Culver vs Runza Restaurants Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Runza Restaurants Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$1,250,000 - $2,720,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%1%+up to 4% locally
Year Founded 19841949
Year Franchised 19881970
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee $30K$5000


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Runza Restaurants Franchise
Experience --

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

Training & Support
 
Culver Franchise
Runza Restaurants Franchise
Training --
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
Marketing Ad slicks, National media, 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
Runza Restaurants 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 Runza Restaurants

Owning a Runza Restaurant isn't just about serving sandwiches - it's about serving communities. We opened our first restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1949, and we're still a family-owned business serving communities in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Iowa. Keeping it close to home ensures each Runza Restaurant gets hands-on support from headquarters, and each Runza meal is made with the same commitment to quality, chain-wide. We're always on the lookout for great people to become part of our family and grow Runza 's presence in the areas we serve. If you're interested, we encourage you to learn more about our process and how we support franchises. Then, peruse other Frequently Asked Questions and read some Franchisee success stories.
We are actively seeking Franchisee candidates in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Missouri and Wyoming only.