Culver vs O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$400,000 - $610,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$32,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 1984-
Year Franchised 1988-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars 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
O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars 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)

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Expansion Plans

 
Culver Franchise
O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars 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 O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars

While the focus for O'Briens has always been on healthier choices, they constantly strive to introduce a more ethical way of doing business with organic deli dishes and snacks, a wide variety of gourmet coffees where a growing percentage of beans come direct from the grower, and Fairtrade and organic tea. O'Briens has a greater variety within its Tossed Salads and healthy Wrappo ranges, which are perfect for lighter meals during the warmer spring and summer months. For autumn and winter, the menu moves more towards the warming hot organic roast carvery, traditional and specialty soups, not to mention toasted sandwiches, in all shapes and forms. O'Briens has more than 300 stores providing the healthy food option in 13 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Their reputation has been shaped on their famous made-to-order hot or cold sandwiches.