2025 Acceleration Breakfast
A Recipe for Success: From Kitchen to Corporation
Progress Lakeshore’s Acceleration Breakfast is an exclusive event for our valued investors—a morning designed to inspire, connect, and engage. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while networking with fellow business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members from Manitowoc County.
This year, we’re excited to welcome Craig Culver, Co-Founder of Culver’s, as our keynote speaker. Craig will share his journey from a small-town family restaurant to building a nationally recognized brand, offering insights on leadership, business growth, and the power of hospitality.
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 | 7:30 – 9:00 AM
Location: Franciscan Center for Music Education and Performance | 6751 Calumet Ave, Manitowoc, WI 54220
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Meet Our Guest Speaker - Craig C. Culver
Culver's Co-Founder & Chairman of the board
Craig’s passion for the business started over 50 years ago when his parents bought their first restaurant. Modeling his mom and dad’s command of the kitchen and gracious, midwestern hospitality, Craig grew up serving guests and learning firsthand about delicious, cooked-to-order food.
In 1984 came an idea for a restaurant no one could resist. Craig and his family opened the very first Culver’s featuring ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard in their hometown of Sauk City, Wisconsin.
Then, in 1987, the franchising arm, Culver Franchising System, LLC, was established. Shaped after the Culver family’s team approach around hospitality and great food, the first successful franchise was opened in Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1990.
As much as the business is about food, Craig will tell anyone who asks that Culver’s is actually a “people place.” This business philosophy fuels the way Craig coaches team members in the restaurant and beyond to always do what’s right for guests, ensuring that they leave the restaurant happy every single time.
There are now over 970 Culver’s franchises across 26 states and over 45,000 team members. Craig retired as CEO in 2015 but is still involved in the business as board chairman and continues to be the face and champion of the brand.