Culver vs Slim Chickens Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Slim Chickens Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$841,900 - $1,739,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%1.5%
Year Founded 19842003
Year Franchised 19882011
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Slim Chickens Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
Slim Chickens 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
Slim Chickens 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
Slim Chickens Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
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 Slim Chickens

Our roots run deep in the Delta where the food is honest, meals are social, and the door is always open. We started with a mission to bring a dose of that southern hospitality to a fast, casual setting - serving Fresh Delicious Chicken® to the communities we serve.
Our startup story is pretty simple. It all started with a craving for a quick, quality meal - fresh chicken cooked to order. The founders, Greg Smart and Tom Gordon, discovered there was a niche to fill and rallied where lots of great startups begin, from their garage! Tireless testing and a laser-focused vision launched the first
Slim Chickens restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2003. Now, tens of thousands of happy customers later, we know that there’s something special about our hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh hot chicken sandwiches, made-to-order wings and our house-made dipping sauces that keep our loyal fans coming back…over and over again.
Our service model sets us apart from quick service restaurants. Whether you’re dining in, driving through, or carrying out, our people will greet you with a warm smile and a desire to please. When dining in, we bring your food to your table and provide you with that extra touch of hospitality. We strive to return that enthusiasm by giving back to the communities we serve - helping local non-profits with fundraisers, donating food to community events, and doing everything we can to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and work.

The initial investment necessary to begin operation of a single Slim Chickens franchise ranges from $841,900 to $1,739,000. This includes $15,000 that must be paid to the franchisor as initial franchise fees. If you sign a Development Agreement to develop multiple Restaurants, you will have to pay the franchisor a territory fee equal to $15,000 multiplied by the total number of Restaurants to be developed. The franchisor does not have a minimum number of Restaurants you would need to develop to sign a Development Agreement.