Culver’s Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs
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.
Culver’s Franchise Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Culver’s franchise? It costs on average between $3,406,000 - $10,294,000 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 | $35,000 to $65,000 |
| Land | $225,000 to $2,400,000 |
| Site Work | $356,000 to $2,193,000 |
| Building | $2,047,000 to $4,391,000 |
| Travel, Living and Expenses During Training | $20,000 to $80,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $50,000 to $65,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Supplies, Excluding Sign Package and POS Cash Register System | $458,000 to $584,000 |
| Sign Package | $88,000 to $300,000 |
| POS System | $42,350 to $56,100 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $20,000 to $40,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 Months | $65,000 to $120,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $3,406,350 to $10,294,100 |
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 $4,036,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
Culver’s Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
What funding options are available for a Culver’s franchise?
Most franchise buyers in Culver’s’s investment range finance their unit through an SBA 7(a) loan, with some multi-unit operators using SBA 504 loans for real estate. Buyers with rollable retirement funds sometimes use a ROBS structure to reduce debt service. See SharpSheets’ financial model hub for funding guidance.
How long does it take to pay back a Culver’s franchise investment?
Payback periods for franchises in Culver’s’s category typically run 3-7 years, depending on investment level, location performance, and financing structure. Actual payback varies significantly by unit performance and debt service obligations.
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.
SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: June 2026
→ How much does a Culver’s franchise owner make? Full income breakdown and analysis.
Disclaimer
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Research Culvers franchise data: For the full FDD cost breakdown, investment tables, and Item 19 disclosures, visit FranchisePayback.com → Culvers FDD Review.
