RISE - Menu Monitor

Culver's Frozen Custard
Headquarters
540 Water St., Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin 53578 USA
Tel: (608)643-7980 Fax: (608)643-7982
www.culvers.com
Ownership: Private
Segment: Limited Service Hamburger
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 531,863 480,873 423,078
Company-owned ($000) 9,702 8,891 8,617
Franchised ($000) 522,161 471,982 414,461
U.S. Number of Units 351 312 272
Company-owned 6 5 5
Franchised 345 307 267
International Sales ($000) - - -
International Units - - -
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 1,611 1,644 1,639
Concept Positioning |
Culver’s Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers set itself apart from other limited-service concepts with a small town, friendly-folk
philosophy and nostalgic feel. Culver’s has carved a niche somewhere between quick-service and casual-dining by providing
family oriented service via takeout, drive-thru or dine in. Food is cooked to order, ensuring that everything is served hot and is
of the highest quality. Wisconsin-based Culver’s currently operates more than 350 restaurants across the U.S.
Units are an acre-and-a-half in size with seating for typically 98–128 guests. They are freestanding and are decorated in the
company’s blue-and-white color scheme. Despite the reference to frozen custard in its name, Culver’s signature ButterBurger
has become an important element in its success. Made from fresh ground chuck seared on the grill and light butter toasted on
the crown of the bun, Culver’s uses a full-service versus limited-service preparation approach as each burger is cooked-toorder.
Frozen custard or “premium ice cream” is made on the premise several times each day, making it another signature
item on Culver’s menu. Vanilla and chocolate flavors are available everyday as well as a “flavor of the day” chosen from some
141 different options.
With three decades of restaurant experience, George Culver and son Craig created the Culver’s concept and opened the first
restaurant in Sauk City, WI, in 1984. Franchising began in 1987, but the chains’ current expansion thrust began in 1995 when
the company broke our out of its home state and opened in Minnesota and Illinois. Today, five restaurants in the system are
owned by the Culvers and serve as training restaurants. The remaining restaurants are owner/operator franchised restaurants.
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