Golden Corral construction to start; opening targeted for late summer

With construction set to begin on Golden Corral in the Town of Poughkeepsie, the buffet-style chain restaurant is expected to bring about 125 jobs to the area.

Ground breaking at the restaurant site, located at 2345 South Road on Route 9 just south of the Red Roof Inn, will take place Friday, said Sherrance Henderson, franchisee owner for the Golden Corral.

The restaurant is expected to open in August or September, Henderson said.

Golden Corral on track for summer opening

Golden Corral is one of four chain restaurants scheduled to open in the Town of Poughkeepsie this year. Hardee's opened in February while Popeyes Lousiana Kitchen and Texas Roadhouse are both scheduled to open in 2016.

The buffet restaurant, prominent in the south, is expected to create 125 jobs, Henderson said.

"These jobs include four manager positions, with these employees earning more than $45,000 annually," Henderson said.

As these chain restaurants add jobs to the area, Town Supervisor Todd Tancredi said he was surprised at the number of jobs each restaurant brings in.

"Even these part-time jobs are positives, whether it's for the college student trying to supplement their income, the stay-at-home mom trying earn some extra money or the senior citizen looking to supplement their social security," Tancredi said.

Hardee's, which opened in February in the Town of Poughkeepsie, hired 60 employees, Kyle McTavish, regional marketing manager for Hardee's, said.

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While the closest Golden Corral location to Poughkeepsie is 88 miles north in Colonie, the chain is expected to open a Middletown restaurant this April. Golden Corral has focused on expanding into different regions nationwide following the popularity of restaurant openings in California, Henderson said.

Golden Corral offers American buffet-style food, filling a niche in the Dutchess County restaurant scene.

With many major chains and franchises missing from Dutchess County, Golden Corral was one of the top eight businesses residents said they wanted in the area.

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Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW