Culver’s is the American burger chain known for the ButterBurger, whose bun is lightly buttered and grilled.
The ButterBurger is the signature hamburger associated with Culver’s. The name refers primarily to the preparation of the bun, which is buttered and toasted, rather than to butter being mixed into the beef patty. Culver’s describes its beef patties as fresh, never frozen, and cooked to order.
Culver’s was founded by Craig and Lea Culver and their son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Karyn, in Sauk City, Wisconsin. The first restaurant opened in 1984. The chain’s menu also became widely known for frozen custard and crinkle-cut fries.
The ButterBurger is sometimes confused with the general “butter burger” style found in Wisconsin restaurants. That broader term can describe burgers prepared with butter in different ways. Culver’s capitalized “ButterBurger” is specifically the chain’s branded signature sandwich.