Culver vs Melt Shop Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$368,240 - $698,800
Franchise Fee $55,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%2%
Year Founded 19842010
Year Franchised 19882017
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Experience -Melt Shop is seeking well capitalized partners who are entrepreneurial and have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry. At this time we are not offering sub-franchises.

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
Receivables No/Yes-/Yes
Payroll No/Yes-/Yes

Training & Support

 
Culver Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Training -On-The-Job Training: 224 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
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)

Number of Employees Required to Run: 15

Expansion Plans

 
Culver Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion NoYes

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 Melt Shop

Melt Shop believes that one quality, more than any other, determines the success of a concept: the strength of the brand and its connection to guests.
Melt Shop was built upon that premise
Seeking multi-unit franchisees with strong restaurant and hospitality experience and a shared dedication to operational excellence who have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry. At this time we are not offering sub-franchises.