Woody's Chicago Style vs Culver Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
Culver Franchise
Investment $58,600 - $394,000$2,349,000 - $5,356,000
Franchise Fee N/A$55,000
Royalty Fee 6%4%
Advertising Fee -2.5%
Year Founded 19901984
Year Franchised 19911988
Term Of Agreement 5 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years15 years
Renewal Fee $2K$30K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
Culver Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
    Culver Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
    Culver Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 6% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 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
     
    Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
    Culver Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Woody's Chicago Style

    Woody's has many types of operation: Class A Franchise *Propane or electric format *Highly mobile *Operates without on-site utilities *Moderate to high volume *Trailer included Class B Franchise *High volume capacity *Greater presence *Propane or electric format *Limited Mobility *Trailer included Class C Franchise *Limited mobile format *220V, 40 amp power requirement *Fully self-contained *Established product line *Fully automatic equipment Class D Franchise: In-Line Store. Class D Twin Carts. Class D Kiosk. Class D Stand Alone. Class E Franchise: *Class A cart package included *Operates without on-site utilities *High volume capabilities *Additional specialized training included *Cart transport trailer included *Additional optional equipment available. Class K Kiosk Franchise was developed to accommodate the ever evolving mobile food service industry. This program enables a Franchisee to be open year round during some of the most extreme weather. This fully enclosed, self-contained kiosk unit is still considered a mobile unit, but is adaptable to municipalities that are looking for more of a permanent structure and less mobile. It can be customized to fit many code directed specifications of various deemed health departments or local code enforcement agencies. The kiosk allows vendors to offer a broader menu, and can accommodate more storage and cooking space than the traditional class A, B and C franchises, which in turn allows access to locations where foot traffic is more prevalent.

    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