Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (2024)

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.

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (1)

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."

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (2)

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.

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (3)

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.

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (4)

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.”

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (5)

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.”

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (6)

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.

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.

Culver's brings ButterBurgers, curds and custard to DeLand. 10 things to know (2024)

FAQs

Why is Culver's called Butterburger? ›

We call our ButterBurgers “ButterBurgers,” not because they've been cooked, marinated, dunked, fried or drizzled with butter but because we lightly butter the crown of the bun for an extra touch of goodness. (Where else would you expect such a delicious idea than from the dairy state?)

When did Culvers come to Florida? ›

Culver's also opened in South Carolina in 2012; Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee in 2014; and North Carolina in 2015.

What is Culver's most famous for? ›

Culver's is a fast-food restaurant that started in Wisconsin and has since expanded to 26 states. The chain is known for its ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard. I'd never been before, but my mom loves it — so my husband and I recently tried it out.

Why do Culvers burgers taste so good? ›

Culver's uses fresh, never frozen beef, and the pressing and searing technique locks in the juices and therefore the flavor. Pressing the beef also ensures it is the right thickness to cook evenly on the grill. "That's where that great steak flavor comes from." The beef is seasoned with a salt and pepper mixture.

Why does Culver's call their ice cream custard? ›

And it's different from other frozen desserts. In fact, the distinction is even written into law. Custard is made from a combination of milk, cream and pasteurized egg yolks, and in order to be true custard, it has to be at least 1.4 percent egg. Anything less than that, and it's just ice cream.

Who owns Culver's? ›

The 965-unit chain, based out of Prairie du Sac, Wisc., has been family-owned since the first store opened in 1984. with their son and his wife, Craig and Lea. In 2017, Culver's sold a minority interest to Atlanta-based private equity group Roark Capital, though the family still retains the majority share.

What is the Culvers motto? ›

Culver's motto is, “Welcome to Delicious,” and our experience was that it is. The franchise founded in Wisconsin, features ButterBurgers and frozen custard treats as its signature dishes.

What is Culvers named after? ›

Culver's co-founders Craig and Lea Culver, and Craig's parents George and Ruth Culver built their restaurant business by following this principle. But there is a story to tell on how this all came to be, one that starts on the banks of the Wisconsin River in a southern Wisconsin town called Sauk City.

Where is the oldest culvers? ›

To Fan Favorite Far and Wide

In 1984, Craig and Lea Culver, along with Craig's parents George and Ruth, opened the very first Culver's in the family's beloved hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin, and began serving ButterBurgers® and Frozen Custard.

What is the Culver's scandal? ›

MINNEAPOLIS – R & G Endeavors, Inc., a fast-food franchisee doing business as Culver's Restaurants of Cottage Grove, violated federal law when it subjected employees to a hostile work environment based on race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in ...

Who is Culver's biggest competitor? ›

Culver's main competitors are Chipotle Mexican Grill, Papa Murphy's, and Darden Restaurants. Competitor Summary. See how Culver's compares to its main competitors: McDonald's has the most employees (210,000).

What kind of meat do Culver's use? ›

Our ButterBurgers® are made with our special blend of three cuts of beef: sirloin, chuck and plate. All prized cuts, all well-marbled for richness and flavor with no fillers to get in the way. When it comes to beef, you want fresh beef. Frozen beef loses moisture and when you lose moisture, you lose flavor.

What is the most unhealthy thing at Culvers? ›

Worst: The Culvers Bacon Deluxe

With a whopping 57 grams of total fat and 22 grams of saturated fat in this order, you will meet your daily recommended allowance for calories from fat and saturated fats in your diet. This burger also packs 1,205 milligrams of sodium and just 1 measly gram of fiber.

What oil do culvers use? ›

Canola Oil (fryer oil) - Canola Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid added to preserve freshness and Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an anti-foaming agent.

Why are there no culvers in California? ›

Culver's is currently available in 26 states, but not California. The closest location to San Francisco is about 580 miles, or 9 hours away, in Bullhead City, AZ. According to the Culver's website, California is listed as a “Future Market” currently not available for franchising.

What is the difference between a ButterBurger and a regular burger? ›

A butter burger is a hamburger topped with butter, either directly on the patty, or on the bun.

What are Culvers workers called? ›

Crew Member - Front of House

Whether it's greeting guests at the door, taking orders behind the counter or delivering outstanding service throughout our restaurants, these are the people who bring our hometown hospitality to life each and every day.

Who owns the most Culver's franchises? ›

“And keep reminding them, and people will get there. And they will be so happy when they do.” Chad Stevenson, left, and Jeff Liegel of S&L Companies are the largest Culver's franchisees with nearly 100 restaurants in five states and 50 owner-operators.

Where is the oldest Culver's? ›

In 1984, Craig and Lea Culver, along with Craig's parents George and Ruth, opened the very first Culver's in the family's beloved hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin, and began serving ButterBurgers® and Frozen Custard.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 6014

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.