Construction Officially Underway for Culver’s Restaurant in Ashland
ASHLAND, Ohio — Construction has officially begun on a long-anticipated Culver’s restaurant at one of the busiest intersections in Ashland County, marking another significant step forward in the city’s continued economic growth. Site work is now underway at the corner of U.S. Route 250 and County Road 1575, directly across from Goasis.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony for the new Culver’s is scheduled for January 22, celebrating the arrival of the popular Midwest-based restaurant chain to Ashland. The franchise is owned and operated by Ryan Lehar, alongside business partners Josh Clark, Steve Buchmeier, Doug Lehar, and Pat Connors .
Culver’s is widely known for its signature menu offerings, including ButterBurgers made from fresh, never-frozen beef, fresh frozen custard prepared throughout the day, whole white-meat chicken, hand-battered North Atlantic cod and jumbo shrimp, and freshly prepared salads.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller praised the project and its location, calling it a catalyst for future development.
“We are so excited to see our friends from Culver’s begin their site work on what is one of the busiest corners in all of Ashland County,” Miller said. “Over the past two years we have worked with their company representatives to find the perfect site for their new restaurant, and I am so pleased that they have chosen this location.”
Mayor Miller added that the project could spark additional investment nearby.
“It’s kind of like the domino effect — sometimes it only takes one domino to fall before many other dominoes begin falling into place. I expect that in 2026 we will be able to announce additional restaurants around this site. I truly believe 2026 will be another big year for our great city,” he said. “With work continuing all throughout the Pump House District and in the city’s industrial park, I look forward to seeing our local economy grow in the coming year.”
Construction of the Ashland Culver’s is being handled by McCON Building Corporation, based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. On site this week, Bill Curry of McCON Building Corporation confirmed that crews have begun full site preparation.
“We are currently here breaking site to build a new Culver’s restaurant,” Curry said. “Usually one of these restaurants, from start to finish, is right at a six-month build, weather depending.”
Curry explained that the project involves full underground utilities, site grading, and construction of the building pad, all of which contribute to the overall timeline.
“Typically, a Culver’s restaurant will take right at six months from start to finish,” he said, noting that winter weather, including recent snow and forecasted rain, can impact daily progress.
McCON Building Corporation handles Culver’s construction projects across the country, with active job sites in states including Kansas, Iowa, Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio, according to Curry. He added that additional Culver’s projects are tentatively planned across Ohio in 2026 .
While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, construction progress suggests the Ashland Culver’s could be serving ButterBurgers and frozen custard to the community just after spring of this year.
