Culver’s Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Culver’s, a fast-casual restaurant chain, was founded in 1984 by Craig Culver and his family in Sauk City, Wisconsin. The franchise started in 1990, offering a menu featuring ButterBurgers, fresh frozen custard, and Wisconsin cheese curds.
Headquartered in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, Culver’s stands out for its commitment to quality and using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The brand combines fast-service convenience with the high-quality food of traditional restaurants.
Culver’s signature ButterBurger is made with fresh, never-frozen beef, and served on a buttered, toasted bun. Their fresh frozen custard is churned daily, offering a creamier, richer alternative to ice cream.
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Culver’s Franchise Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Culver’s franchise? It costs on average between $2,643,000 – $8,573,000 to start a Culver’s franchised restaurant.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of restaurant you choose, the location, and whether the franchisee chooses to lease or purchase the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $20,000 – $55,000 |
| Land | $240,000 – $2,700,000 |
| Site Work | $95,000 – $1,590,000 |
| Building | $1,507,000 – $2,946,000 |
| Travel, Living and Expenses during Training | $20,000 – $80,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Supplies | $467,000 – $590,000 |
| Sign Package | $120,000 – $336,000 |
| POS System | $38,500 – $51,000 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Additional Funds (working capital) – for 3 months | $65,000 – $120,000 |
| Total | $2,642,500 – $8,573,000 |
Culver’s Franchise Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Culver’s franchise? A Culver’s franchised restaurant makes on average $3,694,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
This compares to $1,548,000 yearly revenue for similar restaurant burger franchises. Below are a few Culver’s competitors as a comparison:
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Culver’s Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Culver’s locations are there?
As of the latest data, there are 997 Culver’s locations across the United States. The majority of these locations are franchise-owned, while a smaller number are company-owned.
What is the total investment required to open a Culver’s franchise?
The total investment required to open a Culver’s franchise ranges from $2,643,000 – $8,573,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Culver’s franchise?
Culver’s franchisees are required to pay an ongoing royalty fee of 4% of gross sales. Additionally, there is a marketing fee of 6.5% of gross sales, which goes toward both national and local advertising efforts.
These fees help support the overall brand and ensure that franchisees benefit from collective marketing strategies and operational support from the corporate team.
What are the financial requirements to become a Culver’s franchisee?
To become a Culver’s franchisee, you need to meet certain financial requirements. The minimum net worth required is $2 million, and you must have at least $500,000 in liquid assets.
These financial criteria ensure that potential franchisees have the resources to cover the costs associated with opening and operating a Culver’s restaurant, including the initial investment.
How much can a Culver’s franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Culver’s franchise are approximately $3.69 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $3.69 million yearly revenue can result in $554,000 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Culver’s?
Culver’s is primarily family-owned. The chain was founded in 1984 by Craig Culver, his wife Lea Culver, and Craig’s parents, George and Ruth Culver.
While the Culver family still plays a significant role in the company’s operations, they sold a minority stake in the company to Roark Capital Group in 2017.
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