Culver vs The Counter Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$711,133 - $1,939,750
Franchise Fee $55,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%2%
Year Founded 19842003
Year Franchised 19882005
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Experience --

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

Training & Support
 
Culver Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Training - On-The-Job Training: 964 hours Classroom Training: 164 hours
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations 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)

 Absentee Ownership Allowed

Expansion Plans
 
Culver Franchise
The Counter Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion 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.

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 The Counter

Our premium build-your-own burger experience offers over 312,000+ combinations, a modern industrial design and unique beers and wines. gourmet hamburger franchise franchising Featured in GQ magazine as "One of the 20 Hamburgers to eat before you die" and "Best Burger" on OPRAH, we are awarding area development agreements throughout the USA to multi-unit operators that qualify. We have more than 75+ stores currently in development throughout the U.S. We're looking for franchisees that would only consider a Custom Built Life by investing in a spirited brand that reflects a part of who you are and what you believe in. Join our effort to own the premium gourmet burger segment and let's have a good time doing it.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of The Counter franchise ranges from $724,133 to $1,939,750 for a traditional restaurant franchise and between $711,133 to $1,924,750 for a non-traditional restaurant. This includes $38,000 to $47,500 for a traditional and $25,000 to $32,500 for a
non-traditional restaurant that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
Veteran Incentives 20% off franchise fee