Golden Corral Celebrates 25 Years of Military Appreciation Night with Free Meals and Fundraising for Veterans

RALEIGH, N.C. - October 23, 2025 - Golden Corral is marking a major milestone this Veterans Day as it hosts its 25th Annual Military Appreciation Night, honoring U.S. service members and veterans with complimentary meals and a nationwide fundraising effort for Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

On Tuesday, November 11, from 4 p.m. until close, all active-duty military, retirees, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are invited to enjoy a free dinner buffet and beverage at any Golden Corral location. The offer is available for dine-in only and does not require military identification.

"Military Appreciation Night is always a highlight of our year," said Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary. "Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, this tradition has given team members and our guests the chance to connect with those who have served, hear their stories, and come together in gratitude and respect."

Golden Corral's partnership with DAV continues alongside the event. Beginning Monday, October 27, local DAV chapters will be present at restaurants to accept donations and offer guests the option to round up their purchases at the register. All proceeds will support disabled veterans and their families in communities across the country.

Last year, Golden Corral served more than 185,000 complimentary meals and raised over $1 million for DAV chapters. Since launching Military Appreciation Night in 2001, the company has provided nearly 6.7 million free meals and raised more than $20 million for veterans nationwide.

Beyond the annual event, Golden Corral supports military families year-round through Camp Corral, a nonprofit offering free summer camp experiences for children of wounded, ill, or fallen service members. Since 2011, Golden Corral and DAV have helped raise over $19 million for the program.

In 2025, Golden Corral also launched a new partnership with Project Healing Waters, a nonprofit focused on the rehabilitation of veterans and active-duty military through therapeutic fly fishing. The initiative surpassed its first-year fundraising goal of $175,000 and is expected to expand in the coming years.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Raleigh, Golden Corral is the nation's largest grill-buffet restaurant chain. Known for its scratch-made dishes and variety of over 150 menu items, the brand has long emphasized hospitality and community service. In recent years, it has earned recognition from Yelp and Newsweek for customer satisfaction and workplace excellence.

For more information or to find a nearby location, visit GoldenCorral.com.