Requirements

Interested in becoming a Culver’s franchisee? Please review these important requirements.

Operational

Franchisees owning and operating their restaurants in a full-time capacity is our recipe for making sure guests receive the hospitality to make them feel at home. An owner/operator must maintain at least a 50 percent ownership in the business or a 25 percent ownership in the business and real estate. That's because we believe the same owner/operator philosophy that made the original Culver's such a success extends to all franchises.

Financial

You and any potential business partners will need a minimum total of $400,000 to $750,000 in liquid assets to qualify for a Culver’s franchise. Many of our restaurants are partnerships.

Trade Area

We will consider granting a Culver's franchise in trade areas that have a minimum of 25,000 people and 15,000 employees within a 3-mile radius of a proposed site.

Real estate is an important component in the viability of a Culver's location. You should seek a location that is on the dominant traffic corridor—ideally, on the path your guests already pass as they are heading out for work, school, shopping, or recreation. Be sure the roads around your site allow guests adequate decision making time with good access and visibility, and a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Corner lots at signalized intersections are preferred. 

Learn about the step by step process »