“There’s one thing we as Indian people love to do and that’s share a meal …” Gib Miles, Lt. Governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
(OKLAHOMA CITY) Many in Oklahoma City are familiar with the restaurant Golden Corral. And for many it is the go to place to take their families to enjoy a variety of delicious freshly made dishes.
What many do not know is Golden Corral’s owner, Jason Dibler, has created one of the best catering teams in the area. A secret the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have known for quite some time as they make Golden Corral their “go to” catering company for the majority of their events.
“The thing about Jason is I think he would rather lose a dollar than treat anybody bad and in Indian Country that’s big because we’ve been crapped on so much and you’re always suspicious, and when someone like Jason shows up who gives out free meals because something went wrong, that’s somebody you like to do business with and would recommend him to anybody,” Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ Lt. Gov. Gib Miles said.
Dibler has worked for Golden Corral, whose headquarters are located in Raleigh, N.C., for over 15 years. He purchased the Oklahoma City location in 2015 and recently purchased the Golden Corral restaurant in Shawnee, Okla.
“A lot of people don’t realize some Golden Corrals cater, even though we have been doing a lot of heavy catering the last four years, especially with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes,” Dibler said.
And they are one of the Golden Corrals that does cater. Dibler said it was one of his goals to build one of the best catering teams in the state, and he feels he has accomplished that goal and continues to build on it.
With current news articles about Oklahoma tribes’ contributions to the economy in Oklahoma, Dibler said he has experienced the economic impact from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes first hand.
“Economically the tribes have played a huge role in my business and my success,” Dibler said. “Golden Corral has an annual convention every year and last year this store got number one at that convention and I attributed a lot of that award to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.”
Dibler is a native of Shawnee, Okla., where he was born and raised in Harrah before moving back to Shawnee after he graduated high school. Now at 38 years of age, he said it was a scary move five years ago to become owner and operator of the Oklahoma City location, but it’s been very rewarding.
“I started out as an hourly manager and worked my way up and in 2011 I became general manager of this store in Oklahoma City. After a year the company offer you a partner position with a buy in of $25,000, but what’s cool about that is they give you a raise to compensate for the loan for the $25,000, so you’re really not out any money,” Dibler said. “It’s been nostalgic to purchase the Shawnee store where I originally started from.”
Dibler said he believes trust is the most important aspect of his relationship with the tribes and with all his clientele … trust and the driving force in his life, God.
“The whole quality of my life has changed since being saved and with all the success I have had with the tribes I feel all of that was given by God and that continues to be my driving force,” Dibler said.
From large parties, to private events, Dibler said he hopes other tribes and businesses will hear about their amazing catering team and give them a chance to cater their next event.
“Jason always sends more than enough food, and he understands Indians. He learned the most important part in catering for us is having enough food for the to go boxes,” Lt. Gov. Miles laughingly said. “If I was to have a conversation with other tribal leaders, it wouldn’t be a typical conversation with leaders, it would be conversation between Indians and I would say, ‘you know what Jason knows Indian people and he knows how to treat Indian people.’”
One thing is crystal clear when talking with Dibler, he loves what he does and with 10 and 25 year employees behind him, his restaurant is sure to continue to be successful.
If you have an upcoming catering event please call Dibler at 405-673-8600 to experience first hand their delicious menu items and amazing catering team.
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Rosemary Stephens, Editor-in-Chief, https://cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/March-1-2020-1.pdf
Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune 