ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Golden Corral is preparing to make its debut in St. Petersburg, Florida, with plans to transform a former Hooters restaurant near Tyrone Square Mall into a new all-you-can-eat buffet destination.

The national restaurant chain is targeting 2250 Tyrone Boulevard North, marking its first location within St. Petersburg and a return to Pinellas County after several years without a Golden Corral restaurant.

According to development plans submitted to the City of St. Petersburg, the company intends to renovate the existing 8,105-square-foot building, which previously housed Hooters before closing in late 2021.

Former Hooters Property to Receive New Life

The former Hooters operated at the Tyrone Square Mall property for approximately 15 years before shutting down amid changing consumer shopping patterns and declining mall traffic.

Golden Corral’s proposed redevelopment will bring new activity to the vacant restaurant space, taking advantage of its established location within one of western St. Petersburg’s major retail corridors.

Plans call for a restaurant accommodating approximately 254 guests, with a combination of booths, tables, a wood-top bar and an outdoor dining patio overlooking the parking area.

The project represents another example of a national restaurant operator repurposing an existing commercial building rather than pursuing ground-up construction.

Experienced Franchise Operator Leading Expansion

The new St. Petersburg restaurant will be operated by Britt Guyer, an experienced Golden Corral franchisee who also operates locations in downtown Tampa and Winter Haven.

Guyer opened his first Golden Corral restaurant in 2013 after previously working in marketing and public relations for the International Motor Sports Association.

His restaurant experience also includes ownership of Que Pasa, a Mexican restaurant concept that previously operated in St. Petersburg.

The planned location will expand Golden Corral’s presence across the greater Tampa Bay market while reintroducing the brand to Pinellas County.

Golden Corral Returns to Pinellas County

Golden Corral previously operated a restaurant at 10050 Ulmerton Road in Largo for approximately two decades before permanently closing in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That former restaurant building was demolished in 2026 to make way for a new Chick-fil-A development.

Founded in 1973 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Golden Corral has grown into one of the country’s largest buffet restaurant chains, with nearly 350 locations nationwide.

The company’s menu features a variety of American comfort foods, including steak, fried chicken, pot roast, carving stations, salads and its signature yeast rolls.

Restaurant Redevelopment Continues Across Tampa Bay

Golden Corral’s planned investment highlights the continued demand for existing restaurant properties throughout Tampa Bay, particularly in established retail corridors with strong surrounding commercial activity.

Former restaurant buildings can offer significant advantages to expanding operators, including existing parking infrastructure, commercial kitchen layouts, utilities and established customer access.

For commercial real estate investors and property owners, the conversion demonstrates how vacant second-generation restaurant spaces can attract new national tenants and support the revitalization of established shopping districts.

The Tyrone Boulevard corridor remains an important retail destination for western St. Petersburg, with Tyrone Square Mall and surrounding businesses serving residents throughout Pinellas County.

An official opening date for the new Golden Corral restaurant has not yet been announced.