Culver vs Dixie Lee Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Dixie Lee Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$160,000 - $369,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 1984-
Year Franchised 1988-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
Dixie Lee Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Dixie Lee 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
Dixie Lee 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
Dixie Lee Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
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 Dixie Lee

"If you plant the seed it will grow"

Since 1964 in Belleville, Ont.and now based in Kingston, Ontario, Dixie Lee is gaining significant growth and opportunity Internationally. Dixie Lee has a strong commitment to working closely with its franchisees and its area developers. Dixie acknowledges the importance of developing its concept to fit the immense range of ethnic challenges worldwide. We take great care in making our food line up and concept tailored to each area being developed. This may include changing our spice taste profile or our concept design. Whatever works in that region.

We seek franchise candidates to develop multiple unit restaurants. Advantages with this method allows you to maintain scale and leverage within your operation. Any new franchisee will need to develop:

 a) a learning curve to develop food preparation and efficiencies in production.
 b) developing processes and system communication procedures.

Opening multiple restaurants utilizes this same knowledge which makes any future openings less complicated.

Dixie Lee Fried Chicken is synonymous with quality food. If you have fallen in love with our premium fried chicken, you may be thinking about how you can share our delicious food with your friends and family. Opening your own franchise is a great way to bring Dixie Lee to your community. 

Not only will you be part of providing great-tasting food to friends and family, but you will be able to join the ever-growing Dixie Lee family! And Dixie Lee really is family. Our customers know that dining in our restaurants and sharing our famous fried chicken is like eating at home, surrounded by people who care. Opening a franchise gives you the chance to share the Dixie Lee experience with your community through high-quality food and excellent guest service every day. If you have been wondering about opening a Dixie Lee Fried Chicken franchise near you here is some information that can help you start on the right path.