Culver vs SmashHits Deli Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
SmashHits Deli Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$10,000 - $50,000
Franchise Fee $55,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4%0
Advertising Fee 2.5%0
Year Founded 1984-
Year Franchised 1988-
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Renewal Fee $30K0


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
SmashHits Deli Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
SmashHits Deli 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
SmashHits Deli 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)

-

Expansion Plans
 
Culver Franchise
SmashHits Deli Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion NoNo
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 SmashHits Deli

If your customers are craving something fresh, healthy, and innovative on-the-go, Smash Hit Subs is your answer. With 200 sub locations, our sub concept offers a robust menu featuring a wide selection of subs, wraps, salads, and soups. In addition to deli classics, we offer an exclusive "Under 400 Calories" line to capitalize on the most current trends. Our menus are also completely flexible, which allows our franchisees to offer the widest variety while maintaining targeted food costs. Our recipes also include cost of goods and photo training guides, to protect both your top and bottom line. We provide national marketing campaigns with new promotions every quarter, including high-impact advertising materials, exciting new product introductions, and limited-time offer options, whichever is better for your business. Our recipe is simple: Quality Products through Quality People. At Orion Food Systems, we have a great team that cares about creating the very best-tasting restaurant-quality food�"in addition to providing boutique-level service. When you partner with us, you'll receive a nimble, customizable food service solution as well as all of the training, marketing, and 24-hour support you'll need to be successful. Contact us at 1-877-841-1431 to learn how you can offer fresh & healthy options to your customers with a Smash Hit Subs franchise today!