Groundbreaking to held for new Culver’s in Tea

By Jodi Schwan

Culver’s is coming to Tea.

The fast-casual restaurant chain is building at a site in the Bakker Landing development next to the Casey’s off 271st Street.

Franchisee Kyle Henning, who lives in Tea, encouraged his franchise group to consider the community.

“I think a Culver’s in Tea would be great … and now we’re moving forward,” he said. “I am in love with Tea. My kids go to Tea, and I think it’s a great opportunity for us and for the city to grow. I think Tea has earned this, and that’s exciting.”

Henning is part of a six-person team that acquired five Sioux Falls locations from longtime franchisee Nick Magera last year. He began working at Culver’s at age 15.

“We’ve all been with Culver’s 20-plus years with Nick, and he wanted to essentially pass it down to people in the restaurants,” Henning said.

The store will be the same size as other locations and represents the latest design, he said.

Henning said the site near the interstate should help drive additional traffic.

“Being in close proximity to Tea should help as well, and we really want to get involved and help the community as much as possible,” he said, adding that it also represents a strong employment option for area residents.

“We’ll probably add 60 to 70 jobs in the Tea area, and we hire (starting at) 14 years old.”

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance is organizing a groundbreaking for the new location on Nov. 20.

“We’ve been encouraging retailers and restaurants to look at our metro-area communities and are excited that Culver’s shares our enthusiasm for the opportunity that exists in Tea,” said Tyler Tordsen, president and CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. “This is going to bring a welcome new option for residents.”

The goal is to have the new Culver’s open by June.

Reprinted with permission from Sioux Falls Business

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