| ||||
Updated RecentlyCulver vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Culver vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
| Investment | $2,349,000 - $5,356,000 | $534,950 - $874,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $55,000 | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | 2.5% | Up to 4% |
| Year Founded | 1984 | 1977 |
| Year Franchised | 1988 | 2009 |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | $30K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
| Experience | - | Potbelly is looking for "Potbelly People" to become franchisees. That means people that love working with a team, have solid business experience (not necessarily in restaurants), the financial qualifications, possess personal motivation and have been successful. Our franchise owner/operator model is a two person team. Whether a family partnership or a business partnership we are looking for an operating team that wants to be owners of the neighborhood sandwich shop within their community. |
Financing Options |
||
| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Receivables | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Payroll | No/Yes | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
||
| Training | - | All new franchisees participate in a 10-12 week training program. This consists of real life experience in one of our company-owned training shops. In addition, we will train your key holding employees for 6 weeks at one of our company-owned training shops. Once completed, franchisees receive regular updates to their training along with our company-owned stores, including regular on site reviews. On-The-Job Training: 355 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
||
| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
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.
!["Entrepreneur]("https://d3fg11dgb68kbp.cloudfront.net/assets/photos/franchise-badge-22686037fc120ba1bd59c2c9fd6e0fbf.png"){kind=icon}