Culver vs Souper Salad Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Souper Salad Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$593,650 - $873,200
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19841978
Year Franchised 19882009
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Souper Salad Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
Souper Salad 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
Souper Salad 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
Souper Salad 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 Souper Salad

Souper Salad restaurants are perfect for customers seeking a casual atmosphere with fresh, and healthy food. Now operating bustling locations in multiple states, we're pleased to invite you to join in the success of the growing Souper Salad family.Souper Salad is actively seeking experienced retail operators with proven expertise in the food service industry. Souper Salad franchisees must be experts in their markets, be willing to work diligently and provide full-time best efforts toward the success of the Souper Salad brand.
 
Our all-you-can-eat buffet features made-from-scratch soups, fresh salads and fruit, delicious made-from-scratch breads, baked potatoes, and dessert. Our menu items change daily and seasonally so you can try something new each visit as well as savor your favorites - and it’s all for one low price!
 
Veteran Incentives
50% off franchise fee