The all-you-can-eat buffet is disappearing, and Golden Corral's struggles show why

The all-you-can-eat buffet model is currently disappearing, a trend exemplified by the ongoing struggles of Golden Corral. Specifically, the restaurant located in Independence, Missouri, shut its doors on October 4. This particular closure represents the latest in a series of shutdowns affecting the chain throughout 2026. These events highlight the broader difficulties facing the buffet industry as Golden Corral continues to experience a string of closures across its various locations in the current market.