Buffalo Wild Wings vs Golden Corral
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Buffalo Wild Wings and Golden Corral are full-service restaurants franchises. Buffalo Wild Wings requires an investment of $2.5M – $4.9M while Golden Corral requires $4.9M – $8.5M. In terms of revenue, Golden Corral reports higher average unit revenue at $4.9M. Note: Reported for a subset of outlets rather than the whole system. On SBA loan performance, Buffalo Wild Wings has a lower charge-off rate (0.0%) compared to Golden Corral (12.8%). FranchiseVerdict rates Buffalo Wild Wings A (Strongest tier) and Golden Corral A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Buffalo Wild Wings | Golden Corral |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $2.5M – $4.9M | $4.9M – $8.5M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $3.6M | $4.9MOutlet subset |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 0.0% (22 loans) | 12.8% (225 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,178 | 348 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1991 | 1986 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$2.5M – $4.9M
$4.9M – $8.5M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$3.6M
$4.9MOutlet subset
SBA Charge-Off Rate
0.0% (22 loans)
12.8% (225 loans)
Total Units
1,178
348
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1991
1986
FDD Year
2026
2026