Are Golden corrals still operating ?

Yes.                     

Yes they are still opera rating in my small town.  I am waiting in line typing this at the moment waiting for the pizza it's my favorite thing to have from the Golden Corral.  I highly enjoy the food their and I get a discount for being a senior and gamer.

Over here they are

The one near me shut down last April and was a vacant shell within the month.  All the corporate owned ones went under.

Buffets have a very small profit margin, so few of them could survive shut downs and the fact that you'd need to be daft to want to eat in them these days.

Unless you live in a truly fat state like Texas, don't expect to see one open.