3rd Lakeland-area Culver's breaks ground in Christina - before the 2nd one even opens

Paul Nutcher, The Ledger
·2 min read
A third Lakeland-area Culver's will soon be built at Florida Avenue and Christina Boulevard next to the RaceTrac gas station.
A third Lakeland-area Culver's will soon be built at Florida Avenue and Christina Boulevard next to the RaceTrac gas station.

A third Lakeland area Culver's restaurant has recently broken ground as the Wisconsin-based chain known for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard is counting down the days until the doors open on its second Lakeland location.

The third South Lakeland restaurant is at 6400 S. Florida Ave. and Christina Boulevard next to the RaceTrac gas station.

The 4,874-square-foot, single-story quick-serve restaurant will have a drive-thru, shed and outdoor seating area, as shown in the plans by Oliveri Architects of Palm Harbor.

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Property records show the formerly vacant land was valued at $564,850 and owned by Lakeland-based Murray Financial Group II LTD and Colonial Industrials Inc.

The rear of the 11.3-acre property contains wetlands, which abut the lakefront Christina housing development. The contractor is Campbell Construction of Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

The masonry building will an interior that can hold 158 people, including seating for 104 customers, standing room for 28 people and kitchen area that can accommodate 26 people, plans show. Outside, there will be seating for 32.

New Culver's opening soon in Highland City Fl Monday January 9,2023.Ernst Peters/The Ledger
New Culver's opening soon in Highland City Fl Monday January 9,2023.Ernst Peters/The Ledger

Much farther along in the construction process is the second area Culver’s in Highland City. The new restaurant is on the southeast corner of U.S. 98 and Clubhouse Road, near the McDonald's.

Holly Swan, the franchisee, said the restaurant opens Monday at 10 a.m. On Monday, a countdown on the restaurant's sign said "7 days till Butterburgers."

Swan said the restaurant has hired 100 people, who have been going through training for the past week. She said the first 100 customers each day of the first week will receive coupons for a free value basket, free butterburgers, or free custard.

Meanwhile, the North Lakeland Culver’s opened in the spring of 2022 at 5246 U.S. 98 N, between Sam’s Club and Walmart. That 4,600-square-foot restaurant is operated by franchisee Nate Devine.

Founded in 1984 by the Culver family in Sauk City, Wisconsin, there are now more than 740 Culver’s locations across the United States.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Third Lakeland-are Culver's breaks ground in Christina