Culver vs Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$313,600 - $556,100
Franchise Fee $55,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%4.5%
Year Founded 19841983
Year Franchised 19881993
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee $30K$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Culver Franchise
    Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops 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/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Culver Franchise
    Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, 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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Culver Franchise
    Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops 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 Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops

    James J. Liautaud established Jimmy John's in Charleston, Illinois, in 1983 when he was 19 years of age. With utilized hardware, a cooler, one meat slicer, a cooler and a stove, Jimmy John Liautaud began his business without even a posted menu or an open air sign. At the time, he offered four sandwich assortments and 25-penny sodas. In the wake of going out sandwich tests all through the school town, Liautuad included conveyance benefit, tables, open air signs, menu sheets and an extended menu. He opened a few more stores and built up a model before diversifying started in 1993. Jimmy John's franchisees prepare bread at every store each day, and each sandwich is made new to arrange in 30 seconds.

    Watching your calories?  Try our 'Unwich'  A sandwich with lettuce for a wrapping, not bread !!

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Jimmy John's Restaurant is $313,600 to $556,100 (including initial real estate lease costs).
    This includes $30,000 to $37,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    If you want development rights (for a minimum of 3 Restaurants), you must pay the franchisor a development fee equal to $35,000 (the initial franchise fee for the first Restaurant), plus the $30,000 initial franchise fee due under each additional Franchise Agreement you sign when you sign the Development Rights Rider, plus a deposit of $10,000 for each additional Restaurant you agree to develop but for which you do not sign a Franchise Agreement when you sign the Development Rights Rider.

    "Entrepreneur

    #23 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #72 in Franchise 500 for 2021.