Culver's Franchise News

Frank and Sarah Spanopolous Accept GM Culver Award
March 01, 2012 // Franchising.com // Frank and Sarah Spanopolous, owners of the Culver's restaurant at 240 Federal Drive in Corydon Indiana, are the recipients of the 2012 GM Culver Award. The award, named after Culver's late co-founder George Culver, is the highest honor in the organization which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated long-term visionary leadership and success.
The award was presented to Frank and Sarah by co-founder and CEO Craig Culver at the company's convention in Phoenix, Arizona last week. "Frank and Sarah are very deserving of this honor. They are passionate about their restaurant and team members and dedicated to the Culver's mission that ‘every guest who leaves Culver's, leaves happy,'" said Craig Culver in presenting the award...

Culver's Guests Can Nominate Their Hero for a Chance to Win $5,000
PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2011) - To celebrate everyday heroes who exemplify hometown values by making a difference in their communities, Culver's is launching the Hometown Hall of Fame Contest. Between November 7 and December 5, guests are encouraged to share the story of their local hero for a chance for their nominee to win $5,000.
"We're proud to support our local communities throughout the year," says Craig Culver, co-founder and CEO of Culver's. "The Hometown Hall of Fame contest recognizes heroes who go above and beyond to make a positive impact. This contest is our way of saying 'thank you for all you do.'"
For the Hometown Hall of Fame, a hero can be defined as just about anyone who makes a difference; a firefighter, police officer, teacher, nurse, volunteer or a parent...

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI--(Marketwire - May 11, 2011) - For guests looking for more choices, Culver's introduces a new right-size option for its irresistible Concrete Mixer®: the Mini Mixer. Guests can choose from popular flavors such as Crazy for Cookie Dough or Brownie Batter or create their own Mini Mixer masterpiece.

"Fresh Frozen Custard Concrete Mixer lovers know that sometimes it takes two people to finish one of these decadent treats," said David Stidham, vice president of marketing for Culver's. "The Mini Mixer gives guests permission to indulge with a just-the-right-size choice."

Guests can enjoy the Mini Mixer in such comfort flavors as Crazy for Cookie Dough, which is handcrafted with oven-ready cookie dough, and the signature fudge and caramel...

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI --(Marketwire - March 21, 2011) - The Northwoods Walleye, a traditional guest favorite at Culver's restaurants, will hook fans again this Lenten season as it's added to Culver's seafood round-up. The Northwoods Walleye receives the same royal treatment as all Culver's fresh fish, which is to be lightly hand-battered and golden fried once the guest orders it, never before.

"Our commitment to cooked-to-order meals includes our popular Northwoods Walleye, which is battered and cooked after the guest places an order," said Jim Doak, Culver's executive chef. "We hand batter it and fry it to perfection, creating a big flakiness that can only be found in top-quality fish filets. We have guests who anticipate the arrival of our walleye all year...

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI --(Marketwire) - Culver's recently launched the new Three Cheese ButterBurger, giving guests three new reasons to head to Culver's. The ButterBurger, a guest favorite, is amplified with three varieties of cheese, all crafted in Culver's home state of Wisconsin. Cheddar (Kiel, Wis.), Swiss (New Berlin, Wis.) and American (Manitowoc County) bloom with flavor on the fresh, never frozen Midwest-raised beef seared on a grill. The lightly buttered, toasted bun gives a ButterBurger its signature name.

"Real Wisconsin cheese and dairy are at the heart of the Culver's menu. Wisconsin farmers have been cheese experts for more than 160 years, and their tried and true methods have come to produce the high-quality products that can now be enjoyed by cheese lovers nationwide in Culver's restaurants," said David Stidham, vice president of marketing for Culver's...

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI--(Marketwire - June 1, 2010) - Famous for their wide variety of signature ButterBurgers, Culver's has launched the Ultimate ButterBurger Build-Off Contest. They are challenging their fans and guests to create a new burger masterpiece for a chance to win the Ultimate Culver's experience. Although the actual ButterBurger will never change, the toppings and creativity are all up for grabs. People can enter to win by submitting their favorite and unique recipe to complement the legendary ButterBurger, which of course starts with a Culver's-style 100 percent fresh, never-frozen burger patty that has been grilled to perfection and served on the toasted, lightly buttered bun that gives the ButterBurger its unique name.

"Our guests always have a big say in what's on the menu -- but this really is a whole new level," says Craig Culver, co-founder and CEO of Culver's...

Wisconsin-based restaurant chain one of the first to begin serving again

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Culver's®, famous for its ButterBurgers® and fresh frozen custard, announced today that it has authorized all restaurants to begin offering sliced tomatoes in salads, ButterBurgers, sandwiches and other daily features effective upon delivery of fresh product from their distribution network.

"With the FDA clearing the growing region where we receive our tomatoes, we are delighted to bring the product back to our guests," said Phil Keiser, president of Culver's. "We originally made the decision to comply with the FDA directives because our guests' safety is our number one priority, although no illnesses had been reported at Culver's restaurants or with our supplier's product...

Quality food, exceptional service and hospitality allow Culver's to expand to more than 370 restaurants

February 26, 2008 // Franchising.com // Prairie du Sac, Wis. – Statistics show franchises are a better entrepreneurial investment than independent business ownership; over 30 percent of small businesses fail in the first year1 versus franchise success rates of 95 percent2.

Culver's®, a Wisconsin-based restaurant chain serving its famous ButterBurgers® and frozen custard, hedges as much of this risk as possible with the help of Culver Franchising System, Inc. (CFSI). To Culver's, the franchise process is just as much about the company choosing the right franchisee as it is the franchisee choosing Culver's...

American Red Cross Chapters Benefit from 10 Percent of Sales Donation Happening in Culver's More Than 370 Restaurants

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In conjunction with National Red Cross Month, Culver's® more than 370 restaurants in 16 states are donating 10 percent of sales on Wednesday, March 5, to participating American Red Cross® chapters during a second annual system-wide "Day of Giving" fundraising event. Guests can enhance the total Red Cross contribution by giving personal donations in canisters available at each location throughout the week. Building on last year's success, Culver's fundraising goal for the one-day event is $175,000.

Culver's and the American Red Cross are holding the event during National Red Cross Month to celebrate and reflect upon the work of the Red Cross in communities throughout America...

With funding secure, project turns to benefit a Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee literacy program

January 30, 2008 // Franchising.com // MILWAUKEE – With funding for the bronze life-like statue of Henry Winkler as his iconic TV character Fonzie, from the hit series "Happy Days" now secure, the project is moving into a new community benefit direction thanks to an innovative and fun promotion at all Milwaukee-area Culver's restaurants.

At a Milwaukee news conference today at the Culver's restaurant in the Shops at Grand Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, attended by Winkler, Culver's co-founder Craig Culver, announced that for a limited time, starting Feb. 1, Culver's will donate $1 for every Turtle Sundae ordered at its 41 Milwaukee area restaurants to SPARK (Spheres of Proud Achievement in Reading for Kids...

October 24, 2007 // Franchising.com // Prairie Du Sac, Wis. – With an expanded menu offering the best value and dinner variety, Culver's® has the answer to satisfy those hearty meal cravings that often accompany the transition to cooler weather. Culver's has introduced five complete dinners including an entrée and the choice of two classic sides, providing busy people on-thego with a fresh and delicious, cooked-like-home meal for a great value.

Culver's prides itself on pleasing guests with a larger selection of great-tasting dinners including the following menu choices: · Chopped Steak Dinner: Try Culver's new, one-third pound chopped steak dinner, a juicy cut of quality beef smothered with grilled onions, mushrooms and a rich and creamy beef gravy...

Dozens of Local American Red Cross® Chapters Benefit From 10 Percent of Sales Donation

September 21, 2007 // Franchising.com // Prairie du Sac, Wis. – Culver's® restaurants in 16 states raised more than $165,000 for local American Red Cross® chapters during the inaugural "Day of Giving" fundraising event held on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The fundraiser surpassed the system-wide goal by more than $15,000.

More than 340 Culver's restaurants raised the funds through a 10 percent of sales donation as well as additional funds placed in canisters by generous guests. The money raised at each locally owned and operated restaurant will stay in the community in which it was donated to help the Red Cross® pay for local community programs as well as emergency preparedness and disaster relief efforts...

Local American Red Cross Chapters Benefit From 10-Percent of Sales Donation Happening in Culver's More Than 360 Restaurants

August 30, 2007 // Franchising.com // Prairie du Sac, Wis. – In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, Culver's® restaurants in 16 states are donating 10 percent of sales on Wednesday, Sept. 12 to participating American Red Cross® chapters during a system-wide 'Day of Giving' fund-raising event. In addition, guests will be able to give personal donations in canisters available at each location. Culver's estimates the one-day event will raise more than $150,000 for local chapters.

Culver's and the American Red Cross decided to hold the event during National Preparedness Month to remind guests about the importance of being prepared for an emergency and all that the Red Cross does to aid the community during a local emergency or disaster...

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Red Cross chapters are joining forces with locally owned and operated Culver's® restaurants on a new Culver's Cares™ community campaign to raise funds and awareness for emergency and humanitarian programs. Developed under the restaurant chain's Culver's Cares program, this partnership brings together participating Culver's from more than 350 restaurants in 16 states with their local Red Cross chapters. Programs will directly benefit residents in local communities, helping them prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. All funds raised stay in local communities. These community efforts will include a Day of Giving system-wide fundraising event on Sept. 12, which is expected to raise over $150,000 for local Red Cross charities through participating Culver's restaurants...

Nationwide Independent Survey From Restaurants & Institutions Magazine Awards Culver's Platinum Award in Burger Category

Prairie du Sac, Wis. (Aug. 1, 2007) – Culver's®, home of the ButterBurger®, has been rated the best burger chain in the country according to the 2007 annual survey of diners conducted by Restaurants & Institutions® magazine.

Culver's received the much sought after platinum ranking after consumers voted on their dining experience in the magazine's Consumers' Choice in Chains survey. Consumers rated nearly 120 restaurant chains on eight customer satisfaction attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, reputation and convenience. Culver's combined overall score in the eight categories earned the Midwest-based restaurant chain the Consumers' Choice In Chains® Platinum Award...

Looking for a Tasty Snack on the Lighter Side

Prairie du Sac, Wis. (Aug. 1, 2007) – As high-quality, fresh, convenient food and portable snacks that can be enjoyed on-the-go increase in popularity, Culver's is introducing two new flavorful wraps available beginning August 6.

Culver's new signature sandwiches include a Tuna Salad Wrap and Chicken Salad Wrap. The wrap can be ordered on their own or in a Value Basket with a choice of a side order and drink making them perfect for a late afternoon or late evening snack or as a meal. Available for a recommended price of only $2.99 plus tax for a sandwich and $5.29 plus tax for a Value Basket, Culver's new signature sandwiches offer guests another great value for those seeking quality food made fresh-to-order only after the guest orders...

COA Baseball Outing will Take In Front-Running Brewers and Mets

Prairie Du Sac, Wis. (July 24, 2007) – One hundred kids from Milwaukee's COA Youth & Family Centers (Children's Outing Association) will be singing a chorus of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" thanks to a donation by Culver's Frozen Custard restaurants providing an outing to Helfaer Field and complimentary tickets to the Aug. 2 Brewers game. COA youth ages 7 to 12 from the Goldin Center Day Camps, located at 909 E. North Ave. and 2320 W. Burleigh St., will be treated to a fun-filled day beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a food and drinks (also donated by Culver's) at Helfaer Field. The Miller Park sausages will be on hand to play kickball and baseball with the kids before the Brewers take on the New York Mets for an afternoon game starting at 1:05 p...

Prairie du Sac, Wis. (July 16, 2007) - To help offset the skyrocketing cost of secondary education, Culver's will award upwards of $200,000 in scholarships to 185 restaurant team members during its Annual VIP Scholarship Reception July 17 in Madison, Wis. Recipients will be awarded a $1,000 to $2,000 scholarship from the Culver's® VIP Foundation Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the generosity of Culver's franchisees, suppliers and Culver Franchising System, Inc., in 2007 scholarships totaling $199,500 have been awarded to team members pursuing college and other post-high school education. More than 100 restaurants and their team members from 15 states were represented through this year's program. This is the 14th consecutive year Culver's has awarded scholarships, for a combined total of more than $930,000...