10 Culver's operations leaders
Nate Keiser, Vice President of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC, heads this list of ten Culver's operations leaders, alongside people who hold senior director of operations and director of operations roles at the company. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Culver's from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
David Wood
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
David Wood has been Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since January 2026 and also lists Franchise Business Consultant there since 2021, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. David Wood was Franchise Owner at Culver Franchising System, LLC from 2019 to 2021 and Operations Manager there from 2016 to 2018.
Greg Backes
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Greg Backes has been Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since January 2026 and also lists Franchise Business Consultant there since 2017, based in St Joseph, Minnesota. Greg Backes was Manager, Franchise Performance at Burger King from 2015 to 2017 and Sales, Profit & Operations Coach there from 2008 to 2014.
Jerry Trent
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Jerry Trent has been Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since January 2024, based in Indianapolis, and was Franchise Business Consultant there from 2020 to 2024. Jerry Trent was District Manager at Qdoba Mexican Restaurant from 2017 to 2020 and Director of Operations at Facilities Management/Peltz Services from 2014 to 2017.
Kelly Hughes
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Kelly Hughes has been Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since March 2024, based in Noblesville, Indiana, and was Franchise Consultant there from 2019 to 2024, and the profile headline gives Regional Director of Operations. Kelly Hughes was Division President at Steak n Shake from 2018 to 2019 and District Manager there from 2011 to 2019.
Kevin Foster
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Kevin Foster has been Senior Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since November 2025, based in Middleville, Michigan, and also lists Director Of Operations there since 2020 and Franchise Business Consultant at Culver Franchising System since 2010. Kevin Foster was Director of Operations at Seedling Development - Fazoli's Franchisee from 1995 to 2010.
Kim Kofler
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations - Southeast Market · Culver's Franchising System, LLC
Kim Kofler has been Director Of Operations - Southeast Market at Culver's Franchising System, LLC since January 2019, based in Prairie du Sac Town, Wisconsin, and also lists Franchise Business Consultant at Culver's Restaurants since 2014. Kim Kofler was Vice President of Operations at Cousins Submarines, Inc. from 2008 to 2013 and VP of Franchise Operations there from 2007 to 2008.
Lisa Bates
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Lisa Bates has been Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since February 2024 and also lists Franchise Business Consultant at Culvers Franchising System LLC since 2019, based in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Lisa Bates was Vice President of Operations at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company - Landrys from 2010 to 2019 and Regional Vice President at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. from 2009 to 2010.
Michael Wieland
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations West Region · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Michael Wieland has been Director of Operations West Region at Culver Franchising System, LLC since May 2023, based in the Kansas City area, and also lists Franchise Business Consultant there since 2019. Michael Wieland was Regional Director Of Operations at Sun Holdings from 2017 to 2019 and Franchise Business Consultant at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen from 2014 to 2017.
Nate Keiser
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Nate Keiser has been Vice President of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since September 2025, based in Prairie du Sac Town, Wisconsin, and was Regional Vice President of Operations there in 2025 and Senior Director of Operations from 2024 to 2025. Nate Keiser also lists Director Of Operations at Culver's Restaurants since 2020 and was Franchise Business Consultant - Central Wisconsin there from 2010 to 2020.
Robyn Lippert
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Operations · Culver Franchising System, LLC
Robyn Lippert has been Senior Director of Operations at Culver Franchising System, LLC since November 2025, based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and was Director of Operations there from 2023 to 2025. Robyn Lippert was Franchise Business Consultant at Culver's Restaurants from 2017 to 2023 and Area Director/Joint Venture Partner at Panera Bread from 2013 to 2017.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope, such as a market, a region or company-wide operations, to the decision you face. Check when each person started the current role to judge how recent their view is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you change first when you took on your current operations role, and why?
- 02How do you decide which restaurant issues need your attention and which the restaurant teams should own?
- 03What has your own work taught you about supporting restaurants you do not run directly?
Reaching Culver's operations leaders
How can I contact one of these Culver's operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: Culver Franchising System, LLC and Culver's Franchising System, LLC, based on profile data retrieved on October 23, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Culver's operations leaders?
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Can an AI agent ask one of these Culver's operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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