Culver vs Big Town Hero Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Big Town Hero Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$73,550 - $245,200
Franchise Fee $55,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded 19841982
Year Franchised 19881989
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $30K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Culver Franchise
Big Town Hero Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Big Town Hero 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
Big Town Hero 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)

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Expansion Plans

 
Culver Franchise
Big Town Hero 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 Big Town Hero

Our story begins in 1981: Big Town Hero was then just a twinkle in the eye of a young college student. His idea: to provide a healthy, better-tasting alternative to fast-food restaurants - a sandwich shop that served great food with great service to match.

Our founder created his experience in the sandwich business in the college town of Corvallis, Oregon. His unique, fresh sandwiches on homemade bread were an immediate success, and the Big Town legend was born (Campus Hero back then).

Today, Big Town Hero is a culinary destination throughout the western United States; each store features an on-site bakery where we prepare our fabulous, famous bread efficiently from scratch daily. Our stores are growing as fast as our reputation: The Ultimate Sandwich is back and better than ever!

Through our growth and expansion, one thing will always remain unchanged - our unwavering commitment to fresh quality and legendary service.