The Secret to This Wisconsin Family’s Incredible Success?
The story of Culver’s, from a small-town family restaurant to a nationwide favorite, where ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard reign supreme! đđŠđ€€ #Culvers #ButterBurgers #FrozenCustard
Sauk City, Wisconsin – In this small town located between Wisconsin Dells and Madison, one local family with a passion for good food and warm hospitality created a restaurant that would become a beloved national chain. Craig Culver, along with his parents George and Ruth, and his wife Lea, opened the first Culver’s in 1984, serving up their now-famous ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard.
The Culver family’s journey into the restaurant business began long before that, with Craig’s parents running several supper clubs in Wisconsin. Craig himself grew up in this world of food and hospitality, eventually bringing his own ideas to the table. After some time in the fast-food industry and a few ventures of his own, Craig returned to his roots, taking over the same A&W property his parents once owned.
The idea for the ButterBurger came from Craig’s memories of his mom toasting buns with butter, and it became the cornerstone of their menu. Alongside the delicious burgers, Craig introduced Frozen Custard, a treat he had fallen in love with during his college days. This combination of mouthwatering burgers and creamy custard quickly won the hearts of their customers.
Culver’s focus on quality and hospitality paid off, and the business began to grow. They started franchising in 1990, and today, there are over 930 Culver’s restaurants across 26 states. The company remains committed to its roots, supporting local farms and communities, and treating every guest with the warmth and care that Ruth Culver was known for.
In 1997, Culver’s introduced their famous Wisconsin Cheese Curds, a nod to their home state’s dairy heritage. These little golden delights became so popular that they even inspired the creation of National Cheese Curd Day on October 15th.
Additionally, the Culver family’s strong ties to Midwestern supper clubs inspired their Fish Fry tradition. Emulating the communal spirit of a good fish fry, Culver’s continues to hand-batter each filet and cook it to order, ensuring that this tradition remains a beloved part of their menu.
From its humble beginnings in a small Wisconsin town to its status as the largest frozen custard chain in the US, Culver’s is a true American success story. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the people and the memories made at every Culver’s restaurant.
Have you ever eating at Culver’s? Let us know what your faves are in the comments!
