By Lance Trenary, President & CEO of Golden Corral Corporation
As President & CEO of Golden Corral Corporation, I have had the opportunity to lead a brand that has thrived amidst industry challenges and evolving consumer preferences. Our success extends beyond serving high quality food at affordable prices; it is about nurturing a culture that resonates with both our employees and network of franchisees. This people-first culture has fostered strong bonds and led to multiple multi-generation franchise groups and employees dedicating their entire careers to Golden Corral. This has required an intentional focus to align franchise and employment opportunities with our mission, vision, and values, which is the foundation of our success.
We have always believed that our people are our greatest asset — from the kitchen staff to the corporate support center team and our franchise owners, each play a vital role in shaping the guest experience. A key component of building our strong company culture has been stable, tenured leadership. In addition to myself, many other team members and franchisees have been with the brand for over 35 years, which is a testament to our culture. Stability in leadership is not just a coincidence; it is a deliberate effort to cultivate trust, consistency, and a sense of belonging within our organization.
We have been honored with multiple workplace recognition awards highlighting our commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment. This recognition is often based on independent surveys and reflects our tangible efforts to create a workplace where collaboration thrives, and every voice is valued. We actively foster an inclusive environment where diverse opinions and open dialogue are facilitated and encouraged, at all levels of the organization. From onboarding new hires to recognizing and celebrating team members who embody our values, we aim to cultivate a sense of alignment with our mission and vision, thereby reinforcing our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
According to the International Franchise Association, fostering a culture of trust is essential for creating an enduring franchise business. Building trust has been paramount in our journey to cultivate a winning culture. Trust is not built overnight; it is nurtured through consistent actions, transparent communication, and mutual respect. We prioritize integrity and accountability in everything we do, holding regularly scheduled town hall meetings and inviting participation in our annual engagement surveys to collect feedback from our employees and franchisees. By prioritizing franchisee feedback and leading by example, we have forged strong bonds within our franchise community. A great example is one of our largest franchise owners, Dave Gronewoller, who has been a franchisee for over 30 years and has brought his sons into the business. Together, they own and operate fifteen restaurants across five states, embodying the spirit of single-brand, multi-unit franchisees. Trust, a cornerstone of our franchise business, has been key to enduring relationships like the one we share with Dave.
For emerging franchisors, I cannot stress enough the importance of aligning not only your franchise opportunity around your mission, vision, and values but your company culture as well. As reported by Entrepreneur, franchisees are looking to ensure that their personal and professional values align with the company’s before signing an agreement. When franchisees share the same values and vision as the corporate leadership, it creates a unified front that strengthens the brand and builds trust within the community. We feel so strongly about this that we make a point of discussing our values in depth with prospective franchisees before entering into a business relationship with them. For example, a significant part of our mission, values, and culture is giving back to military veterans. Our restaurants host annual Military Appreciation Nights in partnership with local Disabled American Veteran (DAV) chapters, and we are founding partners of Camp Corral, a non-profit that hosts children of wounded, ill, injured, or fallen military heroes for a world-class summer camp experience. Through the strong support of our franchisees and the generosity of our guests and team members, we have raised over $34 million for disabled veterans and military families. We also participate in the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program and offer veteran discounts to franchisees who have served our country.
As I reflect on Golden Corral’s journey and the belief system that has guided our decision making, one thing is clear: cultivating a winning culture is critical for long-term success. It requires vision, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to our mission, vision, and values. By aligning our proven franchise opportunity around these core principles, investing in our people, and fostering a culture of trust and innovation, we have not only weathered the challenges of the past several years but emerged stronger than ever. As emerging franchisors seek to further establish themselves, I urge them to embrace the power of culture, community, and collaboration. Together, we can shape the future of franchising and create a lasting impact for generations of entrepreneurial business owners to come.