Golden Corral spinoff Homeward Kitchen opening first Richmond-area outpost

Burger King closed at Staples Mill and Parham around two years ago. (Mike Platania photo)

A buffet chain has staked out a vacant fast-food building in Henrico for a new spinoff restaurant. 

Homeward Kitchen, a fast-casual concept from Golden Corral, is planning to open its first location in the Richmond region at 8801 Staples Mill Road. 

The company’s plans were disclosed last month in documents filed with Henrico County to convert the former Burger King at the corner of East Parham and Staples Mill roads.

Golden Corral debuted Homeward Kitchen last winter with a location in its home state of North Carolina. The new chain’s menu includes Southern and comfort food dishes like pot roast, fried chicken and fried green tomatoes. 

The new concept’s menu includes fried chicken sandwiches and potato wedges. (Courtesy Homeward Kitchen social media)

While Golden Corral’s mainline restaurants operate as buffets, Homeward Kitchen is designed for carry-out and drive-thru sales. According to restaurant industry trade publications, Golden Corral execs plan to “quickly pursue growth opportunities nationwide” for the new concept. 

The Staples Mill Homeward Kitchen would be the first in the state, and second overall. Golden Corral has three locations in the region, including one about four miles west at the intersection of West Broad Street and Gaskins Road. 

Representatives for Golden Corral were not available for comment by press time. 

According to Henrico documents, the vacant, 3,500-square-foot Staples Mill building will remain in place and be renovated into a Homeward Kitchen. The building sold in December 2023 for $1 million to an investment group out of Brooklyn, who couldn’t be reached. Segall Group’s Trey Blankinship and Jamie Lanham handle leasing on the building.

It’d be the latest former Burger King building in the region to get new life in recent years. Earlier this spring, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opened at 4800 W. Broad St. Down in Colonial Heights, a medical cannabis dispensary opened in an old Burger King building near Southpark Mall. 

The post Golden Corral spinoff Homeward Kitchen opening first Richmond-area outpost appeared first on Richmond BizSense.