Burger Baron Craig Culver Celebrates Birthday, New Beginning in Darien

The Darien celebrated its remodeling and transition to new management Wednesday with a very special visitor.

Craig Culver, founder of the Culver’s burger chain, attended the ribbon cutting—and celebrated his 61st birthday.

Culver’s, at 541 Plainfield Road, transitioned in March to new management.

The father and son team who own the Downers Grove Culver’s bought the location in partnership with Fernanda Fernandes, previously the general manager of the Downers Grove restaurant.

Bob and Rob Esposito have been in the burger business for about six years, son Rob Esposito said.

Years ago, Rob Esposito said his family, which also includes mom Terri, made it a tradition to visit Culver’s in Wisconsin each summer on the way to their vacation spot in Sturgeon Bay.

So when it came time for Bob Esposito to retire from his first career, bringing a Culver’s to Downers Grove seemed like a wise investment, Rob said.

After finding success in Downers Grove, Rob Esposito said his family was ready last year to expand their franchise to a new location.

As luck would have it, at almost the exact same time, they got a call from Culver’s corporate that the Darien location was coming up for sale. Did the Espositos want to by it, corporate asked.

They did, and they finally closed the deal in March.

Last month, the restaurant closed for four days for a swift top-to-bottom renovation.

“From the front counters to the back wall, the inside was completely gutted,” Rob Esposito said. The new look includes updated furniture, a fresh color scheme and segmented seating areas.

Craig Culver said Wednesday that the key to his chain’s success are the people who work there.

“I’ve got a special group of people here,” he told the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting. “I’m really proud of them. People are what make the difference.”

One of the reasons the Espositos wanted to expand was because of the number of great employees they had at the Downers’ location.

“We had a lot of good people we needed to get into better paying jobs,” Rob Esposito said.

After the ribbon cutting, Culver was presented with a small cake to celebrate his birthday as he, the Espositos and Mayor Kathleen Weaver said a few words.

“Bob has just promised me up and down they’re going to be good community partners,” Weaver said.

“And I mean it,” Bob Esposito said.

Rob Esposito said there are still a few more upcoming renovations that will make the Darien location complete. But for now, the family is reveling in the glow of a new beginning.

“We like working for Culver’s,” Rob said. “It’s a good company, and we believe in what we’re doing. We enjoy what we’re doing.”