Culver's

Specializing in burgers and custard, Prairie du Sac-based Culver Franchising System, LLC is the 30^th-largest restaurant chain in America according to Nation’s Restaurant News. The first Culver’s restaurant opened in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin. As of the end of 2023, the company had 937 franchise locations and 7 company-owned restaurants, with locations in 26 states, including 133 in Wisconsin. Culver's reported $263.8 million in operating revenue in 2023, up 18.8% from 2022, and $106.3 million in net income, up 40.7% from 2022. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Culver’s restaurant is between $2.8 million and $6.87 million. That includes a $30,000 to $55,000 initial franchise fee. Franchisees that sign a multiple unit development agreement, must pay the company a development fee of $50,000 for each restaurant that they agree to develop under their development schedule.