Culver vs Lick's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Lick's Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$495,000 - $595,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$45,000
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
Lick's Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Lick's 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
Lick's 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
Lick's Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion NoYes
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 Lick's

Opportunities exist for highly motivated, energetic individuals with excellent people skills and the ability to communicate enthusiasm, who share our passion for success and commitment to quality. Get the Lick's Advantage! Lick's offers a "turnkey operation", planning, design, & construction, training, hiring, training of staff, pre-opening assistance, on going support and guidance, operating manuals, recipes and menus, accounting services, purchasing, advertising and promotion. Lick's will assist you with site selection and lease negotiations, and will provide all the necessary planning, design and construction of your store. Lick's provides an extensive, mandatory training program complete with comprehensive manuals for all potential franchisees. Before you open, you will be provided advice and assistance in the hiring and training of required staff and a trained Lick's representative will spend a minimum of four weeks with you at your store to assist in the set up and opening operations. Following this, Licks will provide any and all necessary supervision, consultation and assistance as determined by the Lick's Inspection and support program. You will automatically become a part of the centrally controlled Lick's supply system for food, beverages, paper and other supplies. Lick's also administers a central advertising and promotion fund for highly efficient, cost effective marketing programs and in-store promotions. Lick's is now aggressively developing franchise locations in Ontario and Master Franchise opportunities outside the Ontario Region.