SOUTH BEND, Ind.—Kim Struzynski said her son, Austin, is a big reason why she and her husband decided to start opening Culver’s locations across multiple states.

“It was largely because of him. We lived in Wisconsin where they’re everywhere and I stopped to feed him one day on Halloween, we stopped at a Culver’s, and the kid got hooked so we were at Culver’s constantly. I went home and told my husband, hey we need to check this place out,” Struzynski said.

The family then sold their home in Wisconsin and began their journey of opening up Culver’s locations throughout the Midwest.

In 2004, the Struzynskis' opened up a Culver’s in Elkhart but by 2010, they’d sold it and were opening another location in Stevensville. The pair opened two more locations, this time in Illinois, in Harwood Heights and Morton Grove.

“The kid has been with Culver’s ever since, he’s been to all the conventions and classes. He’s kind of gone through it with us since he was 4 years old,” Struzynski said.

Austin is now a manager at the Struzynskis' newest Culver’s, which held its grand opening on January 6 at 52733 S.R. 933.

Struzynski’s husband, Tony, who co-owns the franchises with her, said that they felt like it was just the right time to come to South Bend.

The new location offering everything from the popular butterburger to fresh frozen custard sits right near both Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame. Struzynski said that while currently, the restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., she plans to adjust the hours when the schools have events like concerts and football games.

Over 65 jobs were created thanks to the new location, with between 20 and 25 team members working at any given time.

“We like to treat them like they’re guests in our own home and I think that’s what makes us stand out from a lot of people,” Struzynski said.

As for what's next for the Struzynskis', Tony said that more Culver's locations are on the horizon.

"There's more to come," Struzynski said.