Culver vs Bonchon Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Bonchon Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$503,879 - $1,099,004
Franchise Fee $55,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 4%3.75%- 4.75%
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19842002
Year Franchised 19882002
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years+5+5
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years+5+5
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Bonchon Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
Bonchon 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
Bonchon Franchise
Training -Four-week initial training at our headquarters in New York City and an intensive 5 days on-site training during the store opening
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
Bonchon 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 Bonchon

""

Bonchon Chicken is a global restaurant chain best known for its crunchy double-fried chicken, savory signature sauces, and unique pan-Asian menu.
Founded in 2002 in South Korea, “Bonchon” means “my hometown” in Korean and represents the company’s mission and commitment to authentic, traditional ingredients and cooking techniques, ensuring the highest level of quality, flavor, and care with each dish.
It is for these reasons, Bonchon was recognized by Business Insider in 2019 as “the gold standard for fried chicken,” beating out five major restaurant chains for “best chicken wings.” Bonchon was also recently named as a top-10 innovative restaurant in Fast Casual’s 2020 Top 100 Movers & Shakers,
further solidifying Bonchon’s position as a leader within the industry.
Today, Bonchon has over 340 locations worldwide, including more than 100 restaurants and franchise outposts across the United States.
  • Traditional sit-down: Restaurants provide a friendly, casual dining experience perfect for gathering with family or friends
  • Quick service / Fast Casual: Restaurants serve Bonchon to customers looking for express-style dining and to-go orders
  • Food Court Concept: Restaurants are streamlined and designed primarily for shopping malls and food courts
The total investment necessary to begin operation of one Bonchon Business is from $503,879 to $1,099,004 (not including real property), including $55,754 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation as a franchisee under an Area Development Agreement is from $32,000 to $105,000 (assuming, for the low end of the range, 3 and, for the high end of the range, 10 Businesses, although this is not a maximum), including $30,000 to $100,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.

#277 in Franchise 500 for 2021.  Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.