Culver vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$198,500 - $543,500
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%3%
Year Founded 19841997
Year Franchised 19881998
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Experience -Hands on management preferred, restaurant experience preferred (but not required), ability to follow a business system, financial capabilities, general business acumen, ability to work well in a team environment, and passion!!!

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe 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/Yes
Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

Training & Support
 
Culver Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Training -We believe in setting up our franchisees for success. We provide the following training: four-week training program, consisting of two weeks in a nearby Cafe, one week in a classroom setting at our Support Center in Atlanta, Georgia and one week onsite for your Grand Opening.
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-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)

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a very simple business operation since we do not utilize any fryers, grills, hooding systems or serve alcohol in the cafe.

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 20

Expansion Plans
 
Culver Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion NoYes

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 Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers genuine natural product smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads, and servings of mixed greens. Our more beneficial decisions are what today's customers request and search out. Maybe that is the reason in 2015, the main half of our franchisees had normal gross offers of $806,920*.

Our main goal is to motivate a more beneficial way of life by serving astounding smoothies and nourishment with a touch of tropical fun. On the off chance that you play to win, contribute well and turn into a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner at this point!

*Based on date-book year 2015, 77 of 359, or 21.4%, of the Cafes picked up or outperformed this business level. This data shows up in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. Your outcomes may vary. There is no confirmation that you will do also.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single-unit Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise ranges from $198,500 to $543,500. This range includes $37,500 that must be paid to the franchisor, consisting of a franchise fee of $30,000 and a grand opening marketing contribution of $7,500.
If a franchisee chooses to develop multiple units, a $20,000 franchise fee must be paid to the franchisor for the second and each additional unit.
Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
"Top               "Entrepreneur
#3 in Gator's Top franchises.
#18 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#14 in Franchise 500 for 2021.