What must a Golden Corral franchisee submit to Golden Corral regarding the architect they employ?
Golden_Corral Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5.3 Pre-Conditions to Constructing and Reimaging Restaurant Premises: Before commencing any construction, reimaging or renovation of the Restaurant, Franchisee, at its expense, shall comply, to Franchisor's satisfaction, with all of the following requirements:
5.3.1 Franchisee shall employ a licensed architect to prepare and seal the site-adapted plans and specifications for construction and/or reimaging of the Restaurant, referred to in Section 5.4, and Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor a statement identifying the architect;
5.3.2 Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor, for Franchisor's approval, the site-adapted plans and specifications adapting Franchisor's then-current generic plans and specifications to Franchisee's location and to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
When approved by Franchisor, such site-adapted plans and specifications shall thereafter not be changed or modified without the prior written consent of Franchisor;
- 5.3.3 Franchisor shall provide Franchisee written notice of approval or disapproval of the site-adapted plans and specifications within sixty (60) days after receipt of such plans and specifications from Franchisee;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 84–85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Golden Corral's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, before starting any construction, reimaging, or renovation of the restaurant, a franchisee must employ a licensed architect to prepare and seal the site-adapted plans and specifications for the construction or reimaging. The franchisee is then required to submit a statement to Golden Corral that identifies the architect.
In addition to identifying the architect, the franchisee must also submit the site-adapted plans and specifications to Golden Corral for approval. These plans should adapt Golden Corral's current generic plans to the franchisee's specific location, while also complying with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
Golden Corral has 60 days to provide written notice of approval or disapproval after receiving the site-adapted plans and specifications from the franchisee. Once approved, these plans cannot be changed without prior written consent from Golden Corral. This process ensures that the restaurant's design and construction align with Golden Corral's standards and legal requirements.