PRAIRIE du SAC, Wis. — Responding to the rising cost of construction and a desire to expand into urban areas, Culver's has designed and is building a more compact 98-seat building option. Internally known as the Metro-98, the design's first prototype is currently under construction.
If built to prototype, a news release said the Metro-98 will save an average of $100,000 to $150,000 in building costs and land compared to Culver's traditional 120-seat design. Culver's traditional 120-seat design requires approximately 50,000 square feet for construction; the Metro-98 requires around 40,000 square feet, less with shared parking.
The model's first prototype is already under construction in Fort Dodge, Iowa, with an opening date scheduled for late spring. West Des Moines, Iowa, and Buda, Texas, are all expected to build the Metro-98 by the end of 2006.
"Three factors of the industry prompted the Metro-98's development," said Craig Culver, Culver's co-founder. "Construction costs, energy costs and our desire to expand beyond the suburbs into more urban centers where space is a premium."
With the availability of the Metro-98, Culver's plans to open locations in urban areas such as Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, Ky, and St. Louis.
