Culver vs Spicy Pickle Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Spicy Pickle Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$300,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19841999
Year Franchised 19882003
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee $30K20% of then-current fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Spicy Pickle Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • People skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Culver Franchise
    Spicy Pickle Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Culver Franchise
    Spicy Pickle Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 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)

    		 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Culver Franchise
    Spicy Pickle Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    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






    About Spicy Pickle

    Spicy Pickle is looking for experienced restaurant operators who also have the financial ability and marketing expertise to develop territory. Spicy Pickle restaurants are in relatively small footprints and can, when properly developed, operated and marketed, produce attractive returns for the investment. Spicy pickle has earned a reputation for serving delicious culinary inspired food that caters mostly to the daytime working populations in a fast casual atmosphere. We are looking for franchisees who have earned a similar reputation for success in their hometowns and are looking for this type of opportunity. If this describes you we encourage you make application and set up a visit to our Corporate headquarters. Be prepared to present a business plan for the roll out of Spicy Pickle restaurants in your chosen development area. We have in place the infrastructure to assist you from initial financial projections to site selection and lease negotiation to build-out assistance, training, grand opening and ongoing marketing and operational support. We are experienced franchisors and restaurant operators and are looking for franchisee partners to help expand the brand. What we need you to have: * Significant business experience and references, preferably in the retail environment and specifically in restaurant operations. * Sufficient financial strength to open several Spicy Pickle restaurants as locations become available (at least $1 Million dollars of liquidity). * Strong ties to the local community. * A desire to build, own and operate your own business, and entrepreneur. * Enthusiasm and the ability to wake up every day with an opportunistic attitude.