Golden Corral’s endless buffet is an ideal destination for many families who want to enjoy a hearty meal together, especially on Sundays. This family-oriented chain offers many American staples in an all-you-can-eat format that appeals to all ages. Golden Corral has been around for 50+ years and has grown into a successful buffet chain with nearly 400 locations across the United States.
Golden Corral’s Typical Customers
Numerator reveals that the typical Golden Corral patron is a Black retiree over 65 years old. These customers often reside in rural or suburban areas within the South Central and South Atlantic areas like Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia and the Washington DC.
The average household income of Golden Corral customers is under $80,000 annually, and most have attained a high school diploma or GED. Interestingly, this demographic mirrors that of the average Texas Roadhouse customer, who also tends to be over 65 and lives in the south.
Golden Corral is well-known for its vast buffet selection and has a devoted customer base. The COVID-19 pandemic was at first a challenge for buffet-style dining. To my knowledge, all Golden Corral’s locations temporarily halted indoor dining at that time. However, by August, the situation had improved greatly with bustling activity and packed restaurants across the country.
On average, a Golden Corral customer spends $28.42 per visit and makes five trips to the buffet chain every year. Popular selections include steaks, ready-made sandwiches, fruit juice, soda and tea.
Golden Corral patrons average 54 restaurant visits per year and spend $32.27 per visit. Also, they are more likely to dine out on weekends compared to the general population. According to Numerator, Sundays are among the busiest days for Golden Corral, followed by Wednesdays.
Sunday’s the Busiest Day at Golden Corral – From a Server’s POV
Buffet restaurants, especially all-you-can-eat spots like Golden Corral, see a significant surge in activity on Sundays. Families often choose to dine together after church services and may even dine with other families as one large group.
According to one server, the restaurant handles numerous large tables simultaneously, which becomes particularly hectic when it’s time for everyone to settle their bills. Imagine managing payments for 30 people across seven different checks—it’s chaotic.
Moreover, the presence of young children with these families means the aftermath can resemble a battleground. I’m not just talking about clearing the tables but also dealing with the mess left on the floor like crushed crayons, scattered food and spilled drinks.
Customers POV on Sunday Dining at Golden Corral
I’ve also gathered some feedback I found online from customers who dined at Golden Corral on Sundays:
I have found this particular location to be much more cramped and less navigable, and during the evenings (especially on Sundays), it is so crowded that you can barely move. People are right up against you regardless of where you are seated or standing.
We were there about 2:00 on a Sunday, and it was quite crowded. Didn’t have to wait for a table, though. Some of the food containers were empty, so had to check back if you really wanted what was in there. Pricey buffet, and it doesn’t include a drink, so came to almost $20 per person.
Sunday afternoon is very busy. A lot of people enjoying their food and conversation. Food was hot and good. A lot of choices to choose from. I recommend if this is what you choose for home cooked meal.
Should You Dine at Golden Corral on a Sunday?
I wouldn’t explicitly warn you against dining at Golden Corral on Sundays but rather, to plan it well. The busiest time at GC on weekends is dinner which is between 6PM to 9PM. If you want to go there on a Sunday then do so in between peak hours just to avoid the crowd and long lines. So if you could dine between 2PM to 5PM then you should be OK. On the other hand if you are celebrating a special occasion and will be dining with a large group, then perhaps you may want to consider other restaurants especially if it falls on a weekend.