1851

Jeff Bonner, the Chief Operating Officer for<a href="https://www.culvers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-culvers-works-with-franchisees-to-improve-operations-2707146" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> Culver&rsquo;s Restaurants</a>, has worked in the restaurant industry for 38 years. He launched his career in the pizza business, transitioned to a role with a Mexican QSR and finally ended up at the family-friendly restaurant known for its delicious ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard,<a href="https://www.culvers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-culvers-works-with-franchisees-to-improve-operations-2707146" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> Culver&rsquo;s</a>.

Since 1999, Bonner has been striving to streamline operations for the brand and looking for owner-operators who embrace hospitality, quality, freshness and service to the community.

&ldquo;Over the years, practicing a commitment to these shared values has led to thriving relationships between Culver&rsquo;s and our owner-operators,&rdquo; commented Bonner. &ldquo;In fact, according to a survey by Franchise Business Review, Culver&rsquo;s is rated number one in franchise satisfaction by more than 4,300 franchises in the United States and Canada.&rdquo;

It all started when founders Craig and Lee Culver, along with Craig&rsquo;s parents George and Ruth, opened their first restaurant in 1984 in their hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin.

&ldquo;Craig and Lee take pride in creating a family-owned experience with a hometown hospitality approach at each location, and I think that&rsquo;s why each of our locations performs well operationally. Each franchise is designed to operate the same and we strive to make each customer&rsquo;s experience friendly each and every time they visit,&rdquo; said Bonner.

Bonner&rsquo;s passion for operations is nothing less of enthusiastic. He speaks about the value in getting each franchisee to understand the importance of operations and how it makes for a successful brand. Culver&rsquo;s hosts a six-day discovery week program to determine if the franchisee is committed to the Culver&rsquo;s system. The brand strives to make each franchisee an owner and operator of their location, meaning that they&rsquo;re heavily involved. After discovery week, each franchisee is also required to go through a detailed training program at a restaurant location for 16 weeks.

&ldquo;We have a rigorous training program, and I personally think the best training is first and foremost inside the restaurant. In order to run a successful location, you need to understand the operations behind the brand. Not to mention, ButterBurger University provides the best training. The piece that I really love though is that each new franchisee must participate and support a team member in opening two franchise locations outside of their own,&rdquo; stated Bonner.

Bonner noted that the brand has also been successful operationally due to their franchise business consultants. Currently, the brand has 32 franchise business consultants in the field and five directors of operations who work hard to visit the different restaurant sites. 

The Wisconsin-based brand certainly doesn&rsquo;t have plans to slow down anytime soon. Bonner notes that there are new menu items in the pipeline and that Culver&rsquo;s is launching four new flavors of the day during the summer months. But the one thing that stays consistent in the operations department is how the brand works off of three letters, &ldquo;TLC&rdquo;. This doesn&rsquo;t mean &ldquo;tender, loving, care,&rdquo; but trust, love and passion for the service business and most importantly commitment to the Culver&rsquo;s brand and community. 

As for the rest of 2018 and 2019, Bonner notes that the brand has even more exciting things in the pipeline. The franchise hopes to open 43 to 45 new restaurants in the next three years.

How Culver’s Works with Franchisees to Improve Operations

1851 Franchise

Jeff Bonner, Chief Operating Officer of Culver’s, demonstrates the value of streamlining operations while instilling the brand’s founding principles.

how-culvers-works-with-franchisees-to-improve-operations

Fresh Coat

Fresh Coat West Greensboro - Fresh Coat Cares - Red Cross

Fresh Coat Cares Partners With the Red Cross to Refresh Community Conference Space

fresh-coat-cares-partners-with-the-red-cross-to-refresh-community-conference-space

Voodoo Brewing Co.

What’s in the 2025 FDD? A Closer Look for Voodoo Brewing Co. Franchise Buyers

whats-in-the-2025-fdd-a-closer-look-for-voodoo-brewing-co-franchise-buyers

United Water Restoration Group

Master Marketer, Community Builder: How Rodney Washington Turned Local Visibility Into Success

Master Marketer, Community Builder: How Rodney Washington Turned Local Visibility Into Franchise Success

master-marketer-community-builder-how-rodney-washington-turned-local-visibility-into-franchise-success

Preservan

How to Read the Preservan 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document

how-to-read-the-preservan-2025-franchise-disclosure-document

Woodhouse Spas

Why Woodhouse Spas Is in a Class of Its Own: Comparing the Franchise Opportunity Across the Wellness Industry

why-woodhouse-spas-is-in-a-class-of-its-own-comparing-the-franchise-opportunity-across-the-wellness-industry

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Ultimate Guide To Selling Franchises — How To Build Webinars

how-franchisors-can-build-effective-webinars-to-reach-prospective-franchisees

The Ultimate Guide To Selling Franchises: How To Budget Properly

how-franchises-can-budget-their-finances-properly

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

How Culver’s Works with Franchisees to Improve Operations

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS