San Francisco Oven vs Culver Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
San Francisco Oven Franchise
Culver Franchise
Investment $474,100 - $807,300$2,349,000 - $5,356,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$55,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee -2.5%
Year Founded 20011984
Year Franchised 20031988
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee -$30K


Business Experience Requirements

 
San Francisco Oven Franchise
Culver Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    San Francisco Oven Franchise
    Culver Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    San Francisco Oven Franchise
    Culver Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 - 30

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% 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

     
    San Francisco Oven Franchise
    Culver Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About San Francisco Oven

     San Francisco Oven™ offers franchise development opportunities in the following states: Alabama Florida Kentucky Minnesota New York South Carolina West Virginia Arkansas Georgia Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina Tennessee Wisconsin Connecticut Indiana Massachusetts Missouri Ohio Texas Delaware Iowa Michigan New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia

    Each area developer is required to operate in a market area that will support a minimum of three (3) San Francisco Oven™ restaurants, and must commit to opening each restaurant within the territory no less frequently than one unit every 12-18 months. In certain markets some single units will be awarded.

    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