Culver vs Farmer Boys Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Culver Franchise
Farmer Boys Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$1,042,500 - $2,486,500
Franchise Fee $55,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%3%
Year Founded 19841981
Year Franchised 19881997
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Culver Franchise
Farmer Boys Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Culver Franchise
    Farmer Boys 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/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Culver Franchise
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 480 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Loyalty program/app
    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)

    		 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 30

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Culver Franchise
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 Farmer Boys

    During the 1970s, brothers Makis and Chris Havadjias worked in restaurants to earn money for college. They helped the owners of one of those restaurants rebuild the establishment, and later bought it. With the experience they gained at that first restaurant, the brothers bought a poorly performing restaurant in Perris, California, that they built into Farmer Boys. With the help of their three other brothers, the Havadjias expanded Farmer Boys throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California. Each location serves hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and a full breakfast menu. The company began franchising in 1998.

    #128 in Franchise 500 for 2021. Not ranked in 2020.