Culver’s holds groundbreaking ceremony to introduce itself to the community
By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – Culver’s held its ceremonial groundbreaking at its site at the old Red Lamp Mobile Home Park, now known as Thatcher Commercial Plaza, at 3343 W. Main St. in Thatcher on Tuesday, introducing co-owners Kevin and Sandy Adams and Stacy Walker and his son Nick Walker, who will also be running the Thatcher location as the general manager.
After a brief introduction, those involved in the new Culver’s and their children ceremoniously tossed the first pile of dirt, with the official groundbreaking set for Monday. Construction is expected to take 168 days.
Kevin and Sandy Adams started Culver’s in Sierra Vista in 2015 and are currently invested in six locations (Thatcher will be number 7) and have several more restaurants in the pipeline, including a second Sierra Vista location and restaurants in Tucson, Benson, Las Vegas, and more.
The Thatcher Culver’s will take up the second half of the Highway frontage of the Thatcher Commercial Plaza, with the other half utilized by the new American Southwest Credit Union, which is currently finishing up construction. The back half of the lot will be utilized by Palmer & Johnson Family Dental, which will also build multiple shell buildings for additional businesses to occupy, according to Thatcher Town Manager Heath Brown.
Nick has been with Culver’s for nine years and said owning and running one of the restaurants was “a lifelong dream come true. I’m really looking forward to it. This community already seems so supportive and friendly, and I feel like Culver’s here will thrive.”
Culver’s, the beloved Midwestern chain famous for its signature ButterBurgers, fresh-frozen custard, and commitment to genuine hospitality, is expanding its presence into eastern Arizona. Originating as a family-owned restaurant in Wisconsin, the chain has grown into a national favorite by emphasizing quality ingredients, made-to-order comfort food, and strong community ties. Menu highlights include not only the iconic ButterBurgers but also chicken sandwiches, seafood options, pretzel bites, soups, salads, and creamy custard treats.
The Thatcher Culver’s will be a 4,400-square-foot building with a covered patio featuring fans, recessed lighting, and heating for winter use.
Thatcher Mayor Jenny Howard welcomed the new business and echoed the family sentiment.
“This project doesn’t mean just turning dirt,” she told the audience. “It means developing relationships. It means Thatcher’s got a Culver’s! It means community development, but it really means we’re gonna have some butter burgers and frozen custard in 168 days! So, we’ll be back here very soon.”
“When an experienced business decides to move to Thatcher to invest in Thatcher, they have the same vision we do. It’s a vision of a very vibrant community with a very, very bright future.”
Campbell Construction JC Inc. is building the restaurant, which is expected to open by the end of August.
“Culver’s as a brand is phenomenal at how it reaches out to the community, how it gets involved and just becomes entrenched and a part of who you are and who Thatcher is and the blessing that this business itself will be to the community,” Jay Campbell said.
Out of the roughly 1,080 Culver’s restaurants, some owned by Kevin and Sandy Adams have consistently been recognized as one of the top 5 restaurants company-wide, and the Sierra Vista location has won the best overall restaurant award twice.
Stacy Walker said the Culver’s family is about more than just selling fresh, never-frozen hamburgers and other delectable treats; it is also a communal force in the area.
“Yes, we serve butter burgers and custard, but at the same time we’re all about community, hospitality, taking care of our guests, taking care of our team (and) making sure everybody feels like a family,” Stacy Walker said. “I grew up in a small family where we always gathered around the table and broke bread, and that’s where we shared ourday’ss experiences – things we went through. And I have that in my heart where people gather around the table, and as you’re eating and sharing that meal together, there’s just something about it that’s very special and near and dear to me. And I feel like Culver’s brings that atmosphere and presents that environment for families to meet together, break bread, and share their life stories and experiences.”
