Golden Corral owner Craig Riha has tentative plans to reopen the restaurant for dine-in customers May 15, but that decision could hinge on COVID-19 recommendations and guidance from federal and state officials.
“Yes, I need some income, and our customers have been asking for it but I’m going to do the right thing for the right reasons” he said. “Really, it just depends on how events unfold. I have to know for a fact that customers and the employees are safe and no one is at risk.”
When the dine-in format continues, customers will notice a major change. They will no longer serve themselves, which has been the case since Golden Corral opened for business. The restaurant will move toward a cafeteria-style plan with employees serving customers from behind an extended sneeze guard. It also reduces touch points by customers and eliminates cross-contamination for the next customer, Riha said.
State health officials inspected the restaurant Tuesday and found Riha and his staff were in compliance with table spacing and travel indicators.
Golden Corral, 2632 NW Cache Road, has been closed since late March when the COVID-19 virus hit Oklahoma. Riha announced on the restaurant’s web site that it would reopen for takeout only on May 8. Customers will be allowed inside the restaurant to select their food while being served by employees behind the food line. Curbside delivery and online orders are part of Riha’s plan to reopen.
Riha, who has owned Lawton’s Golden Corral franchise since 2008, said he’s never experienced this type of circumstance in the food industry.
“I’ve been in the food business for 40 years and I’ve never had a business interruption,” he recalled.
The takeout part of the reopening plan was tried early on during the virus crisis, but it didn’t work out.
“Our customers weren’t ready for it then,” Riha said. “Now they’re used to it so I think it will be fine. We’ve given this a lot of thought and analysis and corporate has been making some recommendations as well.”
Although Riha wants to make the right decision for the safety and well-being of customers and employees, he’s ready to get back to work.
“I’ve known most of my customers for decades and they’re missed,” he said.
Riha also wants to pay tribute to the military crowd that frequents Golden Corral on a regular basis.
“I would love to have ‘em back in,” he said.