Golden Corral® Names Trona Balkissoon as Chief Financial Officer

Trusted finance leader and industry advocate to strengthen brand performance and shape its next chapter

March 26, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // RALEIGH, N.C. — Golden Corral, America’s leading buffet chain, has appointed Trona Balkissoon as chief financial officer, effective today. Balkissoon steps into the role following the retirement of CFO Jim Laverty.

In her new role, Balkissoon will lead Golden Corral’s financial strategy, focusing on optimizing results, sharpening decision-making, and supporting long-term system health across its corporate and franchise footprint. Her perspective will be key as the company continues to grow and adapt.

She brings more than 25 years of global experience with Nestlé, spanning both retail and foodservice channels. Balkissoon joined Golden Corral in April 2025 as senior vice president of finance, after most recently serving as chief financial officer for Nestlé’s out-of-home division, where she oversaw operations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Since joining the brand, she has been recognized for her dynamic, agile approach, pairing fiscal discipline with a talent for building high-performing teams.

She is also an active advocate for advancing opportunity and representation within the industry. Balkissoon was appointed to the Women’s Foodservice Forum Board of Directors in 2023, currently serves on its Executive Board, and was named Treasurer in 2026. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation as a member of the Foundation Executive Committee and Vice Chair of the Finance Subcommittee. Her work supporting women in leadership and developing future talent aligns with Golden Corral’s ongoing investments in education and community, including initiatives like Camp Corral.

“Trona’s impact has been clear from the moment she joined our team, and this next step reflects her exceptional leadership and the trust she’s earned across the organization,” said Lance Trenary, CEO of Golden Corral. “She brings a rare combination of global perspective, financial rigor, and a deep understanding of the foodservice landscape. As we continue to evolve, her ability to connect strategy, financial discipline, and execution will shape how we move forward.”

This transition highlights Golden Corral’s commitment to building a visionary leadership team equipped to navigate a rapidly changing environment while staying true to the core principles that define the concept and guide its decisions.

“Golden Corral is a renowned brand with a legacy built on delivering value and genuine hospitality to families across the country,” said Balkissoon. “In this role, my focus is on ensuring our financial approach sustains responsible growth, strengthens our franchise system, and creates opportunities for our teams. When those elements are aligned, we can continue delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for our guests.”

Looking ahead, Balkissoon’s appointment reflects a clear direction for Golden Corral as it continues to evolve within a competitive landscape. Her leadership brings added discipline and perspective to a system designed to support franchisees while continuing to meet guest expectations at every visit.

For more information about Golden Corral, visit GoldenCorral.com. To find a nearby restaurant, visit GoldenCorral.com/locations or order online at GoldenCorral.com/order-online.

About Golden Corral
Founded in 1973 and based in Raleigh, N.C., Golden Corral is the nation’s largest grill-buffet restaurant chain. Golden Corral strives to make pleasurable dining affordable for all families. Golden Corral restaurants are 99% locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. While its commitment begins each day with preparing delicious food, Golden Corral also believes in providing outstanding hospitality and giving back. Service to others is a hallmark of the Golden Corral brand. In recent years, Golden Corral has been recognized among the nation’s top 50 “Most Loved Brands” by Yelp (2023), honored by Newsweek for “America’s Best Customer Service 2024,” named Newsweek’s #1 “Best Buffet Chain in America” for 2025, and selected for USA TODAY’s 2026 lists of “America’s Best Customer Service” and “Most Trusted Brands.” The brand has also earned multiple workplace awards in recognition of its deep-rooted culture. Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and have more recently partnered with Project Healing Waters, an organization that helps active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building. Golden Corral is also the founding sponsor of Camp Corral, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation, which provides free, one-of-a-kind summer camp experiences for children of wounded, injured, ill, or fallen service members. For more information, visit GoldenCorral.com and follow Golden Corral on Facebook, Instagram, and X, formerly known as Twitter.

SOURCE Golden Corral