Culver's restaurant celebrates grand opening on Jackson Road
Culver's signature "Butterburgers" are already a hit with Washtenaw County residents.
Karen Richard, owner of the new Culver's on Jackson Road in Scio Township, said the restaurant — which specializes in burgers and frozen custard shakes — has been "unbelievably busy" since its soft opening on June 4.
The Culver's restaurant on Jackson Road in Scio Township is now open.
Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com
She hosted a grand opening on Tuesday morning, and she estimated 75 to 80 people came out for the celebration.
"It's been going fantastic," Richard said. "Everybody says they're so happy there's a Culver's in Ann Arbor. A lot of people have been to Wisconsin, Minnesota, the store in Jackson; they're just fired up about having this restaurant here in town."
Richard, an Ann Arbor resident who also owns the Culver's in the Jackson area, purchased a portion of the Lowe’s outlot property in Scio Township in December for $700,000. Construction of the building, which includes a drive-through, was on schedule this spring, she said.
The only problem so far, Richard said, has been with people having difficulty locating the restaurant. Customers have to turn into the Lowe's entrance to park at Culver's.
"Scio Township will not allow another curb cut on Jackson Road," she said. "The sign out there is the Lowe's sign. We are working to put a sign out that will have Lowe's at the top and Culver's on it, and we'll also have our 'flavor of the day' out there."
Richard hired 75 mostly part-time employees to work at the restaurant, and she said they are mostly high school and college students from nearby schools.
The Culver’s menu includes the restaurant’s signature “ButterBurgers,” sandwiches, salads and frozen custard.
The first Culver’s restaurant opened in Wisconsin in 1984, and there are now more than 425 locations nationwide. The chain has 34 locations in Michigan.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
bhall
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 2:48 a.m.
If I want a burger, I'd go to a local place like Casey's or Sidetracks. Another chain store, homogenized fat injection? No thanks.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.
I must have lived a sheltered life because this was the first time I had butter on a hamburger. It wasn't bad.
Marian Gregor
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
I stopped last Sunday when it was a blistering 92! The choco frozen custard was delicious but the waffle cone was a waste. It totally lacked flavor. I admit that I have not tried a butter burger. It sounds crazy! I then went home & did my workout (unloaded & stacked 110 bales of hay for the horses).
russellr
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Don't blame the restaurants for Diabetes or for being fat that's your own personal choice to over eat or order to much. I get sick of all the negative comments. If you don't want to eat there don't go, nobody is twisting your arm.
PersonX
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.
It is amazing how people get exited about another chain restaurant with the same old hamburger+ fare. It is so much easier to make your own, somewhat healthier and cheaper burger at home. I, for one, prefer to go out to eat things I cannot easily prepare. Chains cheapen our lives in so many ways! But if you like them, enjoy ....
Jim
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
Maybe someone knows. Is Culver's doing the Krispy Kreme plan? Find an old brand, dust it off, and then try to grow it more? I guess they aren't as old as KK.
Diane
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
So HAPPY to have Culver's close. They have wonderful burgers:)
golfer
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
come on people cut the health stuff out. you can close all the restaurants that serve non healthy stuff. we would not have any left. if you want a burger or what ever. either cook at home or eat out. i for one like the place and will go back a lot. when you eat out they have a menu pick what you want. i am sure families enjoy the time out. so why not go to a restaurant that has good food.
clownfish
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Another interesting field of posts. Many people that have in the past decried the increasing insurance rates, and blaming it on the gubment, are now cheering a new fat and corn syrup outlet. Can't wait to try Culvers. Moderation in all things.
Mac
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
Pure deliciousness.
Jim Pryce
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 11:09 a.m.
Wow, They are Open!!. I was at Lowes yesterday around 12:30 & it didn't appear that it was open yet. I saw alot of work being done by landscapers, but it appeared they weren't open, so I went to the Burger King around the corner.
Carole
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 10:40 a.m.
Liked Culver's. The staff were excellent and very helpful, food was a-okay and affordable. Moderation in eating is what is needed and don't plan on stopping every day for a burger, but on occasion will totally enjoy.
KINGofSKA
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.
The food was pretty good, but for the price I paid I wasn't to satisfied.
KINGofSKA
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 8 p.m.
@Hmm I had a double with fries and a drink, and my girlfriend had chicken fingers with fries and a root beer float. Came to just under $20.
Hmm
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
What did you have from there and how much did it cost you? For me personally, I would consider paying $5-6 for a single burger "too much". For a double burger or a gourmet burger that is a fair price though.
Sieben 7
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
I'm with you King! Prices are more like Steak & Shake or Wendys and after my initial visit will probably only give them one more try as I was not impressed.
Commoncents
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:14 a.m.
I workout 4-5 times a week, but I LOVE me some cheese curds!
81wolverine
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
And the river of cholesterol and fat laden food continues in Washtenaw County. I'd be much happier if another healthy food restaurant opened up.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:57 a.m.
OK, so I checked it out tonight to see what the big deal is. Basically, the food is comparable to Steak & Shake but you have to order it at the counter yourself then go sit down. I can summarize my experience in a single word: grease.
DennisP
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:45 a.m.
Butterburgers washed down with custard shakes followed by turtle sundaes? And we profess shock at the prevalence of obesity in this nation...
a2kammyo
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.
My daughter, a College student works at Culvers. She applied at 10 other places this spring and never got a call for an interview. Culvers hired her during the interview. She loves working there. I did a bit of research prior to her interview and found only positive comments about working there. They are very good to her. I like the food, and I can tell you first hand the Turtle Sundae is fantastic!
48104
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 9:38 p.m.
Definitely helping the state's obesity problem!
bhall
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 : 2:46 a.m.
@Diane, Given the size of some of the people I see waddling around, it's evidence that many people cannot control their appetite. Why do I have to pay for their poor life choices? Can't wait to move to a state where people can put down the fork!
Diane
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
If you can's control your appetite, don't go to fast food places.
Brian
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
I was going to stop in Sunday when I went to Miejer's but could not figure out how to get there!
Diane
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:35 p.m.
It's a no brainer
golfer
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 1:53 p.m.
welcome to scio twp planning and restrictions.
treetowncartel
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
This will creat full time jobs in the health care arena. Cardiologuists and ICU nurses nake some pretty good change.
Elijah Shalis
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
Hello Diabetes!
redwingshero
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
Don't forget the morbid obesity and heart disease from sedintary lifestyle.
brimble
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
What the area could really use is an employer that provides a couple hundred full-time jobs with benefits and profit-sharing. Something that generates some traffic to nearby restaurants and retail. Maybe even a good community partner that would renovate some parks and restore nature areas. Or, Scio could pass, and let Pittsfield have all those Costco jobs.
grimmk
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
@ Mike - Under-employment is just as bad and unemployment in many ways. You can't afford the job you have, but yet you have it. The money you make won't pay for you to get there. And $300 a WEEK?! Where did you get that number. Most likely they'll get that per MONTH and it won't be for years. It's only 20 weeks.
Mike
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
Culvers is a destination which brings people to places like Lowes and other surrounding businesses. I would rather see someone get off of unemployment and take a lower paying job than to languish for years under the benevolent government on $300 per week unemployment. Why do we need more parks? We can't even afford the ones we have.
Ralph
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!!!!! (Wimpy)
Susie Q
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 2:45 a.m.
Yay, Popeye and Wimpy.
Kyle Nathaniel
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
Just what we need -- another corporate fast food chain..
Morris Thorpe
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
I noticed when eating there (for the third time) that pretty much everyone is of high school age. Look at the top-voted comment when the plan was announced. http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/culvers-burger-restaurant-to-open-first-location-in-washtenaw-county/#comments "Jobs in the economy is a good thing" Is it really a good thing? How many of the 75 jobs are full-time? How many of those 75 people are really making a living? Getting insurance? Seems we are trading local treasures (Parthenon, Cafe Japon) for generic franchises under the "but they're bringing jobs!!" banner. And, sadly, the county will boast about adding 75 jobs knowing full well that the community is not better off because of them.. Excuse me while I get my hypocritical self a nice turtle sundae and some onion rings.
leaguebus
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:11 a.m.
My son worked as a busser at the Parthenon and the paid the same as Culvers. A job is a job. Culvers has good food and had nothing to do with the closings of local businesses. The Buhrs just bought Banfields and Culvers will never put them out of business. The Walmart paradigm does not work here.
paniroza03
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
I understand the problem with making it sound like this is getting the economy back on track, but since when are gainfully employed teenagers a problem? I've heard complaints that teenagers don't understand the meaning of work. Well, here is a real opportunity for that to happen. With teen unemployment as high as it is, I think its great they have a place where they CAN find employment.
Mike
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
The unemployment rate among teenagers, especially minorities is off the charts. I'd rather see them working, paying into social security, learning something about how to work and show up on time, and the business paying taxes to support all of my friends who like to create government jobs with the taxpayer dollars............
Linda Peck
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
Morris, well said, but I wonder if the employees of the old, sadly gone places were getting any of those desirable perks, either. I think, too, that most high school students and college students are on their parents' insurance policies. Outside of that, yes, a decent living is not possible with these jobs, but I don't think they ever did make the grade from that perspective, did they? Shame on you for telling me they had turtle sundaes!!!
justwondering
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
I went on Sunday and the food was really, really good. The employees were really friendly, as well. A very positive experience. I'll be back. Too bad about the curb cut and sign issue. I thought I was supposed to access it via Jackson, as well, so had to do a loop-de-loop to come back around and go in the Lowe's entrance.
Wondering
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 3:46 a.m.
loop-de-loop :) also known as a Michigan U'ie
zip the cat
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
I'll bet scio township will allow a curb cut when menards comes a calling
clownfish
Wed, Jun 13, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
Seeing as it is 1/2 mile away and on the other side of the street, probably.