Culver vs Burger Hut Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Burger Hut Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$376,092 - And Up
Franchise Fee $55,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4%4.5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19841978
Year Franchised 19882007
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
Burger Hut Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Burger Hut 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
Burger Hut 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
Burger Hut 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 Burger Hut

In 1978, we had a plan to work in a friendly environment where our guests would be welcomed and always feel comfortable; one that offered quality food at value prices. We wanted to serve food quickly, but not serve fast food. We wanted to serve popular and common food (after all, what's more common than a burger in the USA?) but prepare it in an uncommon way -- with special attention to quality and selection. We wanted our guests to have plenty of fresh choices when it came to condiments. We wanted a place we could be proud of and where we would make lots of new friends!

The original Burger Hut in Chico, California was located just across the railroad tracks from California State University, Chico. Over the years we have consistently provided quick value-packed meals to college students, while helping many work their way through school as employees. As our popularity grew, so did our business, and we opened several other Burger Hut locations nearby.

Today, Burger Hut continues to serve the highest quality food. A family owned and operated restaurant tradition, Burger Hut Burgers takes pride in being a part of the community. Our philosophy remains simple -- provide quality fresh food at reasonable prices and let the guests decide what goes on their burgers.