Beloved Wisconsin Chain Restaurant Opens 1,000th Location

40 years after opening their first restaurant in Sauk City, WI, a beloved fast food chain is celebrating a special grand opening: their 1,000th restaurant in a city that frankly isn’t too far away from home.

The restaurant is Culver’s, and has been a beloved Midwestern staple for decades. In December 2024, the restaurant opened its 1,000th nationwide. Known for their signature ButterBurgers and frozen custard, among several other menu items, Culver’s exists in 26 states at present.

Since its founding in 1984, Culver’s has seen its brand blossom from a small-town Wisconsin favorite to food enjoyed by millions all around the country. In lieu of its 1,000th store opening in New Haven, IN, Culver’s co-founder Craig Culver told QRS Magazine how important remaining true to his values has been since the company’s meteoric rise:

My dad always told me: It’s not important how many restaurants you have, what’s important is how many good restaurants you have. Our mission in opening our 1,000th restaurant is the same as it was when we started in 1984. We’re going to serve great food with a genuine smile, a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you’ that come from our heart. That’s the way it will always be. – Culver’s co-founder Craig Culver, per QRS Magazine

Culver’s operated locally for six years before franchising in 1990. Their restaurant in Baraboo, WI was the first franchised location. The Culver family remains adamant that anyone who chooses to franchise a location must serve as owner-operator and actively work in the restaurant while being a part of the community they are serving.

Culver’s CEO Rick Silva congratulated franchisees all across the company for them being able to open location #1,000:

Culver’s has always been about more than just great food. Our growth is driven by our commitment to our guests and team members. Reaching 1,000 restaurants is a proud moment for us, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our hardworking franchisees, loyal guests and dedicated team members in each of those 1,000 communities. – Culver’s CEO Rick Silva, per QRS Magazine 

In 2024, Culver’s struck a deal with NFL great J. J. Watt, also a Wisconsin native, for their first celebrity-meal. Watt was born and raised in Pewaukee, WI, and admitted that growing up, he ate at the restaurant a lot with his friends and family. His meal was fit for a king, or more accurately, an NFL defensive linemen:

• A Culver’s Deluxe
• Cheese curds
• Signature Culver’s root beer
• A turtle sundae (made with chocolate custard)

Furthermore, Culver’s is one of the sponsors of a brand new movie called Green and Gold, which revolves around a Wisconsin dairy farmer’s actions to save his family farm. Culver’s food can be seen in the film’s trailer. Green and Gold is set to be released in theaters on January 31st, 2025.

Culver’s has always prioritized giving back to its customers. Most notably, they have their “Thank You Farmers Project,” which invests in agricultural education, provides hunger relief to communities, and supports climate-smart agricultural efforts. More than $5 million has been donated to the project. There’s also the “Culver’s Give Local” program, which supports schools and community organizations.

Read more about Culver’s opening their 1,000th location in New Haven, IN on QRS Magazine’s website.