Wisconsin-based Culver’s hopes to open at the end of May

Wisconsin-based Culver’s hopes to open at the end of May

BY CHRIS BONANNO

A new Culver's restaurant is targeted to open at 6451 Lake Andrew Drive by the end of May, according to owner Lisa Teays Walmuller.

Photo by Chris Bonanno

Viera will soon be home to a new Culver’s restaurant.

The franchise’s facility, according to Paul Pitas, the director of public relations and communications with Culver’s, will be located at 6451 Lake Andrew Drive near the intersection with Judge Fran Jamieson Way.

The Wisconsin-based eatery currently is under construction with a tentative date set for the restaurant to open at the “end of May,” according to owner Lisa Teays Walmuller. It will encompass “almost 4,500 square feet,” she added. “For people that aren’t familiar with Culver’s, we’re famous for our butterburgers and our fresh custard that’s made in the restaurant, fresh every two hours. Beyond that, we have a very extensive menu,” Walmuller said. “Your food is made fresh for you when you order it. Nothing is put on the grill ’til you order it. Nothing sits under a warmer, and it’s 100 percent beef that’s fresh, never frozen.”

Walmuller also referred to Culver’s as an “upscale fast food” restaurant where food is brought out to customers after it’s ordered.

“We’re known for being a very clean establishment, very hospitality driven, customerfriendly and oh by the way, we make fantastic butterburgers,” Walmuller said.

She added that the restaurant’s staff would be comprised of “anywhere from 70 to 80 people,” and that the hiring process for managers began in February.

After spending the past 20 years working in executive-level human resources, Walmuller wanted to change career paths, she said.

“I was looking for something to invest in and kind of make a career change at the same time, just something different. I was kind of looking into some possibilities, and the first thing that came to my mind to invest in was Culver’s. Because I’m from Wisconsin — I grew up in Wisconsin.”

Walmuller said that Viera stood out as she looked for places to build.

“I was looking for somewhere to buy land and I came across Viera and I just fell in love with the town,” said Walmuller, who added that she will be relocating to Viera from Port St. Lucie. “It’s a quaint town, very beautiful.”