Celebrating a birthday or promotions at a restaurant seems like the norm these days. I remember growing up how my mom would painstakingly plan, prepare and cook for 15-30 people every year for my birthday.
She would spend an entire day shopping for ingredients, decorations and party favors. Then on the day of the party she would wake up at 4:00 AM so she can start cooking and decorating the house. And after the party we all had to clean up the mess.
These days, we celebrate special events in a restaurant because it’s convenient and hassle-free. And it’s not so expensive either.
In fact, just last month, we celebrated my brother’s birthday at Golden Corral and invited 32 people. If you’re wondering how much it costs to have a party at Golden Corral, then read on my friend.
Quick Overview of Golden Corral’s Group Dining
Golden Corral can cater to large groups of up to 100 people or more. Many of their restaurants have a seating capacity of 300-400 people. However, it’s necessary to make a reservation in advance to ensure that they can accommodate you and your group.
Here’s what GC has stated on their website:
We Know How to Please a Crowd!
From special accommodations for food allergies to extended group hours, our service, variety, and high-quality standards make us the restaurant of choice for groups across the country. Our MotorCoach Certification program prepares each of our restaurant locations to serve large groups with excellence and ensures the highest level of hospitality at all of our designated locations.
- Large Seating Capacity
- Endless Buffets
- Members of NTA, ABA, SYTA
- Online Reservation Platform
Our private dining room is the perfect place for your group to celebrate birthdays, sports teams, showers, reunions…whatever the occasion, Golden Corral® likes to throw a party!
For large parties of up to 24 guests, you need to reserve at least 48 hours in advance.
Tour groups or private dining (25 or more guests), a reservation 72-hours in advance is needed.
You can contact Golden Corral here for inquiries and reservations.
The Cost of a Party at Golden Corral
Golden Corral doesn’t have party packages that I’m aware of. The amount you pay depends on a couple of factors:
- Time and day of your visit
- Golden Corral location
- Number of people in your party
- Ongoing promotions
Let’s discuss the first one – time and day of your visit.
Golden Corral has different buffet rates for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The prices are also different for weekdays and weekends. To give you an idea of the prices, here are some approximations:
- Breakfast is $12.99 for adults and between $9 to $10 for kids, but is only available on weekends.
- Lunch is $11.49 for adults and between $9 to $10 for kids, available Mondays through Saturdays typically from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Dinner, on the other hand, is $16.99 for adults and between $10 to $12 for kids and is available Mondays through Saturdays after 4:00 PM, but on Sundays it starts after 11:00 AM.
The location of your Golden Corral restaurant also affects the cost. That’s because some of their restaurants are priced higher or lower than others.
For example, this GC restaurant at the Bronx in NY charges $13.49 for breakfast and lunch, and $19.99 for dinner. Meanwhile this Golden Corral located in Wichita charges $11.99 for breakfast and lunch, and $16.49 for dinner.
So for the purpose of this discussion, let’s assume you’re a group of 50 adults and you want to celebrate your birthday at Golden Corral with a lunch buffet at 11:30 AM. If the lunch buffet rate is $11.49 (which seems to be the going rate for most locations), then you will pay $574.50 (before taxes) for your whole party. Golden Correl also has special offers for senior citizens.
Take note this amount does not include tax and gratuity. If you’re a large group, be generous when tipping your servers. Even though it’s a buffet, they will still prepare your tables and private dining room, plus will also clean up your tables during and after your visit.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that select GC restaurants may have promotions or deals which you can take advantage of. This GC in Bensalem, PA previously had a promo giving away 2 free buffets for those dining in groups of 25 people or more. It may be worth your while to scour the internet, the official Golden Corral website or call your local restaurant to see if there are deals available.
Events or Parties You Can Celebrate at Golden Corral
Wondering what special occasions you can celebrate at Golden Corral? Here are some of them:
Birthday Parties
Got a birthday coming up? Why not celebrate with a buffet feast? Load up on all your favorite dishes and desserts, and don’t forget to blow out the candles on that cake.
Baby / Bridal Showers
Shower the mama-to-be or bride-to-be with love and delicious food. It’s the perfect spot to gather with friends and family to celebrate these special milestones.
Team Sports Banquets
Score big with your team by hosting your sports banquet at Golden Corral so you can refuel after the game with hearty meals.
Graduations / Retirements
Whether you’re tossing your cap in the air or saying goodbye to the 9-to-5 grind, Golden Corral is the place to celebrate your achievements.
Holiday Celebrations
Forget about roasting that turkey. Make it a hassle-free holiday with your loved ones and feast on an endless amount of food.
Reunions
Reconnect with relatives or classmates over a buffet spread and swap stories, catch up on old times, and enjoy quality time together over good food.
Wedding Rehearsals
Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to weddings! Gather your wedding party for a rehearsal dinner at Golden Corral and fuel up before the big day.
Office / Corporate Meetings
Meetings do not have to be long and boring. Spice things up with a buffet lunch or dinner to boost morale and keep everyone satisfied during those long workdays.
Bus Tour Groups
Hit the road and stop by Golden Corral for a delicious meal on your next bus tour. It’s the perfect pit stop to refuel and recharge before hitting the road again.
Church / Community Groups
Bring your congregation or community group together for some fellowship and food. It’s a great way to bond and build relationships over a shared meal.
Anniversaries
Celebrate your love story with a romantic dinner or with an intimate group consisting of family and friends. Toast to another year together with champagne and indulge in all your favorite dishes.