The Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) salutes Culver's Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers as they celebrate 20 remarkable years as leading Wisconsin restaurant operators.

"The Culvers have contributed generously of their time, talent and treasure for many years," says Ed Lump, WRA President and CEO. "They've never been too big or too busy to get involved and make a difference, not just for their business, but for our entire industry."

Both Craig and Lea Culver have been active at both the chapter and state level of the association.

The Culvers were honored as the "Outstanding Restaurateurs of the Year" in 1993 by the WRA South Central Chapter. At that time they owned nine stores with plans underway for seven more. There are now 250 Culver's restaurants operating in the United States.

Craig Culver has served as South Central Chapter President and on the WRA's state-level Board of Directors, where he chaired the Legislative Committee and over the years contributed service to many other committees.

Lea Culver served as Chairwoman of the WRA Education Foundation from 2002 to 2004, and was an active member of the Foundation's Programs and Scholarship Committees.

Together, Craig and Lea co-chaired the association's 2003 trade show, Host Midwest Expo, leading the event through a number of innovative changes to great success. The Culvers were recognized as outstanding restaurant operators at the 2000 WRA Education Foundation Salute to Excellence event. Culver Franchising System, Inc. was selected as one of the WRA's state finalists for the NRA's 2000 Restaurant Neighbor Award for their Safety Patrol Partnership program.

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