It seems like fast food places are stacking up in Bartow almost as fast as a grill cook can tower three patties onto a triple butter burger.
Bartow is set to get its first Culver’s restaurant by late summer as groundbreaking for the fast-food chain’s first location in the county seat was held Feb. 17 at 1395 N. Holland Parkway.
The restaurant is known for offering signature Butterburgers, frozen custard and cheese curds.
Culver’s mouthwatering menu includes various burger options but also chicken, fish and salads to pair with fries, onion rings and those cheese curds, breaded, deep-fried and oozing with unaged white and cheddar cheeses sourced from a Stanley, Wisconsin, dairy.
Culver’s owner proved his mettle during mentorship in Winter Haven
The Bartow location is not just a first for the city, it’s a first for the franchise owner.
“I got involved with Culver’s back in 2020 when I joined the Culver’s of Winter Haven team,” owner-operator David Corriveau said. “I’ve been here since then working my way up to the general manager role and now a mentee, which gives me the opportunity to own and operate my own Culver’s.”
The Bartow Culver’s will be 4,500 square feet and contain 104 indoor seats along an additional 24 pergola-covered seats, he said. The drive-thru will have a side-by-side, double order point.
Corriveau said closer to the opening date he will have more details about specials and giveaways for the grand opening.
Bartow restaurants strengthen local economy
The Bartow Economic Development Council, said in a post on Facebook, “Projects like this keep Bartow working, earning, and moving forward — that’s what strengthens our economy.”
Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer credited the EDC for helping to shepherd the project through the approval process because there were Walmart and Tampa Electric easements on the lot and a Swiftmud permit needed.
According to Trip Advisor, the Culver’s will join numerous fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Zaxby’s, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, Arby’s and Sonic.
How many Culver’s are there in Polk County?
This will be Polk County’s eighth Culver’s. There are currently two open in Lakeland and one each in Highland City, Winter Haven, Haines City, Davenport and Fort Meade. There are two others just beyond the county lines in Plant City and Kissimmee, off US 192 in the Four Corners area.
Culver’s has rapidly expanded its presence in Florida, with more than 100 locations operating in the state as of 2023.
Culver’s was founded in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin, by Craig Culver along with his wife, Lea, and his parents, George and Ruth Culver, its website said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Culver’s will open its 8th Polk location this summer. Here’s where
Reporting by Paul Nutcher, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
