Building a More Golden Corral

Cardboard, duct tape and plywood played vital roles in focusing the recently unveiled new prototype redesign for Golden Corral restaurants in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Lance Trenary, the franchise’s President and Chief Executive Officer, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine the story of how a mockup housed in a warehouse proved to be an invaluable time and cost saver for the project called Gateway.

“We spent a day walking through it and we able to correct so many things that looked good on paper. But, when we saw them in cardboard and plywood, we knew they wouldn’t work in brick and mortar. It saved us thousands,” he said.

Before they could get to that point, Golden Corral embarked on a nearly two-year long process to revitalize the design that included surveying franchisees and guests to learn what elements worked and what needed improvement. To complete the redesign effort, executives at the grill-buffet chain turned to two design firms: FRCH Design Worldwide…