Real Estate and Site Development
Real estate is an important component in the viability of a Culver's location. We strongly encourage our franchise partners work with an established Culver's preferred partner real estate broker to assist in securing a site.
Important items to consider in reviewing sites include, but are not limited to:
- Good visibility from all angles - corner lots at signalized intersections are preferred
- Ease of ingress/egress - two enter/exit points are preferred
- Ability to make left-hand turns into and out of the site
- Proper zoning for drive-thru is required
- City codes should allow for construction of building and signage with no or few restrictions (Changeable reader boards are preferred)
- Ability to build up to 4,207 sf.
- There should be no plans by governement entities to alter traffic patterns in a manner that would have an adverse effect on your site
- Ability and cost of hook ups
- Availability to build to a height of 23'3"
Culver's is franchise-driven, and the vast majority of our franchise partners do own their real estate. Most of our restaurants are free-standing, however, we will also investigate co-branding and end-cap opportunities provided these opportunities accommodate a drive-thru. Conversions of existing buildings are becoming increasingly popular.
Site Requirements
| Site Detail |
Preferred |
Minimum |
| "Usable" Square Footage |
45,000 |
35,000 |
| Frontage |
175' |
150' |
| Average Daily Traffic |
30,000 |
15,000 |
| Speed Limit at Site Front |
35 MPH or Less |
|
3-Mile Radius Demographic Standards
Non-Interstate Locations
| Urban/Metro |
Preferred |
Minimum |
| Total Population |
70,000 |
50,000 |
| Total Employees |
40,000 |
20,000 |
| |
|
|
| Suburban/Outskirts |
Preferred |
Minimum |
| Total Population |
50,000 |
30,000 |
| Total Employees |
30,000 |
20,000 |
| |
|
|
| Small Towns |
Preferred |
Minimum |
| Total Population |
35,000 |
25,000 |
| Total Employees |
20,000 |
15,000 |
Would you like to submit a site for Culver's to review? Tell us about it »
For real estate inquiries, please contact:
Tom Goldsmith, Director of Development
Phone: (608) 644-2143
Dave O'Brien, Real Estate Manager
Phone: (608) 644-2639
For franchise opportunities, please contact:
Gary Rudsinski, Franchise Development Manager
Phone: (608) 644-2130
Current Development Market
Estimated Initial Investment
| Type of Expenditure |
Estimated Low Range |
Estimated High Range |
| Initial Franchise Fee |
$30,000 |
$55,000 |
| Land |
$480,000 |
$900,000 |
| Building |
$645,000 |
$1,185,000 |
| Travel, Living and Expense during Training |
$18,000 |
$80,000 |
| Initial Inventory |
$30,000 |
$34,000 |
| Equipment/Supplies |
$395,000 |
$455,000 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses |
$16,500 |
$28,500 |
| Additional Funds - for 3 Months |
$32,000 |
$74,000 |
A detailed explanation of the assumed estimated development costs and bases underlying the numbers stated in the table above is provided in the Culver's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). This website is not an offer to sell a Culver's franchise, nor are the communications directed by or for Culver Franchising System, Inc. (or its agents) to the residents of any state that requires registration of a franchise before offering and selling a franchise in that state. No Culver's franchise will be sold to any resident of any state until that state has registered the offering (or Culver's has obtained an applicable exemption from registration) and we have delivered the required Franchise Disclosure Document to the prospective franchisee consistent with applicable law. All information is subject to change.