Culver vs Energy Kitchen Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Energy Kitchen Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$750,000 - $1,000,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19841999
Year Franchised 19882006
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Energy Kitchen Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
Energy Kitchen 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
Energy Kitchen Franchise
Training -* Available at headquarters: 6 weeks
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)

* 33% of all franchisees own more than one unit

* Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 10

* Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Expansion Plans
 
Culver Franchise
Energy Kitchen 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 Energy Kitchen

We are dedicated to bringing you great tasting food that's good for you! We use only the highest quality ingredients for meals that are nutritionally-balanced, low fat & packed with protein. Everything is cooked to order, never in advance. Energy Kitchen is a health/body conscious dining venue serving up tasty, low-fat, low carb dishes. The cornerstone of Energy Kitchen™ is its ability to provide the healthiest sandwiches, platters, salads and smoothies in a creative, tasty presentation. Some of our creative innovations include the Turkey Joe Wrap, Bison Cheese steak and BBQ chicken quesadilla. To compliment these meals, we also have a full line of designer smoothies known as the Liquid Lab, which includes the Lean Body Creamsicle and the Protein power punch. All dishes are made to order and are prepared only by grilling, baking, or steaming; the menu excludes beef and focuses on the more healthy substitutes of chicken, turkey, bison and ostrich. The Energy Kitchen provides high energy foods for people on the go - serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.