Induction Video
(Written: July 2018)
An alumnus of UW-Oshkosh, Culver is the co-founder and chairman of the board of one the most recognized and fastest-growing restaurant franchises in the nation. What started out in 1984 as a family run restaurant featuring ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard in Sauk City, Wisconsin, now consists of over 600 Culver’s restaurants in 24 states.
Over the past 20 years, Craig Culver and Culver’s Franchising System have been significant contributors to the success of the WIAC to include sponsorships of the WIAC vs. NSIC Border Battle event, the WIAC Scholar-Athlete Recognition Program, the WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight and Culver’s is currently the presenting sponsor of all WIAC championships and postseason events. Craig Culver also was a significant supporter and contributor to the success of the WIAC Centennial Celebration.
In 2012, Craig Culver and Lea Culver were named restaurateurs of the year by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. In 2014, Craig Culver received the “Seize the Day” award at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference and Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship from UW-Oshkosh. Craig was inducted into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2016.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UW-Oshkosh and resides in Sauk City, Wis.