Culver vs Tom and Chee Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Tom and Chee Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$302,700 - $456,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19842012
Year Franchised 19882017
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Tom and Chee Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Culver Franchise
Tom and Chee 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
Tom and Chee 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
Tom and Chee 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 Tom and Chee

"Tom

After expanding to more than 12 locations across seven states,
Tom & Chee is poised for a new era of rapid growth. With a simplified business model, state-of-the-art training and technology, a new menu and restaurant design, and new leadership with over 50+ years in the franchise industry, Tom & Chee is ready to welcome passionate franchisees who want to own a business that brings joy and love to their communities. Here’s why Tom & Chee stands out as a wise sandwich & grilled cheese franchise investment:

“Tom & Chee is creating a new category within the sandwich space,” says Roger David, CEO & President of Tom & Chee. “There’s something really special about our brand. We’re changing the game with our sandwich & grilled cheese franchise. It’s new, but also nostalgic. When our customers taste our food they think of Mom. They think of childhood with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We have created such a unique menu, with wonderful recipes and food made fresh in-house, and now we have a robust culture of franchise support that is going to take Tom & Chee to the next level. We’re looking for franchisees who are food-centric. If you love food, love people and love community, then you should be a part of a Tom & Chee.”

The estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Tom & Chee Restaurant franchise ranges from $302,700 to $456,000. This includes $30,000 (if this is the first Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased), $15,000 (if this is your second, third or fourth Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased) or $5,000 (if this is your fifth or greater Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased) that must be paid to the franchisor. The estimated initial investment does not include real estate, related improvement costs or tenant improvement allowances.