The sweet smell of honey-glazed ham could be headed for Goldsboro. National chain HoneyBaked Ham has tagged the city as a leading candidate for a future franchise, with company representatives actively scouting locations and sounding out local business partners. The possible store would bring the brand’s catering and expanded lunch menu closer to surrounding neighborhoods and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
For now, everything is still in the “if” column. Company officials say an opening will depend on three big pieces falling into place: a signed lease, a local franchise owner and the necessary financing. If that happens, HoneyBaked is eyeing a launch as early as 2026, with 2027 as the backup timeline.
Company representatives told Goldsboro Daily News that Goldsboro “checks so many boxes in terms of community support, business climate, and overall fit with our brand,” adding that the city rose to the top of a nationwide market search. They said they are leaning toward existing retail space, particularly strip centers, and plan to work with a local franchisee on real estate, financing, construction and staffing. Officials also signaled they will keep the community posted as plans develop and urged interested partners to reach out through the brand’s development channels.
Brand Strategy: Year‑Round Sales, Not Just Holidays
HoneyBaked has been working to shed its “holiday-only” image and position itself as a year‑round food option, evolving from special-occasion hams into cafe-style lunches, catering and take‑home meals. The Honey Baked Ham Company outlines that strategy and highlights the chain’s spiral‑slicing heritage as it courts new franchisees. Trade coverage has also noted that the company is signing fresh franchise agreements and rolling out redesigned stores as part of a broader growth push, a trend QSR Magazine reported on earlier this year.
Potential Sites And Local Partners
When it comes to where a Goldsboro store might land, HoneyBaked officials told Goldsboro Daily News they are eyeing quick‑access strip centers that make it easy for customers to swing in for pickups and catering orders. Local leaders credited the Goldsboro‑Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and the city’s longstanding connection to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base with helping put the market on the company’s radar. If a lease deal comes together, executives said the timeline from sign‑off to opening could move quickly.
Nearby Stores Suggest Regional Demand
Company leaders have pointed to existing HoneyBaked locations in Greenville and Rocky Mount as signs that eastern North Carolina can handle another store in the mix. Business listings and catering platforms show active operations in both cities, which could give a potential Goldsboro franchise a running start on supply chains and regional catering accounts. ezCater features HoneyBaked’s Greenville catering options, while MapQuest lists the Rocky Mount store.
What Comes Next
From here, the playbook is simple, even if the execution is not. HoneyBaked must lock down a suitable lease, secure a qualified local franchisee and complete the build‑out before any glazed hams start crossing the counter. The Honey Baked Ham Company is steering interested investors to its franchise information and development contacts, while coverage in QSR Magazine indicates the brand’s recent franchising momentum could help speed a Goldsboro opening once a site and local partner are in place.
