Culver Franchising System Inc.
Frozen custard & specialty burgersBackground
Founded: 1984 Franchising since: 1988
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.
Franchisor has 98 employee(s); 4 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
Special Programs
CulverÂ’s has participated in fundraising activities for organizations like 4-H and Harvest Food for Families in Milwaukee.
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.
|
540 Water St. Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin 53578 |
Phone: (608)643-7980 |
Franchisor has 98 employee(s); 4 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2008 | 376 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2007 | 355 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2006 | 326 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2005 | 289 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Special Programs
CulverÂ’s has participated in fundraising activities for organizations like 4-H and Harvest Food for Families in Milwaukee.
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $1.6M-3.2M Franchise fee: $55K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 15 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | Yes |
| Startup Costs | No | Yes |
| Equipment | No | Yes |
| Inventory | No | Yes |
| Accounts Receivable | No | Yes |
| Payroll | No | Yes |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $500K
Cash liquidity requirement: $300K
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)
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- 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
Rankings
Franchise 500® rank:
#355 (2009); #122 (2008); #90 (2007); #102 (2006); #99 (2005);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2005;
#355 (2009); #122 (2008); #90 (2007); #102 (2006); #99 (2005);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2005;