Golden Corral has partnered with Flybuy, the AI-powered location engine, to enhance the pickup experience for its newly launched Golden Corral Favorites, a fast-casual concept.
Golden Corral Favorites introduces a streamlined, off-premise-focused model offering guests a curated selection of the brand’s most-loved menu items. The concept, which opened in Southern Pines, N.C., in April, was designed to meet the growing demand for convenient, high-quality meals without compromising the hearty, homestyle comfort Golden Corral is known for. It replaces the Homeward Kitchen concept, which opened in December 2023. Golden Corral Favorites features dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering and pickup.
Enhanced Off-Premise Experience
To power this next-generation experience, Golden Corral has teamed up with Flybuy to drive their enhanced off-premise experience. By leveraging Flybuy’s advanced location technology, Golden Corral Favorites can now provide accurate arrival notifications, minimize customer wait times, and ensure food is prepared and handed off at the peak of freshness.
“With Flybuy, our operations team is excited to deliver a truly seamless pickup experience. The process is streamlined and efficient, allowing us to uphold the high standards our guests expect — while also providing the convenience and service they deserve,” said Jason Kornosky, Vice President of Operations at Golden Corral.
Flybuy’s proprietary platform detects when customers are en route, nearby, on property, and in the designated pickup area, allowing restaurant staff to time the order preparation and handoff perfectly. Most Golden Corral Favorites guests are fully comfortable using the new technology, requiring no extra steps to check in or announce their arrival. For those who haven’t yet adopted this new technology or prefer alternative check-in methods, Flybuy offers multiple check-in options — including scanning a QR code, sending a text, or calling the store — guided by Flybuy’s intuitive Voice Assistant. This feature automatically updates the Flybuy Dashboard and notifies staff of customer arrivals. Once they check in, Flybuy instantly alerts Golden Corral staff, updates the guest’s status on the dashboard, and ensures their meal is prepared and delivered promptly. The result: faster service, fresher food, and a seamless guest experience — with every customer accounted for at all times.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Golden Corral on the launch of their innovative new concept,” said Marc Wallace, Co-Founder & CEO of Flybuy. “Golden Corral Favorites is a bold, forward-thinking approach to extending a beloved dine-in brand into the off-premise space. With Flybuy’s technology, every guest interaction is streamlined for speed, convenience, and a truly seamless experience.”
