Culver vs Lenny's Sub Shop Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Lenny's Sub Shop Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$188,216 - $396,146
Franchise Fee $55,000$20,000 - $25,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%2%
Year Founded 19841998
Year Franchised 19882001
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
Lenny's Sub Shop Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Lenny's Sub Shop 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
Lenny's Sub Shop Franchise
Training -Our motto is More Food, More Taste, More Personality! - and that includes more training too. We do more than just give you our recipes and well wishes. Training begins the minute you sign your franchise agreement. You are given a self-paced study program to prepare you for our extensive classroom and restaurant training. After you learn the basics you get to experience a new restaurant opening with our operations team prior to opening your own restaurant. We guide you through every step to ensure you're ready to spread the "Lenny's magic" in your community. On-The-Job Training: 196 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: As needed
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesFrom the moment you sign on until after your store opens, we are with you every step of the way. We will assist you in site selection and building out your restaurant. We will train you in all aspects of operating your restaurant and our support doesn't stop once you start your business. From our prized recipe specifications, to our streamlined operations manual, to our ongoing operational support, we are here for you. 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 advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates 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

Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 10


Expansion Plans

 
Culver Franchise
Lenny's Sub Shop Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
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 Lenny's Sub Shop

Authentic Philadelphia-style sub shop featuring great subs and Philly Cheesesteaks, meats and cheeses sliced to order, extra large portions, fresh baked breads and cookies.
Since opening in Memphis in 1998, Lennys Grill & Subs has been a stand-out franchise in the $21 billion-a-year sub sandwich category. Lennys Grill & Subs delivers on what consumers really want: delicious sandwiches made with authentic ingredients and an emphasis on customer service that inspires our guests to return time and time again.
Lennys Grill & Subs location works in just about any market and is an amazing business to own.

Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee
"Top
#50 in Gator's Top franchises.