A stone fireplace highlights the interior. There are larger windows for increased natural light and more than 1,000 square feet of additional dining space so customers have more room between tables. 

The buffet area looks like a “residential kitchen,” with tiled walls and food displayed on bars specifically designed to merchandise the chain’s made-from-scratch specialties.

The new bars will highlight Golden Corral’s “Carvery,” and will feature its line of smoked ribs, chicken, brisket and turkey cooked in smokers with hickory wood.

Golden Corral worked with Florida-based kitchen design firm Profitality to create a more efficient operating platform. The kitchen uses 900 fewer square feet of space that can be devoted to the dining room. 

“This is the culmination of a year’s worth of research and months of planning with the best design firms in the business, our franchisees and our internal team,” CEO Lance Trenary said in a statement. “It will bring to life our goal of creating an elevated buffet dining occasion at Golden Corral.” 

Golden Corral expects to open a second Gateway prototype in Gainesville, Ga., in 2018. The chain has 485 locations in 42 states.