Updated
October 23, 2025
If you filed a claim in the Golden Corral data incident settlement, checks began mailing in October 2025 — here is who qualified, the payout tiers, and what to do if yours has not arrived.
Golden Corral Data Breach Settlement Overview
The Golden Corral Data Incident Settlement resolves claims that the company failed to adequately protect consumer data compromised between August 11 and August 15, 2023. The lawsuit, titled In re Golden Corral Data Incident Litigation (Case No. 5:24-cv-00123-M-BM), was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The Court granted final approval of the settlement on May 19, 2025, and distribution of payments began on October 2025.
Status
Claims Closed · Payments Sent
Checks began mailing October 10, 2025 and are void after December 9, 2025
Claim Deadline
May 29, 2025 (Passed)
Estimated Payout
~$50 or up to $10,000
~$50 pro rata cash, or up to $10,000 for documented losses
Proof Required
Optional
required only for the documented-loss tier
Payments Have Been Sent
Settlement payments for the Golden Corral Data Incident were officially mailed and processed on October 10, 2025. Class members who filed valid and timely claims should expect to receive checks by mail shortly. All outstanding checks will be voided after December 9, 2025, so recipients are encouraged to deposit or cash their payments as soon as possible.According to the official settlement administrator, payments were distributed following the Court’s final approval granted on May 19, 2025. If you filed a claim but have not received your payment by early November, you should contact Kroll Settlement Administration for assistance.
Who Is Included in the Settlement?
The settlement covers all individuals impacted by the Golden Corral data breach that occurred between August 11 and August 15, 2023, who received a formal notice of the incident.Excluded from the Settlement Class are:
- Judges overseeing the case and their immediate families
- Golden Corral Corporation and its affiliates, directors, and officers
- Individuals who properly opted out before the deadline
How Much Are Claimants Receiving?
Class members had two options when submitting a claim:1. Compensation for Unreimbursed Economic Losses: Up to $10,000 per claimant for documented out-of-pocket costs or losses caused by the data breach, with receipts or proof required.
2. Pro Rata Cash Payment: Claimants who did not submit documentation could receive an estimated $50 payout, subject to adjustment depending on the total number of approved claims.
Important Deadlines
- Claim Deadline: May 29, 2025
- Opt-Out Deadline: April 29, 2025
- Objection Deadline: April 29, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: May 19, 2025
What To Do If You Haven’t Received Payment
If you filed a valid claim but haven’t received your check, you can contact the settlement administrator directly.About the Case
The lawsuit alleged that Golden Corral failed to adequately safeguard customer and employee data during a cyber incident in August 2023. Plaintiffs claimed this led to exposure of personal information, including names and Social Security numbers. Golden Corral denied all wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs and risks.The Court has now closed the claims phase and authorized the final distribution of funds.
Sources
• Official Settlement Website• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
• Kroll Settlement Administration
For more open class action settlement updates, scroll below.
