WILMINGTON — A fast-food chain known for its ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and shakes and ice cream is making plans to build in the Walmart shopping center on Market Street by next year.
Culver’s is a Wisconsin-based eatery that got its start in the mid-1980s. Today, more than 1,000 restaurants in 26 states; in North Carolina alone, 18 locations exist — in High Point, Burlington, Selma, Sanford, Elkins and others.
The company plans to add 59 more stores this year, countrywide. With a goal to expand into the tri-county region of coastal North Carolina, Culver’s so far seems to have one planned in New Hanover County. Brunswick and Pender counties representatives confirmed nothing has come through their counties yet, though municipalities in these areas may have been contacted otherwise.
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Dimitri Dimitropoulos — who’s with a Culver’s franchise group based out of Milwaukee — signed off on documents submitted to the City of Wilmington for the local restaurant. It included an entitlement letter allowing the buyer of the property (6 VCNC Land Co. LLC) authorization on permits, licenses, and approvals. In it, Vereit Real Estate LP is noted as the seller, though New Hanover County property records indicate Cole KR Wilmington NC LLC purchased 6 Van Campen Blvd. in 2012 for just more than $2 million. However, Vereit, then known as American Realty Capital Properties, acquired Cole Real Estate Investments more than a decade ago.
Culver’s is proposed to go on the 1.51-acre former site of Kirkland’s Homes. According to planning documents, construction is expected in 2027, with a new 4,500 square-foot restaurant to be built, to include a double drive-thru window, patio seating and 95-space parking lot.
The plan includes the removal of seven trees, including an 8-inch and 22-inch Live Oak, as well as multiple 4-inch and a 10-inch magnolia. Some are regulated and one is a heritage tree, meaning proper permits for removal are needed.
A scope for the traffic impact analysis, conducted by Kimley-Horn and Associates and sent to the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, indicates the project will bring in roughly 2,400 vehicles, 55% being drive-thru customers. PM peak hours will total 174, with Saturday peak hours bringing 279 vehicles. The restaurant doesn’t open until 10 a.m. so AM traffic generation is unavailable.
The restaurant’s design, including a stone and wood façade, is being overseen by SNL Designs out of Kentucky.
The project is zoned regional business and accommodates high-intensity commercial, retail, and services for an entire region, not just a single neighborhood. Fast-food restaurants are included.
Culver’s is known for its fresh-never-frozen thinly pattied burgers, made from Midwestern beef, served as singles, doubles and triples; they’re called “ButterBurgers” from the buttered top buns. The restaurant’s ice cream is a custard base and cheese curds consist of bite-sized fried nuggets of Wisconsin cheddar.
In addition to burgers, Culver’s menu also includes chicken tenders, pork tenderloin sandwiches, North Atlantic cod, and salads.
The company came in number 24th for Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurants in the United States in 2026 and brings in roughly $4.6 billion in sales.
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