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Updated RecentlyCulver vs Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Culver vs Zoup! Fresh Soup Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $2,349,000 - $5,356,000 | $355,900 - $648,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $55,000 | $39,900 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | 2.5% | 1% |
| Year Founded | 1984 | 1998 |
| Year Franchised | 1988 | 2003 |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods |
| Renewal Fee | $30K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Payroll | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | On-The-Job Training: 72 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app |
| 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) |
30% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14 Absentee Ownership Allowed |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | No |
| Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
| International Expansion | No | No |
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.
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About Zoup! Fresh Soup Company
The first Zoup! opened in 1998 in Southfield, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Over the next five years, the founders opened five more Detroit-area locations, and in 2003 they began to franchise the concept. Zoup! restaurants feature 12 rotating daily varieties of soup, including low-fat, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options. Made-to-order salads, sandwiches and baked goods are also available.
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