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Updated RecentlyCulver vs Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Culver vs Buffalo's Southwest Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $2,349,000 - $5,356,000 | $491,500 - $1,464,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $55,000 | $50,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | 2.5% | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1984 | 1985 |
| Year Franchised | 1988 | 1989 |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | $30K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - |
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Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-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 |
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| Training | - | Proper training is absolutely essential for maintaining the consistency and integrity of the Buffalo's operation. To that end, we set rigorous standards for staff development. Franchisees will receive a detailed and comprehensive curriculum on operating their Buffalo's business. Every franchisee receives a set of Buffalo's manuals containing the entire training program. These can be kept on hand for reference to direct their daily operations. They provide quick and convenient information -- answering franchisee's questions regarding all operating procedures. Before a Franchisee can open their first Buffalo’s Cafe restaurant, the proposed primary operators of the restaurant will attend the Buffalo’s Cafe training course for 4-6 weeks. A Principal Owner will also participate in a 2 week Executive Training program. The franchisee is responsible for all costs incurred including travel and lodging of the management team |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | When a franchisee joins the Buffalo's Cafe family they benefit from the experience of a professional management team and a well-thought-out plan to help get their store(s) up and running quickly. When a franchisee joins the Buffalo's Cafe family, they receive support from an organization committed to success. |
| Marketing | Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Following the development of a new site, the Buffalo's Cafe New Store Opening Guide and marketing department will assist a franchisee in planning their store opening. Franchisee's can rest assured that the Buffalo's team will be there to make sure the opening is a successful one. A handy Local Store Marketing Guide full of great promotional ideas and instructions for building store traffic is also available to franchisees. |
| 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) | Each franchisee is assigned a Buffalo's Cafe Franchise Consultant. The Buffalo's Cafe Franchise Consultants are available at all times to support franchisees, assure consistency of the Buffalo's Cafe brand and to assist franchisees in all areas of operations including financial analysis, marketing promotions and vendor selection. |
Expansion Plans |
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| 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.
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About Buffalo's Southwest Cafe
Our first restaurant opened its doors in 1985 in Roswell, Georgia. Since
then, we’ve grown to over 25 Buffalo’s Cafe restaurants around the world
(with plenty more coming soon to a city near you). Revered by our fans
for our world-famous buffalo-style chicken wings and sauces - Buffalo’s
Cafe is committed to serving the highest quality, fresh never frozen,
buffalo-style chicken wings and sauces in a family-friendly environment
with an exceptional guest experience. Most importantly, all you really
need to know "About Us” are these two things: Wings and Family. Why are
these so important to us? Because that’s what our fans want and that’s
what we care about - making our fans happy.
For qualified individuals, Buffalo's Southwest Cafe can be a great opportunity for single or multi-unit operators.