#83
At a Glance
Products & Services: Frozen custard & specialty burgers
Number of Locations: 434
Total Investment: $1.6M - 3.1M
Founded: 1984
Began Franchising: 1988
Private Owned
About Culver Franchising System Inc.
After working with his parents in their restaurants, Craig Culver decided it was time to open one for himself. In 1984 Culver, with the help of his wife Lea and parents George and Ruth, transformed the A&W his parents owned since the sixties into Culver's Frozen Custard.Its founder's family inspired the menu for the initial Sauk City, Wisconsin, restaurant. When Culver's mother made hamburgers, she would put a dab of butter on the crown of the hamburger buns before toasting them; something her children felt made them taste better. Today, employees at each Culver's location use the same technique when making their ButterBurgers.
There are Culver's locations in sixteen states. All Culver's franchisees are owner/operators.
Franchise Units
| Year | U.S. | Canadian | International | Company Owned |
| 2011 | 425 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2010 | 412 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2008 | 376 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing
Total Investment: $1,598,500 - $3,098,500
Franchise Fee: $55,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Franchise Fee: $55,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $750,000
Liquid Cash Available: $350,000 - $400,000
Operations
30% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 - 50. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators).| Financing Type | In-House | Third Party |
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How This Franchise Supports Franchisees
Training: Available at headquarters: 16 weeks.
Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives,
Marketing Support: Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising,
Franchise Ranking History
Fastest-Growing: #87 (2011),
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