What is the amount of the transfer fee for a Golden Corral franchise?

According to the 2025 Golden Corral Franchise Disclosure Document, a transfer fee is required when transferring a franchise, except when it is transferred to a corporation or limited liability company formed for ownership convenience. The transfer fee is 5% of the then-current standard initial franchise fee that Golden Corral charges for a restaurant utilizing the restaurant design franchised under the agreement. If that design is not currently offered, the fee will be 5% of the initial franchise fee for the restaurant design closest in interior square footage to the restaurant being transferred.

This means that if a franchisee decides to sell their Golden Corral franchise to another individual or entity (excluding transfers to a corporation or LLC formed for ownership convenience), they will have to pay Golden Corral a transfer fee. The amount of this fee is directly tied to the initial franchise fee that Golden Corral is charging at the time of the transfer for new restaurants.

For a prospective franchisee, this highlights the importance of understanding the current initial franchise fee and how it might change over time, as this will directly impact the cost of transferring the franchise in the future. It also incentivizes structuring ownership through a corporation or LLC from the outset, as transfers to such entities for convenience are exempt from the fee. Franchisees should also be aware that Golden Corral retains some discretion in evaluating the proposed sale price of the franchise to ensure a reasonable return on investment for the buyer.