Monthly Overview
Welcome to February's franchise market update. As franchise activity continues across multiple sectors, we're tracking 102 total updates with strong movement in food & beverage, home services, and other service-based franchise categories. This month we're spotlighting Culver's, a fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, supported by decades of operational consistency and a strong community-driven brand model.
Data Update Statistics
Franchise Activity This Month
- New Franchise Additions19
- Updated Franchise Records83
Total102
Updated Data
- Email Addresses1,658
- Phone Numbers23,202
- Franchise base977
This Month's Franchise News
- •Large franchise systems continue shifting corporate-owned locations to franchise operators, reinforcing a broader industry trend toward asset-light growth models. This movement increases acquisition opportunities for experienced operators while placing greater emphasis on operational discipline and local market execution.
- •Repair, maintenance, and home improvement franchises remained highly active this month, reflecting sustained demand driven by aging housing stock and deferred replacement cycles. Investors continue prioritizing recurring service models with scalable operating structures and lower overhead relative to brick-and-mortar retail.
- •Quick-service and fast-casual brands continue demonstrating resilience, supported by drive-thru efficiency, simplified menus, and disciplined cost management. As capital remains selective, investors are increasingly focused on established brands with consistent unit-level economics and operational systems that support multi-unit expansion.
New Franchise Additions
This month we welcomed 1 new franchise brands across diverse industries.
Lodging & Leisure
1 new brandAuto & Travel:
- Food & Beverage
Franchise Updates Summary
This month we processed 2 franchise updates across multiple sectors.
we added 19 new franchise brands across Food & Beverage
1 updateLodging & Leisure:
- This month
288 franchisee records
1 updatestrengthening system-level visibility and expanding contact coverage across multiple industries.:
- We also uploaded 50 Franchise Disclosure Documents and refreshed 25
Franchise Spotlight: Culver's
Culver's is a fast-casual restaurant franchise best known for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, built around quality ingredients, operational consistency, and strong community positioning.
Company Profile
- Founded
- United States
- Franchise Launched
- 1984
- Concept
- A fast-casual restaurant franchise best known for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, built around quality ingredients, operational consistency, and strong community positioning.
- Service Model
- Food & Beverage / Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
What They Do:
Culver's operates a fast-casual restaurant concept centered around freshly prepared ButterBurgers and frozen custard. The brand focuses on quality ingredients, hospitality-driven service, and consistent operational standards across its locations.
Why we like it:
Food & Beverage remains one of the most competitive yet resilient franchise categories, particularly for brands that combine differentiated positioning with disciplined execution. Culver’s has established itself as a premium quick-service concept emphasizing fresh, made-to-order offerings and a hospitality-driven customer experience.
With decades of operating history and a substantial national footprint, Culver’s represents a mature franchise platform supported by standardized systems, structured training programs, and disciplined site selection criteria. Its operational model balances drive-thru efficiency with dine-in experience, reinforcing throughput while maintaining brand consistency.
From an investment standpoint, Culver’s locations typically require a significant capital commitment reflecting real estate, build-out, equipment, and staffing infrastructure. In return, franchisees operate within a high-volume system designed to support stable, repeat customer demand and scalable multi-unit growth.
Success within the Culver’s system is closely tied to site selection, traffic patterns, staffing execution, and adherence to operational standards. The brand is generally best suited for experienced operators and multi-unit investors seeking long-term participation in an established quick-service franchise platform.
Behind the numbers:
- •Established Brand with Strong National Footprint: Culver's has built a strong reputation in the fast-casual restaurant segment through decades of consistent operations and brand development. Its growing national presence and loyal customer base demonstrate sustained franchisee demand and long-term system stability.
- •Differentiated Fast-Casual Concept: The brand stands out in the competitive food & beverage sector with its focus on ButterBurgers, frozen custard, and made-to-order menu items. This differentiated positioning supports premium pricing, strong repeat customer behavior, and consistent unit-level performance.
- •Operational Model Built for Multi-Unit Growth: Culver's franchise system emphasizes structured training programs, disciplined site selection, and standardized operating procedures. These systems support scalable growth and make the brand particularly attractive for experienced operators seeking long-term multi-unit expansion.
Performance Metrics
Unit Development
End of 2024
- Total Units:
- 965
- Company-Owned:
- 9
- Franchised:
- 956
Revenue Performance
- Avg. Annual Sales:
- $3,790,055
- Top Quartile:
- $4,000,000+ (Est.)
Investment Requirements
- Total Investment Range:
- $2,642,500 - $8,573,000
- Initial Franchise Fee:
- $55,000
Ongoing Fees
- Royalties:
- 4% service fee on gross sales
- Marketing Fund:
- 2.5% advertising fee + possible regional co-op contribution
Support Structure
Franchisees receive extensive operational support including a 16-week franchisee training program, operations manuals, site selection guidance, approved supplier networks, and ongoing field support. The system also provides national marketing initiatives, technology infrastructure including POS systems, and cooperative advertising programs to support local and regional growth.
