Culver's 2022 Franchise Disclosure Document 
Culver's
Food and Beverage
General
Industry
Food and BeverageCategory
Fast Casual RestaurantWorks with Franchise Brokers
NoYear of Founding
1984Fees
Marketing Fee
2.5%Royalty Fee
4%Franchise Fee
$20,000-$20,000Investment Range
$2.3M-$5.79MLocation units
Total U.S. Locations
837U.S. Franchised Units
831U.S. Corporate Units
6Headquarters (City)
Prairie du SacOther
Item 19 - Franchise Financials
YesE-2 Visa Eligibility
NoStarted Offering Franchises
1990Issuance of FDD Data
03/30/2022Key Indicators
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Franchise Payback Period (Years)
Owner Salary / Compensation
Average Unit Volume (AUV)
Franchise Cost
$2.3M-$5.79M
Franchise Fee
$20,000-$20,000
What to know about Culver's franchise?
Culver's is a quick-service restaurant company that specializes in American comfort food such as hamburgers, chicken tenders, and frozen custard. The company was founded in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin by Craig, Lea, George and Ruth Culver. If you sign a franchise agreement, you will operate a Culver's Restaurant offering burgers, sandwiches, salads, dinners, frozen custard desserts, beverages and other menu items in a quick-service setting. Certain existing Culver's franchisees meeting our criteria also may enter into a multiple unit development agreement with us to develop multiple Culver's® Restaurants. The company is built on Midwestern values such as hard work, honesty, and treating others with respect. These values are reflected in the quality of the food and service at Culver's restaurants. Culver's is based in Prairie du Sac, WI. Scroll down to learn more!How much does a Culver's franchise cost?
Are you wondering how much is a Culver's franchise? Before starting a Culver's franchise, it is important to know the franchise fee, working capital and other costs required to start the business. The minimum investment amount required to open a Culver's franchise is $2,301,000 and can go all the way up to $5,788,000. Keep in mind, you should also allocate additional funds to live off of while the Culver's business ramps up. This can take as little as 6 months to over 2 years depending on the franchise opportunity. You should speak to at least 5 Culver's franchisees to understand the true cost of opening the franchise and how long it takes to: 1) start a Culver's business 2) pass break even 3) hit significant income. After (and if) you pass the point of earning significant income from your Culver's franchise, there may be enough margin to hire a day-to-day manager and work less hours in the business.Franchise Net Unit Growth
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Download our guide to compare Culver's. Hotels to the Fast Casual Restaurant, Outdoor Food and Beverage industry.
Franchise Data
| Year | Start of Year | Units Opened | Units Closed | End of Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 552 | 46 | 0 | 597 |
| 2017 | 597 | 37 | 0 | 634 |
| 2018 | 634 | 46 | 1 | 680 |
| 2019 | 680 | 46 | 0 | 726 |
| 2020 | 726 | 50 | 0 | 776 |
| 2021 | 776 | 55 | 0 | 831 |
Additional Details
How much does a Culver's franchise owner make?
Culver's franchise earnings and revenue can vary significantly from one franchisee to another. The Culver's franchise owner profits can be influenced by labor costs, lease rates, hours worked as well as other factors. Culver's discloses financials at the unit level. In other words, they show how much Culver's franchisees made in the past. Through analyzing this information available in the metrics tab, it can serve as a good basis to further explore the opportunity or not. At Vetted Biz, we advise you to speak with 5 to 10 franchisees to understand how much money they are making from the Culver's franchise. Roughly 60% of franchises disclose financials and it makes the process easier when filtering potential franchise opportunities like Culver's. Don’t just speak to existing franchisees, call franchisees who have recently left the system and try to find out how much those Culver's owners were making. Visit the Culver's metrics tab to explore the financials for this business.
What is the Culver's franchise fee?
Owning a Culver's franchise requires 4% royalty fee and 2.5% marketing fee. These two expenses represent the main ongoing costs you can expect to pay the franchisor throughout the franchise relationship. There may be other ongoing fees disclosed in the Culver's Franchise Disclosure Document Keep in mind, there is also an initial Culver's franchise fee of $20,000 that is included in the initial investment amount of $2,301,000 to $5,788,000. Depending on the franchise agreement you sign, you might have to pay the full franchise fee again if you decide to extend the Culver's franchise relationship. Consult with a licensed franchise attorney to understand exactly what you receive for paying the Culver's franchise fee of $20,000. Visit the Culver's metrics tab to explore the financials for this business, royalty and marketing fees compare to other Food and Beverage franchises. You can also compare these fees for 2,000+ franchises currently offered in the U.S.
When was Culver's founded?
Culver's started offering franchises in 1990. Culver's was founded 38 years ago in 1984. At Vetted Biz, we recommend franchises have 3-5 corporate locations and 5+ years of experience before offering a franchise. There needs to be proof that the business model works and is replicable before offering the franchise to other!
How many Culver's locations are in the U.S.?
As of 2022, there were 831 locations across the U.S. There are also 6 corporate locations. Most Food and Beverage franchises like Culver's have more franchised locations than corporate locations.
How many Culver's franchises opened over the past few years?
Over the prior 3 years we have data for, Culver's has opened 151 outlets throughout the U.S. Visit the Culver's metrics tab to explore how the openings compare to other Food and Beverage franchises.
How many Culver's franchises closed over the past few years?
Over the prior 3 years we have data for, Culver's has closed 0 outlets throughout the U.S Visit the Culver's metrics tab to explore how the openings compare to other Food and Beverage franchises.
Is Culver's growing? Are they opening more locations than they are closing?
The net unit growth rate for Culver's over the past 3 years is 22%. Over the last year we have data for, Culver's had a net unit growth rate of 7%. Without a comparison, this number doesn’t mean much. Compare how the Culver's growth rate compares to 2,000+ other franchises and Industry franchises like Culver's. More info in the Culver's metrics tab.
Is Culver's franchise eligible for an SBA Loan?
Culver's is eligible for SBA loans including the 7(a) loan. To find out more about the SBA loan program for franchising click here. Culver's franchise was assigned the SBA Franchise ID of S0449 on 10/01/2017. This DOES NOT mean the SBA endorses this franchise. The SBA Franchise Directory will only include business models like Culver's that are reviewed and found eligible under SBA’s affiliation rules and other eligibility criteria. Currently, there are over 7,000 franchise opportunities that the SBA has deemed eligible for SBA financing.
Is Culver's a franchise in the United States?
According to the SBA, Culver's meets the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) definition of a franchise. The FTC Franchise Rule requires franchisors to provide all potential franchisees with a disclosure document (FDD) containing 23 items about the franchise, its officers, and other franchisees. Be sure that Culver's provides you with an FDD if you are in discussion to buy a Culver's.
What is the Culver's Franchise for Sale Rate?
The Culver's systemwide health and franchisee satisfaction can be measured by the Culver'sfranchise for sale rate. The franchise for sale rate is calculated by the percentage of units transferred to new franchisees and reacquired by franchisor. Culver's franchise for sale rate over the past 3 years is 11%. Over the last year we have data for, Culver's had a franchise for sale rate of 6%. Without a comparison, this number doesn’t mean much. Compare how the Culver's franchise for sale rate compares to 2,000+ other franchises and Industry franchises like Culver's. More info in the Culver's metrics tab.
What is the Culver's Franchise Failure Rate?
Culver's franchise failures comprise franchise terminations, franchise non-renewals, and franchises that ceased operations for other reasons. The failure rate is one of the most important franchise metrics to consider when investing in a franchise! Culver's failure rate over the past 3 years is 0%. Over the last year we have data for, Culver's had a franchise failure rate of 0%. Without a comparison, this number doesn’t mean much. Compare how the Culver's franchise for sale rate compares to 2,000+ other franchises and Industry franchises like Culver's. More info in the Culver's metrics tab.
How can I find out more details on Culver's franchise?
Visit the Culver's metrics tab to explore franchise profitability, industry comparables and more. Become a Vetted Member today today for exclusive access on this franchise opportunity!
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What are your goals in opening a business?
Flexibility Financial Gain Quality of life Challenge Myself Be my own boss Get a JobInvestment Midpoint
The average of the low and high range of the investment amounts calculated from the most recently available Franchise Disclosure Document
Culver's
$4,044,500
Industry median
All franchises median
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Royalty Fee
The median royalty fee from the Franchise Disclosure Document
Culver's
4%
Industry median
All franchises median
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Franchise Fee Midpoint
Payment that the franchisee must pay to the franchise owner in order to start a franchise.
Culver's
$20,000
Industry median
All franchises median
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Item 19 – Financial Performance Representations
Historical financial performance representations
Unlocked Vetted Member Access
Franchise Financials
Franchisor company financial information and financial performance representations, if disclosed by the franchisor.
Unlocked Vetted Member Access
General
Industry
Food and BeverageCategory
Fast Casual RestaurantWorks with Franchise Brokers
NoYear of Founding
1984Fees
Marketing Fee
2.5%Royalty Fee
4%Franchise Fee
$20,000-$20,000Investment Range
$2.3M-$5.79MLocation units
Total U.S. Locations
837U.S. Franchised Units
831U.S. Corporate Units
6Headquarters (City)
Prairie du SacOther
Item 19 - Franchise Financials
YesE-2 Visa Eligibility
NoStarted Offering Franchises
1990Issuance of FDD Data
03/30/2022
Detailed Franchise metrics for Culver's Detailed Franchise Metrics are metrics calculated and reviewed by Vetted Biz. You can find the available metrics for Culver's below. “N/A" or Not Applicable results mean that there is not enough data available to compute a precise rate or that the result is not mathematically computable. When results are not mathematically computable, you should pay attention to the absolute values (#) instead of the percentage rate itself.
Growth Rate
The percentage change of total franchise units from one year to the next by franchisor.
1 year
3 years
Culver's
7%
22%
Industry median
All franchises median
Unlock Vetted Member Access
Franchise for Sale Rate
The percentage of units transferred to new franchisees and reacquired by franchisor.
1 year
3 years
Culver's
3%
11%
Industry median
All franchises median
Unlock Vetted Member Access
Net Unit Growth (most recent year)
Net Unit Growth (3 years)
Failure Rate
Franchise failures comprise franchise terminations, franchise non-renewals, and franchises that ceased operations for other reasons.
1 year
3 years
Culver's
0%
0%
Industry median
All franchises median
Unlock Vetted Member Access
Business details
Website
Business email
**********@******.comMailing address
1240 Water StreetState headquarters
WisconsinContact Name
Culver'sPhone
+1 (000) 0********00City
Prairie du SacZip code
53578| Name | State | City | Zip Code |
|---|
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