C. A. BridgesUSA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
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If you're concerned that you just don't have enough butter in your burgers, join the crowds at DeLand's newest fast-food restaurant, Culver's. The new location near the corner of U.S. 17-92 and International Speedway Blvd. opened its doors last week and held its grand opening Monday.
The Wisconsin-basedchain — nationally known for its ButterBurgers, fresh frozen custardand cheese curds — is the Midwest's answer to other regional, cult-favorite chains such as New York's White Castle and Shake Shack, and California'sIn-N-Out Burger. But over the last few years,they've made Florida a priority. In April the company announced they planned to open at least 51 more locations in the U.S. by the end of 2024.
The new location at 10 Summit Oak Place, across from the Northgate Shopping Center, is the first in West Volusia and the fifth in the Volusia-Flagler area, with more restaurants in New Smyrna Beach, Palm Coast, Port Orange and Daytona Beach. It's owned and operated by Steve and Christine Brick who, with business partners Luke and Christine Ryba, also have spots in Apopka, Casselberry, Oviedo and Sanford.
Culver's just celebrated 40 years in the business last month and boasts over 970 family-owned restaurants in 26 states. They've made a big push into Florida, where according to 24wallst.com the Sunshine State has around the same number (about 100) as the company's home state of Wisconsin.
Here's a few things you might not have known about the self-proclaimed "slowest fast-food restaurant in the world."
1. What is a Culver's ButterBurger, anyway?
Wisconsin, one of the leading states in dairy production, traditionally has two types of butter burgers:Butter burgers with generous pats of butter melting right on the beef patties, and butter burgers with a toasted butter bun. Co-founder Craig Culver went with the second one, inspired by his mother's homemade burgers.
The juicy burger is made with a double helping of Midwest-raised beef patties (made with a special blend of three cuts of fresh, never frozen, 100% Midwest beef)topped with options such as shreddedlettuce, mayo, tomatoes, red onions,pickles, and Wisconsin cheese, allsandwiched between lightly toasted, buttered buns. Use two hands. And a lot of napkins.
Culver's ButterBurger was named America's favorite fast-food burger in 2018, according to Restaurant Business.
2. How did Culver's get started?
Craig Culver wanted to start his own place and serve comfort food from his childhood. He knew butter burgers would be popular after seeing the response to them when his family operated a supper club. And he was inspired from another unlikely source: the Milwaukee drive-in that was the model for Arnold's, on the classic TV show "Happy Days."
After working as a manager at various fast food chains, in 1984 Culver and his family turned a former A&W root beer building in Sauk City, Wisconsin into the first Culver's.
It took three years to turn a profit.
“It was like throwing a party and nobody ever came,” Culver says of those early days.“Nobody knew who we were. Itwas slim pickings.”
Now, 40 years later, Culver's isone of the fastest-growing chains in the U.S. with $2.83 billion in sales in 2022, according to RestaurantBusinessOnline. This year, Fodors Travel named them the best fast food restaurant in the United States, calling them "most delicious fast food pit stop in America." USA TODAY's 10Best list of best chain burgers for 2024 included the ButterBurger Cheese.
3.What are Culver's cheese curds?
Think of stubby little mozzarella sticks but with fresh Wisconsin white or yellow cheddar from the same family dairy farm that has been partnered with the chain for nearly 23 years. They serve an average of 41 million orders of them a year.
Culver's started serving these addictive Midwest staples in 1997 and even created National Cheese Curd Day on Oct. 15 to honor them.
4. Why is Culver's slower than other fast-food restaurants?
Culver's was well ahead of the curve when it came to the "fast casual" trend. You order at the counter, take a number to your seat, and wait for your food to be delivered because nothing is cooked before you order it.
“We were a pioneer in that,” Culver told USA Today in 2018. “We wanted to make it to order.I like to call us the slowest fast-food restaurant in the world, andwe’re proud of it.”
5. What is Culver's frozen custard? Is it ice cream?
Sort of. It's thickerand creamier than ice cream because Culver's uses eggs, and they slow-churn small batches throughout the day to keep it fresh. And, of course, they use dairysourced from more than 100 family farms in Wisconsin.
They have several flavors and varieties available on the menu but fans keep an eye open for the "Flavor of the Day," a tradition that began with the very first restaurant. Midnight Toffee, Really Reese's, Chocolate Oreo Volcano, Cappuccino Cookie Crumble, Mint Explosion... Each location has its own different combination of custard and add-ins that changes each day.
Need to find out today's Flavor? You can sign up for a monthly calendar newsletter from your favorite location or use the Culver's app (iOS | Android).
6. Why are there so many Culver's in Florida?
For one thing, Craig Culver's parents were seasonal residents in Lee County.
“Mom and dad would be in Fort Myers Beach, and (wife) Lea and I would spend a few weeks down here,” Culver said.
Southwest Florida is filled with “cheeseheads,” hesaid, which is why the first Florida locations started there.“There are so many Midwesterners here that know our name.”
7. Does Culver's make its own root beer?
Oh, yes. If you dine in, Culvers offers a self-serve fountain with Pepsi products and fresh-brewed iced tea, but their signature drink is their root beer, a particular favorite ofCraig Culver. He created the recipeback in the day with locally sourced ingredients.
It's available as a fountain drink or as part of a float with fresh custard.
8. Does Culver's help employees with school?
Culver's offers scholarships through the non-profit Culver's Foundation. According to their website, they began with a single $500 scholarship to one stafferin 1993. Since then they have awarded $5 million in 3,000 employee scholarships.
9. What else does Culver's serve?
Not in a burger mood? The restaurant also sells chicken, sandwiches including pork tenderloin and beef pot roast, seafood, salads, soupand other comfort food favorites as well as multiple flavors of custard, floats, shakes and malts.
This Culver's wedding proposal is very Wisconsin
A man proposed to his partner in a Packers jersey in front of a Culver's sign. It made for a very Wisconsin wedding proposal and went viral.
Video courtesy of April Masterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
10. Can Culver's get any more Midwestern?
Not from lack of trying. From loading the menu with Midwestern comfort food, to using Wisconsin cattle and dairies, to emphasizing polite and friendly service, Culver's hopes to bring the Midwest to everybody. Even Florida.
As Culver's CEOJoseph Kossputs it: "We've taken this Wisconsin hospitality and bring it to all the markets we come to."
"People find our food comforting and warm, and our hospitality the same way," said Garth Darton, who ownsthe new St. Augustine franchise with his wife Lisa.
When Craig Culver talks to employees at new franchises, he emphasizes the importance of building relationships, which in turn builds a loyal customer base.
"Where does hospitality come from?" Culver asked staff in Fort Myers. "It comes from the heart.
"It's much more than ButterBurgers and frozen custard. It's about people. The ButterBurger tastes much better when there is a smile behind it."
Where is the Culver's in DeLand?
The New DeLand location is at 10 Summit Oak Place, across from the Northgate Shopping Center and near Sonny's BBQ. It's open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
