. Franchised outlets fell 1.1% year over year, so the near-term opportunity for a vendor leans more on remodels and renewals across an established base than on new-unit growth.
Who controls software purchasing
Software purchasing at Golden Corral runs through headquarters. Item 11 obliges franchisees to acquire and use the computer hardware and software Golden Corral specifies, and Item 8's approved-supplier model pushes an estimated 100% of a franchisee's purchases through suppliers Golden Corral has approved. Chief Information Officer Dawn S. Gillis leads that stack alongside CEO Michael Lance Trenary and Chief Development Officer David M. Conklin — the buying center a vendor should approach for a system-wide deal.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
Golden Corral's FDD mandates the Qu, Inc. point-of-sale system — specifically the Premium POS Station, Razor model with an 11-inch customer-facing display — along with ConnectWise and CrunchTime's e-learning platform, accessed via DiscoverLink/Crunchtime. RBS WorldPay is the mandated processor for Golden Corral Gift Card transactions. Ingenico payment terminals are in use in the system. The filing also designates Decision Logic as the current back-of-house management solution and AT&T as the current cybersecure network and internet infrastructure provider, though Golden Corral reserves the right to name a different provider for either in the future. Item 6 also requires Microsoft Office 365, CheckPoint email security, Cisco Umbrella, SentinelOne, Qualys, SpyCloud, Patch My PC, KnowBe4, the CBS Northstar recipe viewer and the FranchiSEE business intelligence dashboard, accessed through GCC’s enterprise license.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 runs an approved-supplier list: franchisees must purchase goods, services, fixtures and equipment conforming to Golden Corral's specifications from approved suppliers, with an estimated 100% of purchases running through that list. Golden Corral's parent, GCC, is itself an approved supplier for restaurant equipment, fixtures and computer hardware and software services, and drew $1,205,606 — 0.9% of its total revenue — from those franchisee services in fiscal 2025. The royalty runs 4.0% of sales, and Item 17 grants two five-year renewal terms to franchisees who renovate, stay current on payments and sign Golden Corral's then-current agreement, giving vendors a regular window to revisit the technology stack.
How to read the Golden Corral FDD
The embedded viewer below carries Golden Corral's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full, including the Item 11 technology and Item 8 supplier-restriction language summarized above.
Talk to FranCloud for a ranked list of franchise systems like Golden Corral where the technology mandate and renewal cadence line up with your product.
Questions vendors ask
Golden Corral, answered from the filing
Golden Corral's headquarters sets the technology mandate directly through Items 6, 8 and 11. Chief Information Officer Dawn S. Gillis, alongside CEO Michael Lance Trenary and Chief Development Officer David M. Conklin, is the buying center a vendor should target for a system-wide pitch rather than restaurant by restaurant.
Golden Corral mandates the Qu, Inc. point-of-sale system (Premium POS Station, Razor model), ConnectWise, CrunchTime's e-learning platform, and RBS WorldPay for gift-card processing. Ingenico payment terminals are in use. The FDD also designates Decision Logic for back-of-house management and AT&T for network infrastructure.
348 total units — 344 franchised and 4 company-owned — in the family-oriented buffet/grill restaurant segment, with the largest concentrations in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, California and Georgia.
Item 8 runs an approved-supplier list: franchisees buy items conforming to Golden Corral's specifications from approved suppliers, with an estimated 100% of purchases running through that list. Franchisees may propose an alternative supplier for approval.
Item 17 grants two five-year renewal terms to franchisees who renovate, stay current on payments and sign Golden Corral's then-current agreement. With franchised outlets down 1.1% year over year, near-term openings lean more on renewals and remodels than new-unit builds.
The embedded PDF viewer below carries Golden Corral's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
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Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
336 operators run 336 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit336
Top states by locations
| TX | 48 |
|---|---|
| FL | 32 |
| NC | 26 |
| CA | 20 |
| GA | 18 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind Golden Corral
unknown of investors management.
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.