Culver vs Cafe Fresh Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Culver Franchise
Cafe Fresh Franchise
Investment $2,349,000 - $5,356,000$133,500 - $253,000
Franchise Fee $55,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
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
Cafe Fresh Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Culver Franchise
Cafe Fresh 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
Cafe Fresh 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
Cafe Fresh 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 Cafe Fresh

Looking for a fresh opportunity? Café Fresh is an international brand, and a global leader in the booming healthy fast-casual food industry. Today's customer has a growing appetite for nutritious, delicious food, unlike the unhealthy fare offered by other fast food franchises. We are perfectly positioned to meet this demand, providing our guests with an extraordinary health experience unlike any they've ever tasted. Whether you're looking for a refreshing mid-afternoon smoothie or a hearty meal, every item on our menu is as good for the body as it is for the taste buds. Cafe Fresh's mission is to provide our guests with a fresh and healthy alternative to typically unhealthy fast food, while providing our owners and operators with a profitable business model and a brand they can be proud to be a part of. Our cutting-edge outlets are located in strategic sites with high foot traffic, clear visibility and easy access, and exude a fun, upbeat ambience that attracts loyal customers. Cafe Fresh is rapidly expanding, with many new stores opening throughout the U.S. and around the world. Opportunities include Unit and Multi-Units Franchises, Master Franchises and Co-Branding Franchises. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the best opportunity in order for you to fulfill your desire to become a successful business owner, whether it's one store, or dozens of stores throughout a particular territory. For more information on Cafe Fresh and how you can become part of our growing team of success stories, please e-mail us at [email protected], or call us at 604-526-1178. We look forward to hearing from you.