Sorry, In-N-Out, this Wisconsin-based fast food chain has you beat! According to a recent Restaurant Business report, Culver's is now America's favorite burger chain, beating out the California chain. Known for their fresh frozen custard (notably known as concrete mixers), ButterBurgers, and fried cheese curds, the Midwest favorite beat out In-N-Out in service and hospitality, ambiance, food and convenience.
Here's why Culver's is such a burger fan favorite.
Culver's history
The chain started back in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin, by Craig and Lea Culver and Craig's parents, George and Ruth. The family began serving only frozen custard but slowly added additional menu items like their ButterBurgers, which feature a buttered burger bun.
Craig Culver makes the ButterBurgers the same way his mom made her homemade burgers, using fresh beef, seared to perfection and served on a lightly buttered toasted bun.
Today there are over 600 locations across the United States, mostly in the Midwest and Southeast parts of the country. The fast-food restaurant is open to new franchisees if you're interested in being part of the team.
The Flavor of the day
To show off their amazing frozen custard flavors (all 80+ of them), Culver's restaurants feature a "flavor of the day" for customers to enjoy. You might find Double Strawberry or Caramel Chocolate Pecan or Toffee Pecan listed as one of the flavors of the day for your local Culver's.
To figure out what your flavor is today, simply enter your zip code on Culvers.com to find the nearest location, and see their daily flavor. You can even enable it on your Alexa (by clicking the link), and ask, "Alexa, ask Culver's: what is the Flavor of the Day?"
If burgers and ice cream isn't your jam, Culver's restaurants also feature chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, onion rings, and crinkle-cut fries.
It's all about the Culver's hospitality
While Culver's did beat out In-N-Out for the burger spot, it wasn't enough to earn them the spot of America's favorite quick-service chain; that place was taken by none other than Chick-fil-A. With a rating score of 62.9%, the chicken chain surged forward due to its service and hospitality.
What's interesting to note is that both chains make a point of showing hospitality to their customers, in addition to serving them good food. Culver's says their commitment to service goes back to Ruth Culver, who made everyone who visited the restaurant feel welcome.
This post was originally published on February 14, 2019.
