Old Country Buffet opened in 1984 with the idea that not employing wait staff and bartenders, the buffet would have a lower payroll than a more formal restaurant and a lack of waiters/waitresses might appeal to customers who preferred not to pay gratuities.
The restaurant menu was based on typical “country-style” American food, including fried chicken, hamburgers, chicken fried steak, french fries, creamed corn, and hot rolls.
The chain was initially a big success and expansion followed. By 1996, there were 250 restaurants scattered across the US.
Before Old Country Buffet filed for bankruptcy the first time in 2008, its parent company Buffets, Inc. had merged with Ryan’s Restaurant Group in 2006. After the 2008 Chapter 11 filing, the chain reduced some of its 626 locations and slashed debt by a whopping $700 million.
The company filed for bankruptcy again in 2012 and yet again in 2016. With each filing, the company closed restaurant locations.
In 2014, the company was sued for salmonella poisoning and the subsequent brain damage it left behind for one patron. The company didn’t respond to the filing since the health department had fined them for 18 violations the month before. The plaintiffs were awarded more than $11 million.
The restaurant chain closed all locations during the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent quarantine. As of June 2020, a few locations have opened including one in Columbus, Georgia.
Old Country Buffet maintains a corporate office in San Antonio, Texas.
Old Country Buffet opened in 1984 with the idea that not employing wait staff and bartenders, the buffet would have a lower payroll than a more formal restaurant and a lack of waiters/waitresses might appeal to customers who preferred not to pay gratuities.
The restaurant menu was based on typical “country-style” American food, including fried chicken, hamburgers, chicken fried steak, french fries, creamed corn, and hot rolls.
The chain was initially a big success and expansion followed. By 1996, there were 250 restaurants scattered across the US.
History
Before Old Country Buffet filed for bankruptcy the first time in 2008, its parent company Buffets, Inc. had merged with Ryan’s Restaurant Group in 2006. After the 2008 Chapter 11 filing, the chain reduced some of its 626 locations and slashed debt by a whopping $700 million.
The company filed for bankruptcy again in 2012 and yet again in 2016. With each filing, the company closed restaurant locations.
In 2014, the company was sued for salmonella poisoning and the subsequent brain damage it left behind for one patron. The company didn’t respond to the filing since the health department had fined them for 18 violations the month before. The plaintiffs were awarded more than $11 million.
The restaurant chain closed all locations during the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent quarantine. As of June 2020, a few locations have opened including one in Columbus, Georgia.
Old Country Buffet maintains a corporate office in San Antonio, Texas.
I am very disappointed at the Ile time country buffet in Hinesville, GA.
I asked how much longer it will be for the fried chicken and was told none would be put out until that which was in the pan was gone, by the manager on duty (Raney).
I normally have 20 to 25 people come out to eat with me each week.
I have pulled my church out from coming as we attend every Sunday and will not be coming back because of the remark made for a paying customer.
I was very upset on March 4, 2023 at the Auburn Location when the Manager asked me who was in my party and I told her me and my daughter and she assumes because another black family was in front of me was with me so she rang me up for 2 families and I told her why would u do that and there’s a white family behind me she didn’t put me on their ticket or accidentally add them to mines and she started yelling when I’m the one was offended and I ask for 2 waters and she charged me for 2 teas… The soda machine was broken per them, so she got another manager and she was yelling at me about the entire deal so I ask for the GM and when I spoke with her, she wasn’t no better than them 2 and she made mentioned she had 2 mixed kids so she was racists but what that got to do with your manager charging another black family to my ticket after asking me… Please contact me: smcghee31@ yahoo.com
I am very disappointed in how the old times in Warner Robins Georgia handled a situation when an employee came out and aggressively walked after me and my parents and my daughter. It is very sad went after I called the manager to let her know if she did she hung up in my face and the girl who followed me posted on Facebook about me posted where I live where my daughter goes to school my phone number where I work, etc. I want to try to call the manager up there at all times again she hung up in my face again. I will be suing. I’ve already talked to my lawyer and this is completely ridiculous I would like someone to contact me as soon as possible
We are very disappointed that the Old Country in Federal Way and Kent Washington has closed. Old Country Buffet is and was our favorite restaurant. We decided what our portion sizes were going to be. My husband is diabetic and he liked the wide choices.
We live Auburn Washington is there any Old Country’s around us anymore?
Is there anyone from phoenix az who has contact info for ocb? After 20 years of service there they still owe me money