Arby's vs Golden Corral
Arby's vs Golden Corral: Arby's costs $645K–$2.5M to open; Golden Corral costs $400K–$2.7M. Arby's has 3,365 units, Golden Corral has 218. SBA loan history: Arby's = 330 loans (13.0% default); Golden Corral = 315 loans (7.9% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 59/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 330 | 315 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 13.0% | 7.9% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $645K – $2.5M | $400K – $2.7M |
Franchise Fee | $38K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | 4% |
Ad Fund | 5.2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $500K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 3,365 | 218 |
Franchised Units | 2,286 | 218 |
Company-Owned | 1,079 | — |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1964 | 2015 |
Franchising Since | 2015 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 11 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | OROVILLE, CA | Corpus Christi, TX |
Category | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Which Is Better — Arby's or Golden Corral?
Lower upfront capital required
Golden Corral
Arby's: $645K starting · Golden Corral: $400K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Arby's
Arby's: 330 SBA loans · Golden Corral: 315 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Golden Corral
Arby's: 13.0% · Golden Corral: 7.9%
Larger system & brand presence
Arby's
Arby's: 3,365 units · Golden Corral: 218 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Arby's: 4% · Golden Corral: 4%
More lender financing options
Golden Corral
Arby's: 130 unique lenders · Golden Corral: 144 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Arby's vs Golden Corral: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Arby's and Golden Corral is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $400K to $2.7M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Arby's with 330 SBA loans and Golden Corral with 315. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.