Culver vs HomeSmart Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
HomeSmart Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$65,500 - $205,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 4%varies
Advertising Fee 2.5%varies
Year Founded 19842000
Year Franchised 19882005
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
HomeSmart Franchise
Experience - We're looking for outgoing, results-oriented franchise candidates with strong track record of business success; people that can build relationships, lead teams, and have the motivation to excel! *Liquid Capital Required: $49,000 *Net Worth Required: $125,000

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
HomeSmart 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
HomeSmart Franchise
Training -Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Virtual training
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
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)

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 2 - 5


Expansion Plans

 
Culver Franchise
HomeSmart 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 HomeSmart

HomeSmart International offers franchise opportunities using a proven “Low-fee, high-value” brokerage model. High value is achieved through SMART execution and service. This results in innovative processes and technology that will continue to revolutionize the residential real estate industry, while keeping your brokerage on the forefront. Our proven model focuses on four key pillars of success: Career Services, Agent Services, Broker Services and Transaction/Closing Services- and the creation of operational efficiencies within each pillar through our proprietary technology. Join One of the Fastest Growing Real Estate Companies! This franchise model has created one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the nation in a very short time, with agent counts up 51% over the last two years to over 7,700 agents worldwide in 14 states and 2 countries. We have immediate plans to continue our exponential growth across the United States this year.

Make the SMART move with HomeSmart

Learn more to see if the HomeSmart real estate franchise model might be the right fit for you.
See how HomeSmart is leading the real estate revolution.

Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee