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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the most common questions we are asked about our Golden Corral® restaurants and corporation.
General
Rewards
Good as Gold Club

General FAQs

How do I find the phone number or address for a Golden Corral restaurant?

Simply enter a city or zip code, or select use your location on the store locator page in order to access a particular location. Information includes address, phone number, and map.

How can I contact Golden Corral Corporation’s home office?

Go to our Contact Us page and fill out the online form and include your comments/questions/suggestions or contact us directly at:

Golden Corral Corporation
5400 Trinity Road, Ste. 309.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-781-9310

I’m interested in the restaurant industry as a career. How do I find out about job opportunities at Golden Corral?

Visit our Careers site to view the most current career opportunities and learn more about what Golden Corral has to offer.

Does Golden Corral offer Gift Cards?

Yes. We offer Gift Cards in the amount of $5 up to $50. They can be purchased at a restaurant near you or on our gift cards page.

Are Gift Cards refundable?

Unfortunately, Golden Corral® gift card purchases are non-refundable and not redeemable for cash except as required by applicable law due to compliance with Federal and State Laws regulating the issuance and sale of gift cards, and then only to the extent required by applicable law. Your gift card does not expire, and may be redeemed at any Golden Corral restaurant across the country. You may redeem a gift card in a state that has a law requiring Golden Corral to provide cash back on remaining small gift card balances by requesting cash back at any participating Golden Corral located in one of those states. Please click here for a current list of states with gift card cash back requirements and threshold levels for each.

Is takeout, to go, and catering available?

Yes, all three are available.

Takeout: All menu and buffet items can be packaged for takeout.

To Go: Golden Corral offers Meals To Go, entrees, side, desserts and beverages. Items available can be viewed and ordered on our Order Online page.

Catering: Large party platters re available for pickup. Items available can be viewed and ordered on our Order Online page.

Is delivery available?

Yes, delivery is available in most locations. To find your preferred delivery service, please see the Golden Corral restaurant info pages at https://www.goldencorral.com/locations/ for your nearest location’s delivery options.

How do I submit a comment about a Golden Corral restaurant I’ve recently visited?

Use our Contact Us page to access our customer comment form (link appears at the footer of each page). We welcome customer comments and suggestions and are happy to respond, if you desire, to your feedback in order to resolve a problem.

Who can I talk to about problems using the website?

Please use the contact us form and select “Technical Questions About GoldenCorral.com” to submit comments about the website. This section is only meant for comments about the website and not about Golden Corral locations.

What do I need to view PDF documents?

PDF is the file extension for Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is a free program available from Adobe.com’s website. This is the online standard viewer for all documents that are web-enabled and compatible. If you attempt to view a PDF document on our website and have trouble, please download the latest Adobe Acrobat Viewer from Adobe.com.

I’m interested in a Golden Corral Franchise. Who should I talk to?

The Franchising section of the site will provide detailed information about franchise opportunities as well as contact information in order to send an inquiry to the Franchise Development Team.

Golden Corral Rewards FAQS

GENERAL

What are Golden Corral Rewards?

Earn points and rewards each time you enjoy Golden Corral – in our restaurants or at home! You’ll earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on qualified purchases. When you reach 100 points, you’ll receive a $10 Off Rewards. Download our app in the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching for “Golden Corral”.

Do I need to be a rewards member to participate in Golden Corral Rewards?

Yes, you must be a registered rewards member to participate in Golden Corral Rewards. If you are a current member of the Good As Gold Club, you will still need to register to earn rewards.

Do I need to download the app to be a rewards member?

The app is the best way to experience Golden Corral’s Rewards, but you can also sign up online. Please note that app and online accounts may not be interchangeable. Click here to join Golden Corral Rewards Online. 

Do all Golden Corral locations in the U.S. participate in the rewards program?

Yes, all Golden Corral restaurants in the U.S. and Puerto Rico are participating in Golden Corral Rewards with the exception of Punta Gorda, FL.

Who has access to my information?

Golden Corral only has access to the information guests provide when signing up and will never share that information. We do not store user passwords.

ENROLLING

What bonus do I get for joining Golden Corral Rewards?

You’ll receive a $5 Off offer ($5 off $25 purchase in-restaurant or online at Golden Corral.com on your next visit valid for three weeks from the date received) just for joining. Qualified purchase of $25 before tax and gratuity required. Please note that this offer is only available for guests that download our mobile app.

How do I enroll to be a rewards member?

Download our app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for “Golden Corral”.

Can anyone become a rewards member?

Yes, everyone 18 years or older can be a rewards member.

Does it cost money to join Golden Corral Rewards?

No, this is completely free and our thanks to you for dining with Golden Corral.

EARNING POINTS

How do I earn points?

If you order online or through the Golden Corral app, while logged into your rewards account, you will automatically receive points from that purchase.

For dine-in purchases, scan the QR code at the bottom of your receipt through the “Earn Points” Page. You can also enter the receipt code numbers in manually to earn your points. Please note that points can only be added to your account if the receipt is entered within 3 days of your purchase.

If you are making a purchase in a restaurant at a location with a scanner, you will need to scan the QR code shown on your “Earn Points” Page. Please let a team member know that you would like to earn points on your purchase at checkout.

Points are earned on qualified purchases after all discounts and before tax and gratuity. Points cannot be earned on Gift Card or Alcohol purchases. Points can be earned when redeeming a Gift Card as a form of payment. Please note that Single-use Promotional Bonus Cards (typically received during the holidays) are not Gift Cards, and you will not earn Points when redeeming these cards.

Will I earn points on catering orders?

Currently, you will not receive points on Catering Orders, but we are working on a Catering Loyalty Program to reward you for serving Golden Corral at your event.

Will I earn points on delivery orders?

Points can only be earned on purchases made directly through Golden Corral. Points cannot be earned for orders placed through third party apps.

Do my points or rewards ever expire?

Yes. Your Rewards will expire one year from the date they are issued. Points will expire one year after your most recent activity in your rewards account. Please note the terms and conditions listed on your rewards and offers for specific expiration dates.

Do I get points for purchases I made before I joined the program?

No. Receipts from visits prior to your enrollment date are not eligible for points.

How do I refer a friend?

To refer a friend, please share your invitation code with them to enter when they join Golden Corral Rewards. You can find this code by going into your User Profile under “Invite Friends.” After they make their first purchase after joining Golden Corral Rewards, we’ll give you 20 bonus points toward your next reward.

REDEEMING REWARDS

How do I redeem my rewards?

Rewards can be redeemed at Golden Corral Restaurants or online.

To redeem rewards from your account in-store, click the “Redeem” button in the center of the REWARDS page and enter in how much you’d like to redeem. Please show the cashier your redemption code when you are at the restaurant placing your order.

If you’re placing an order through the app or online, Rewards can be added on the Payment screen at Checkout.

How will I know if I earned or received a reward?

If you received or earned a reward, you will receive a push notification through the app and/or an email, depending on what you have subscribed to.

Do I have to redeem all my $10 rewards on one visit?

No. You can redeem as much or as little as you want during your visit (up to $100 per single transaction). Think of it as a bank account for comfort food. If you do not use up the full dollar-amount reward, the remaining reward will be added back to your account. For example: if you have $10 in rewards, but only spend $4, $6 in rewards will be left in your account balance.

Do my rewards ever expire?

Yes, your rewards will expire. All dollar-amount rewards will expire after one year from the date issued. All offers will expire based on the expiration date listed on the offer.

Can I redeem rewards on catering orders?

No. You cannot currently redeem rewards or earn points on Catering orders, but we are working on a Catering Loyalty Program to reward you for serving Golden Corral at your event.

Do I get a reward on my birthday?

The Birthday program is currently exclusive to the Good As Gold Email Club. In the future we may add this benefit to Golden Corral Rewards. If you’re already a member of the Good as Gold Club, you’ll still get your birthday email.

What if I have rewards, but I don’t live near a Golden Corral?

Unfortunately, we are unable to credit you in any form or fashion for unused rewards. If you have rewards, but are unable to redeem them because you’ve moved to an area where you are unable to access one of our stores or any other issue that would prevent you from redeeming rewards through our Golden Corral Rewards program.

OTHER

Can I have more than one rewards account?

Each guest can only have one Golden Corral Rewards account. If Golden Corral discovers abuse of the program by our fraud prevention mechanisms, Golden Corral reserves the right to suspend or delete accounts and is not responsible for rewards or points pertaining to the suspended or deleted accounts.

What is the difference between Rewards and Offers?

Rewards are given for earning Points, can be used individually or saved and combined to use for a special occasion. They will be valid for 365 days. Offers are more like coupons. They can be granted when certain criteria is met or just as a special bonus. Offers are only valid for a limited time and cannot be combined with other offers or rewards.

How are Golden Corral Rewards different from the Good as Gold email club?

Guests registered for Golden Corral Rewards will still receive offers and news about Golden Corral, but now will also be rewarded for dining with us as well. Members of the Good As Gold email club receive an exclusive offer on their birthday.

What if I have additional questions or concerns not answered by this FAQ?

This FAQ only shows a list of the most frequently asked questions about Golden Corral Rewards. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us here.

Good As Gold Club FAQS

How do I sign up for the Good as Gold Club?

Go to the Good As Gold Club sign-up page and fill out the form. After the form has been filled out and submitted, you will opt-in to receive marketing and informational email to the email address associated with your account. You will be able to opt-out or discontinue membership to the Good as Gold club at anytime.

Does my Good as Gold Club birthday coupon work at any location?

Offers are valid only at the Golden Corral you selected as your preferred location, or the restaurant in which you filled out a form.  This restaurant address is listed in the email you received from us.

OPTION:  If you would like to change your preferred Golden Corral location, please select the “update profile” link in the most recent email you received from the Good as Gold Club.  The new location will be reflected in all future mailings.

Why am I not receiving emails?

There are several reasons you may not be receiving emails.

    1. One reason could be that the last time we sent you a message, it bounced back to us and could not be delivered.
      It might have been a temporary situation with your email provider, or if you use a business email address, network filters may block the messages
      SOLUTION: Please be sure to check your SPAM folders for messages, and if you use a business email address, we suggest you use a different (non‐work) email address.
    2. Another reason may be that you signed up in a restaurant, and we have not yet entered your data, it may have been illegible, or it could have been entered incorrectly.
      SOLUTION:  The fastest way to join the club is online at our website on our Good as Gold Page. Once you’ve joined, you’ll receive your first message within 24 hours.  NOTE:  If you join online and are already in our system, you will be prompted with “We’re sorry.  A member with this email address already exists.” after clicking “submit.”
      In that case, club messages are most likely in your SPAM folder (item #Q1).

How do I update my profile?

You can easily update your profile information by clicking the link in the footer of the most recent email you received from us. The link will take you to a webpage where you can make any changes necessary, and submit the form to save those changes. Your profile is updated immediately after you submit the form.

Why am I having trouble viewing my email?

Many email providers do not automatically download images in emails from unknown senders.
SOLUTION:  To enable images and view your message, look for a link above or to the side: View Pictures, Show Content, or Enable All Content from This Sender. Look under Preferences or Options to adjust your settings.  If you are on a work computer or cannot change settings, forward the email to a different address to view and print. To change your address for future emails, use the Update My Information link at the bottom of your Good as Gold Club email.

My coupon will not print correctly. What should I do?

Before you attempt to print, make sure “Background Images” are enabled on your browser. Instructions on how to update this setting are below:
SOLUTION (by browser type):
Google Chrome: Click Menu > Print > Check box next to “Background colors and images”
Internet Explorer: Click Tools > Print > Page Setup > Check “Print background colors and images”
Firefox/Mozilla: Click File > Print > Page Setup > Check “Background (colors & images)”.
Safari: Click Print > Show Details  > Check box next to “Display background image”
If you continue to have issues, we recommend that you contact your email provider (such as Gmail, Hotmail, or
Outlook) to see if their helpdesk staff can assist you.  You are also welcome to contact our Tech Support Team
via email at [email protected].

I do not have a printer. What should I do?

A printed copy of the coupon is not required for redemption. You may show the coupon on your mobile device.

I received my birthday coupon, but my spouse did not. What should I do?

All guests must join the Good as Gold Club with their own email address to receive a birthday offer.  The email address is the unique identifier for each account. If you and your spouse (or family member) both registered in one of our restaurants using the same email address, only one of the entries was accepted.

LANCE TRENARY

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Lance Trenary began his restaurant career in his father’s restaurant at a young age, where he learned the value of guests and the people who serve them. Lance joined Golden Corral in 1986 as Partner Manager. After deciding to pursue a multiunit career with Golden Corral, he quickly rose through the system, holding leadership roles of increasing responsibility. He was named President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2015, leading America’s largest buffet and grill concept and becoming only the third person to hold this position in the brand’s 49-year history. This year marks Lance’s 36th year with Golden Corral.

Lance’s industry leadership includes his current role as Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Restaurant Association, as well as serving as a Trustee for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Lance also serves on the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association and is a former Chair (2016). He has chaired the Restaurant Industry Executive Council and served as a WFF CEO Advisory Council member.

Lance was the 2022 recipient of the highest honor in the restaurant industry, the IFMA Gold and Silver Plate Awards. In 2019, Lance was named the Restaurateur of the Year by NCRLA and was a past recipient of the Griff and June Glover Award for Distinguished Service. In addition, Lance was the recipient of the 2019 Chairman’s Award for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and was the National Restaurant Association’s 2020 Chairman’s Award recipient for outstanding leadership and contributions to the industry. He has also been named to the Society of Fellows of the Culinary Institute of America.

Committed to giving back, Lance served as a founding board member for Camp Corral, a summer camp for children of wounded or fallen military service members, and chaired the board in 2019. Lance also serves on the Founder’s Circle Advisory Board for Project Healing Waters, which is dedicated to physically and emotionally rehabilitating wounded or disabled military service personnel. He was honored by that organization with the Patriot Award for a lifelong commitment to our military veterans. In addition, he is a passionate supporter of ProStart for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. He contributes time and resources to help young people explore career opportunities in the industry he loves. He makes supporting the development of the future leaders of the restaurant industry a personal priority.

Lance and his wife of 37 years, Paulette, have two adult daughters, Elizabeth and Ally-Catherine.

JIM LAVERTY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Jim has been part of the Golden Corral family for over 41 years. In 2014, Jim was appointed Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration of Golden Corral and GC Cares. In his current role as the Chief Financial Officer of Golden Corral Corporation, Jim directs the Accounting and IT Departments and is responsible for the protection of the financial assets of the company, coordination of the company’s budget, financial forecasting for the strategic plan and maintaining the company’s records.

Jim graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from Penn State University in 1979.

He is an avid golfer and sports enthusiasts as well as an active member of his church family. Making their home in Cary, NC, Jim and his wife enjoy spending time with their children and their spouses as well as their grandchildren.

SHELLEY WOLFORD

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Shelley Wolford has worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years.  She joined the extended leadership team at Golden Corral Corporation ten years ago, first as Vice President of National Marketing for six years, before moving into a senior leadership role as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Communications.  This year, Shelley’s role expanded to Chief People Officer, which includes leadership responsibility for Human Resources, while retaining her strategy and communications responsibilities. 

Shelley also dedicates time to advancing meaningful industry causes through her roles as Foundation Board Vice Chair for the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, Advisory Board member for the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, and Advisory Council member for the Global Foodservice Hospitality Exchange.  In addition, she was recently appointed to the North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission to join educators and community leaders to ensure that the state has an effective and efficient workforce development system that meets the current and future needs of workers and businesses.

Shelley received her B.S. in Hotel and Food Administration from Boston University and an MBA from Georgetown University.  She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband Denny and their dog Nutmeg.

PAUL “SKIP” HANKE

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Skip Hanke joined Golden Corral Corporation as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in 2021. Skip is responsible for Golden Corral’s National Marketing, Advertising, and Media Plan, as well as its Local Store Marketing and Off-Premise Business.  As CMO, Skip is also responsible for Food & Beverage / Culinary Innovation, Guest Insights, and Purchasing.

As a 4th Generation U.S.Navy Veteran, Skip achieved the rank of Lieutenant as a United States Naval Officer.

Skip holds both a BA in Economics with distinction from Duke University (cum laude) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  An avid golfer and sports fan, he lives in Cary, North Carolina.

DAVID CONKLIN

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

David Conklin has worked in the hospitality industry for over 22 years.  He joined the Golden Corral Senior Leadership Team 8 years ago, first as the Senior Vice President of Development before being promoted to Chief Development Officer.  David leads our efforts for Company Growth and Brand Expansion, Innovation and Remodels.  He is responsible for Franchise Development, Real Estate, Construction and Coastal Equipment – Golden Corral’s equipment company.   He also dedicates time to the expansion of the hospitality industry and increasing visibility of the industry as a career path by supporting the East Carolina University School of Hospitality Leadership as an Advisory Board Member.

David received his both his B.A. in Legal Studies, and J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.   He lives in the Raleigh, North Carolina area with his family.

CHAPPELL PHILLIPS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT / GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY

Chappell Phillips is the Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Golden Corral Corporation, leading the company’s Legal Department and overseeing all legal aspects of key strategic activities. He has been a member of the Senior Leadership Team since 2017, first as Senior Vice President before being promoted to Executive Vice President in 2021. He has also served as an officer of GC Cares since its inception in 2017. Prior to joining Golden Corral in 2013 as Assistant General Counsel, Chappell spent 18 years practicing in-house at various companies, including 11 years with Kimball International, a global manufacturer based in Indiana.

Chappell enjoys actively advocating for the interests of the restaurant industry as a member of the Board of Directors of the Restaurant Law Center, serving as Chairman from 2020 through 2022.

A native Tar Heel, Chappell received a BA in Latin American Studies and JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chappell is licensed to practice law in North Carolina. He and his wife Elaine live in Hillsborough, NC and have seven children and a dog Luna. Outside of work he enjoys time with family and church friends, playing pickleball, tennis, and basketball, and attending UNC basketball games.