S & L Companies
During our interview with the two coowners , we notice a sign sitting behind Chad that reads : ‘ Why the hell not ?’ This fearless mentality is one of the pillars of the business , and the reason why S & L Companies , named after Jeff and Chad , has become a successful restaurant franchise group . In 1994 , the business opened its first Culver ’ s restaurant , specializing in gourmet burgers and milkshakes . “ Chad and I actually grew up in Reedsburg , Wisconsin , where the second Culver ’ s was built ,” explains Jeff . “ We worked there during high school , and then we talked our parents into buying a franchise . We helped our parents and their business partners until 2010 , when we then bought the business ourselves .”
Continued growth
Since the buyout , Chad and Jeff have been the two primary owners . They have expanded the business into a network of 86 restaurants , with a further 20 in the works across five states , namely Wisconsin , Michigan , Indiana , Florida , and soon in Alabama .
The relationship between S & L Companies and Culver ’ s is a unique and closely-knit one . Jeff and Chad are determined to ensure each guest who visits any of their restaurants leaves happy . Their mission is buttressed by the business ’ founding principles of hospitality , quality , freshness and service to the community . This then speaks to the company ’ s culture . While Jeff and Chad may be considered young for their age , their youthfulness brings a charismatic energy to the rest of the company . “ Jeff and I always say we are brothers first , and business partners second . This trickles down to our office team and our partners . We are one big family , and we try to keep it that way ,” Chad highlights .
Supporting Chad ’ s explanation , Jeff emphasizes that Culver ’ s is all about the people , and even during the organization ’ s most difficult times , the leadership team works relentlessly to put the interests of its staff first . “ When Covid-19 struck , our restaurants dropped 40 percent in sales immediately . The first challenge was to figure out a way to increase the drive-thru revenue to keep the business going . We improved our business significantly because we saved the jobs we had , and were able to grow our employment opportunities . We were so successful that we set up a second drivethru lane outside our front door , and within a few weeks we went above 20 percent , and that is how we finished the year ,” says Jeff .
Now , the two entrepreneurs look to 2023 with fresh optimism and renewed hope . They are excited by the prospects of growth and business expansions . “ We are entering northern Alabama , which is possibly one of our most exciting ventures currently on the cards . We are hoping to build six restaurants over the next year and a half ,” Jeff expresses .
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