Nathan's Famous vs Culver Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Nathan's Famous vs Culver including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Culver Franchise
Investment $43,000 - $1,071,360$2,349,000 - $5,356,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$55,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%4%
Advertising Fee 2%2.5%
Year Founded 19161984
Year Franchised 19881988
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Renewal Fee 50% of franchise fee$30K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Culver Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Culver Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Culver Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertisingAd slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (65% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 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)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Culver Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Nathan's Famous

    Franchising is a business concept that allows qualified investors to become part of an established, existing “system.” A good way to look at franchising is, you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Strategically, this provides many benefits under a brand name that has consumer awareness and equity.
    Nathan’s has taken this basic premise and redefined it to exceed the most stringent business criteria of today’s investor.

    Nathan’s offers a wide range of restaurant designs and customized equipment, thereby offering business opportunities to qualified candidates regardless of space constraints or investment limitations.

    The estimated initial investment for a BMP Operation ranges from $43,000 to $86,300, including an initial license fee of $7,500. If you want to add an “Arthur Treacher’s” BMP Operation to your new or existing food service establishment, the additional estimated initial investment will be from $34,404 to $81,486, including an initial license fee of $7,500.

    "Top
    #78 in Gator's Top franchises
    #286 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Culver

    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 twelve states. All Culver's franchisees are owner/operators.
     
    We’re looking for leaders with the initiative and skills to take a team of people and operate a Culver’s according to our high standards. You need energy and enthusiasm. You have to be willing to work hard. You have to love people and believe, as we do, that having a great heart is also good business.

    Culver’s has grown to over 500 restaurants in 22 states.

    Culver's is leading the way in the industry and in our communities. If you are craving a restaurant business made to order for you, where your financial success is directly related to how well you and your team execute against Culver’s mission that every guest who chooses Culver’s leaves happy, we invite you to consider becoming a Culver’s franchisee.

    Seeking new franchise units in: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming

    "Entrepreneur


    #9 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #5 in Franchise 500 for 2021