Culver vs Willy Dog Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Willy Dog Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$599 - $8,999
Franchise Fee $55,000N/A
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
Willy Dog Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Willy Dog 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
Willy Dog 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
Willy Dog 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 Willy Dog

Willy dogs Hot Dog Carts build carts for any location and any type of business. Since 1989, we have been proving our experience in building and designing Vending Carts, Hot Dog Carts, and Concession Carts. We have a cart to suit everyone. Our complete stand in, self-contained carts and Hot Dog Carts have had great reviews. We put our experience and industry knowledge into every hot dog cart we build. The high quality construction and our guarantee, make US Hot Dog the choice for hot dog cart vending. Our mobile concession carts and hotdog carts are ready for easy safe towing using almost any vehicle. You can even push most of our Hot Dog Carts by hand. Our Hot Dog Carts are completely self contained with hot and cold running water and are powered by clean-burning propane. Our castor carts and coffee specialty carts are custom designed and are available in a variety of standard sizes for use in busy Casinos or Hotels. We custom build vending carts and stand in carts for all applications and welcome specialized design requests. We meet or exceed all health codes, but it is up to you to make sure that you have checked with your local health department to ensure that the hot dog cart you have ordered meets requirements for your area. Our Steamer Carts are available for a variety of foods. The majority of carts are being used as hotdogs carts, but can be used to boil or steam anything. If you need versatility in your product line, we have developed specialized carts that can be changed to a steamer cart, a BBQ grill cart or a combination of both. We are a true manufacturer of quality Hot Dog Carts and food carts for all purposes. Our Hot Dog Carts and Steamer Carts start with a sturdy steel frame dressed in stainless steel. Whether you are looking for a mobile hot dog cart or a push steamer cart, we are able to surface mount any stock equipment, as well as, build equipment directly into the body of your cart. We can produce any form of custom equipment such as in deck propane steamers & charbroilers. If it's quality for a price you're after, please make us your first and last choice.