Culver’s nears October opening date in Mount Dora

Photo: Culver's stock photo of a different location

By Jack Morgan / Mount Dora Buzz
Updated 10/3 to reflect delayed opening date.

A popular Midwestern fast-food chain will expand its Florida footprint into North Lake County when it opens its new Mount Dora location in early October.  Loyal customers will no longer face the 20-mile drive to Apopka to experience the old-school restaurant with the nostalgic feel.

Culver’s is a Wisconsin-based chain created to reflect the warmth and friendliness of the founder’s Midwest upbringing. The restaurant first opened in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin, and has expanded to 954 locations across 26 states. Over 100 of those locations are in Florida.  

Affordable prices are a large part of the chain's business model with all menu items costing under eight dollars.  Aside from its classic ButterBurgers, frozen custard, and fried cheese curds that made the chain famous, Culver’s offers a variety of classic fast-food items, including chicken sandwiches, salads, fried seafood, soups and more. 

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Culver's famous ButterBurgers are made with 100% fresh, never-frozen beef and served on a lightly buttered and toasted bun. Culver’s presses its beef patties to hold in juiciness and flavor, according to the company. Patrons with a sweet tooth can enjoy their dessert menu, which includes a frozen custard “Flavor of the Day,” plus over a dozen regularly featured flavors and seasonal options of the creamy treat. 

The new franchise owner, Christian Liebl, is a Mount Dora resident, started working at Culver’s as a 17-year-old, high school student in Wisconsin. Over the years, he slowly worked his way up and had a dream of living in Florida and owning his own Culver’s franchise. 

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Liebel was drawn to Mount Dora by its strong sense of community.  “My hometown Culver’s was a place that supported my school and got involved in supporting its local community. I want this Culver’s to bring that to Mount Dora,” said Liebl.

Culver’s Mount Dora location is expected to open on October 16 and will be located at 18966 U.S. Highway 441, just south of the Key Foods and Walgreens shopping center. The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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