Culver's franchisee asks Selma for $40,000 incentive to offset access and demolition costs

Kevin Whisler, a Culver's franchisee, asked the Town of Selma on June 5 to approve a $40,000 economic incentive to help offset unexpected costs tied to building a new Culver's restaurant on the former Shoney's site.

Whisler told the Town Council the project will require demolishing the existing Shoney's building, creating a new traffic access point and installing about $335,000 in restaurant equipment. "The additional costs we're expecting to have is about $150,000 of costs," Whisler said, adding the full project — land, building, equipment, signage and soft costs — is likely to total about $5.5 million.

Why it matters: council members said the request involves budget timing and public infrastructure constraints. Town staff and councilors discussed North Carolina Department of Transportation plans for a median on Outlet Center Drive that would limit driveway movements at the property, and Whisler said the franchise is negotiating with a neighboring private-road owner to create a new access from Bridal Future Way that serves the Retreat Apartments.

Discussion and timing: councilors said the incentive program categories limit how funds may be used and that any reimbursement should be scheduled outside the current fiscal year. A council member suggested reimbursement, if approved, be paid in fiscal year 2027. Whisler estimated closing on the land Aug. 21, demolition immediately after Labor Day and a target opening in the first quarter of 2026 if permits and construction proceed on schedule.

Council direction and next steps: the council did not vote on the incentive at the June 5 meeting. Instead, members asked staff to return with a refined proposal on Tuesday that specifies completion and reimbursement conditions, budget impact and whether the town's incentive list supports the requested Tier 2 award. "I don't think we need to immediately make a decision today," the mayor said, directing staff to prepare the item for the next meeting.

Costs and constraints noted in the meeting: Whisler said the franchisee expects to put about $335,000 in equipment into the restaurant and is asking for a $40,000 Tier 2 incentive (typically used for equipment under the town's incentive framework). He also told the council NCDOT plans for a median will effectively convert the existing access to right-in/right-out unless a new access is secured, increasing project cost. The council indicated the town's recommended budget for the coming year likely cannot absorb the request and recommended consideration in the FY27 budget cycle.